Ibn 'Umar saw a shepherd with some sheep in a bad place and saw a place which was better than it. He told him, "Woe to you, shepherd! Move them! I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, 'Every shepherd is responsible for his flock.'"
The Responsibility of Leadership
This narration from Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 416 demonstrates the profound Islamic principle that every person in a position of responsibility - whether over animals, employees, family, or community - bears accountability for those under their care.
The Scholar's Commentary
Ibn 'Umar's immediate intervention reflects the Islamic ethic of enjoining good and forbidding evil. He did not remain silent upon seeing negligence but offered constructive guidance by pointing to better pasture.
The phrase "Woe to you" (wayluka) serves as a strong warning against negligence in stewardship, emphasizing the gravity of responsibility in Islamic teachings.
The Prophet's statement "Every shepherd is responsible for his flock" establishes a universal principle extending beyond literal shepherding to all forms of leadership and guardianship in society.
Practical Applications
Parents are shepherds over their children and will be questioned about their upbringing and education.
Rulers are shepherds over their citizens and will be accountable for justice and welfare.
Employers are shepherds over their employees and must ensure fair treatment and proper working conditions.
This teaching encourages proactive care rather than passive supervision, as demonstrated by Ibn 'Umar's specific guidance to move the sheep to better pasture.