Somebody said to Usama, "Will you go to so-and-so (i.e. `Uthman) and talk to him (i.e. advise him regarding ruling the country)?" He said, "You see that I don't talk to him. Really I talk to (advise) him secretly without opening a gate (of affliction), for neither do I want to be the first to open it (i.e. rebellion), nor will I say to a man who is my ruler that he is the best of all the people after I have heard something from Allah s Apostle ." They said, What have you heard him saying? He said, "I have heard him saying, "A man will be brought on the Day of Resurrection and thrown in the (Hell) Fire, so that his intestines will come out, and he will go around like a donkey goes around a millstone. The people of (Hell) Fire will gather around him and say: O so-and-so! What is wrong with you? Didn't you use to order us to do good deeds and forbid us to do bad deeds? He will reply: Yes, I used to order you to do good deeds, but I did not do them myself, and I used to forbid you to do bad deeds, yet I used to do them myself."
Beginning of Creation - Sahih al-Bukhari 3267
This narration from Usama ibn Zayd contains profound wisdom regarding political counsel and the spiritual danger faced by religious leaders who fail to practice what they preach.
Wisdom in Political Counsel
Usama demonstrates exemplary wisdom by refusing to publicly criticize the ruler Uthman ibn Affan. His approach of offering private counsel (nasiha) preserves social stability and avoids opening "the gate of affliction" - meaning civil strife and rebellion.
This reflects the Prophetic teaching that when we see something objectionable in governance, we should first advise privately rather than publicly denounce, thus maintaining communal harmony while still fulfilling the duty of sincere advice.
The Grave Consequences of Hypocrisy
The hadith describes the terrifying punishment awaiting religious scholars and leaders who command good but fail to practice it themselves. Such individuals will be among the most severely punished in the Hereafter because they misled others while knowing the truth.
The imagery of intestines spilling out and circling like a donkey around a millstone signifies eternal humiliation and unbearable torment. This serves as a grave warning to all who assume positions of religious authority to align their actions with their teachings.
Spiritual Lessons for Leadership
This narration teaches that true leadership requires personal integrity and consistency between speech and action. The most dangerous form of hypocrisy is when religious guides fail to follow their own guidance.
Every Muslim in a position of influence - whether as parent, teacher, or community leader - must constantly self-reflect to ensure their conduct matches their instruction, thus avoiding the severe accountability described in this authentic Prophetic tradition.