I heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) saying, "All of you are Guardians." Yunis said: Ruzaiq bin Hukaim wrote to Ibn Shihab while I was with him at Wadi-al-Qura saying, "Shall I lead the Jumua prayer?" Ruzaiq was working on the land (i.e. farming) and there was a group of Sudanese people and some others with him; Ruzaiq was then the Governor of Aila. Ibn Shihab wrote (to Ruzaiq) ordering him to lead the Jumua prayer and telling him that Salim told him that `Abdullah bin `Umar had said, "I heard Allah's Apostle saying, 'All of you are guardians and responsible for your wards and the things under your care. The Imam (i.e. ruler) is the guardian of his subjects and is responsible for them and a man is the guardian of his family and is responsible for them. A woman is the guardian of her husband's house and is responsible for it. A servant is the guardian of his master's belongings and is responsible for them.' I thought that he also said, 'A man is the guardian of his father's property and is responsible for it. All of you are guardians and responsible for your wards and the things under your care."
The Principle of Universal Responsibility
The noble hadith establishes the foundational Islamic principle that every individual bears responsibility according to their capacity and position. The Prophet's declaration "All of you are guardians" indicates this is a universal religious obligation (taklīf sharʿī) applicable to all Muslims regardless of status.
Hierarchy of Responsibilities
The hadith delineates a comprehensive hierarchy of responsibilities: The ruler bears responsibility for his subjects' welfare and governance. The man is responsible for providing spiritual and material guidance to his family. The woman maintains the sanctity and management of the household. The servant protects his master's property with integrity.
This hierarchy demonstrates Islam's comprehensive social system where everyone fulfills their duties to maintain societal equilibrium (miẓān).
Legal Ruling on Friday Prayer Leadership
The narrative concerning Ruzaiq bin Hukaim illustrates the application of these principles. Ibn Shihab's ruling that Ruzaiq should lead Jumuʿah prayer despite being engaged in farming demonstrates that religious obligations take precedence over worldly occupations for those in authority.
This establishes that governors must prioritize their religious duties, including leading congregational prayers, as part of their guardianship responsibility.
Spiritual and Social Implications
The repetition of "guardians and responsible" emphasizes the gravity of this trust (amānah). Each person will be accountable before Allah for how they discharged their responsibilities.
This teaching fosters a society based on mutual responsibility rather than individual rights alone, creating a cohesive community where everyone protects and cares for what has been entrusted to them.