Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Everyone of you is a guardian and is responsible for his charges. The ruler who has authority over people, is a guardian and is responsible for them, a man is a guardian of his family and is responsible for them; a woman is a guardian of her husband's house and children and is responsible for them; a slave ('Abu) is a guardian of his master's property and is responsible for it; so all of you are guardians and are responsible for your charges."
Hadith on Guardianship and Responsibility
This profound hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari (2554) establishes the fundamental Islamic principle of responsibility (mas'uliyyah) that permeates all aspects of human relationships and social structure.
The Comprehensive Nature of Responsibility
The Prophet (ﷺ) begins with the universal declaration "Everyone of you is a guardian" - indicating that no Muslim is exempt from responsibility in their respective domains.
This teaching establishes that Islam views society as an interconnected network of responsibilities where each individual bears accountability before Allah for their designated trust (amanah).
Hierarchy of Responsibilities
Rulers: Bear the heaviest responsibility for the welfare, justice, and guidance of their subjects. Their guardianship encompasses both religious and worldly affairs of the community.
Men: As heads of households, they are responsible for providing religious guidance, material sustenance, and proper education for their families.
Women: Their guardianship over the husband's home and children represents the sacred trust of maintaining the domestic foundation of society and nurturing future generations.
Servants/Slaves: In the historical context, even those in servitude bore responsibility for their master's property, demonstrating that no position in society is devoid of accountability.
Scholarly Commentary on "Manumission of Slaves"
The inclusion of slaves in this hierarchy is particularly significant in the chapter of Manumission. Scholars note that by assigning responsibility to slaves, Islam elevated their human dignity and prepared them for eventual freedom and full integration into society.
Imam al-Qurtubi comments that this teaching establishes the spiritual equality of all humans before Allah, regardless of social status, while recognizing functional hierarchies necessary for social order.
Contemporary Application
This hadith provides the ethical foundation for modern leadership principles, family values, and professional ethics. It teaches that true faith manifests through responsible fulfillment of one's duties in whatever position Allah has placed them.
The ultimate accountability remains with Allah, before whom each guardian will be questioned about how they discharged their responsibilities.