The Offices of Commander and Qadi - Mishkat al-Masabih 3662

In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. This tradition from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) addresses the fundamental Islamic principle of obedience to legitimate authority, regardless of the leader's physical condition or social status.

Commentary on the Hadith Text

The phrase "slave who has been mutilated" refers to one who may lack physical perfection or noble lineage according to worldly standards. The Prophet emphasizes that these external conditions do not disqualify one from leadership if they possess the essential qualification: adherence to God's Book.

The condition "leads you in accordance with God's Book" establishes the crucial limitation on obedience. A leader must govern by Islamic principles derived from the Quran. Should they deviate from divine law, the obligation of obedience ceases, as established in other authentic traditions.

Scholarly Interpretation

Imam Nawawi explains in his commentary on Sahih Muslim that this hadith demonstrates Islam's emphasis on substance over form. What matters in leadership is righteousness and adherence to divine guidance, not physical appearance or social standing.

Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani notes that the term "mutilated" serves to emphasize the point - if even someone with such apparent disqualifications must be obeyed when ruling by Quranic principles, then how much more so must we obey those who lack such apparent shortcomings?

Practical Application

This teaching establishes that Muslims should judge their leaders by their commitment to Islamic law rather than superficial qualities. It promotes a merit-based system where piety and knowledge take precedence over wealth, lineage, or physical appearance.

The hadith also serves as a reminder that leadership in Islam is a trust (amanah) to be discharged according to divine guidelines, not personal whim or desire.