I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: The affairs of the people will continue to be conducted (well) as long as they are governed by twelve men. Then the Prophet (ﷺ) said words which were obscure to me. I asked my father: What did the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say? He said: All of the (twelve men) will be from the Quraish.
The Book on Government - Sahih Muslim 1821b
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. This tradition from Jabir ibn Samurah, preserved in Sahih Muslim, addresses the critical matter of righteous leadership and its profound impact upon the Muslim community's welfare.
Commentary on the Hadith Text
The Prophet's statement "The affairs of the people will continue to be conducted (well)" indicates that proper governance and religious integrity are directly tied to righteous leadership. The term "conducted well" encompasses both worldly administration and religious preservation.
The number twelve holds significance in Islamic tradition, representing completeness and divine decree, much like the twelve months in a year or twelve tribes of Israel. This number symbolizes successive righteous leaders who will maintain the Shariah.
The clarification that all twelve are from Quraish establishes the Prophetic wisdom in maintaining tribal continuity for political stability, as Quraish held recognized authority among Arabs, preventing potential conflicts over leadership.
Scholarly Interpretations
Classical scholars differ regarding the identity of these twelve leaders. Some interpret them as the first four Rightly Guided Caliphs along with eight Umayyad and Abbasid caliphs who generally upheld justice. Others view them as including the Mahdi who will appear at the end of time.
Imam An-Nawawi explains this refers to leaders who will appear throughout Islamic history until the Hour is established, during whose reigns the religion remains manifest and the community united under Islamic governance.
The wisdom behind specifying Quraish lineage lies in preventing civil strife, as this tribe enjoyed universal recognition of their leadership status, thus maintaining communal unity and preventing destructive power struggles.
Contemporary Relevance
This hadith emphasizes the Islamic requirement for qualified leadership that implements divine law, reminding Muslims that political stability and religious preservation are interconnected responsibilities.
The tradition encourages Muslims to seek knowledgeable, just leaders who govern by Quran and Sunnah, while accepting the Prophetic wisdom in establishing criteria for leadership that ensures communal harmony.