The Book on Government

كتاب الإمارة

Chapter 8: The obligation of obeying leaders in matters that do not involve sin, but it is forbidden to obey them in sinful matters

In other versions of the above tradition, the wordings are" an Abyssinian slave." and" a maimed Abyssinian slave".

It has been narrated on the authority of Abu 'Abd al-Rahman from 'Ali that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) sent a force (on a mission) and appointed over them a man. He kindled a fire and said

Enter it. Some people made up their minds to enter it (the fire), (carrying out the order of their commander), but the others said: We fled from the fire (that's why we have come into the fold of Islam). The matter was reported to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). He said to those who Contemplated entering (the fire at the order of their commander): If you had entered it, you would have remained there until the Day of Judgment. He commanded the act of the latter group and said: There is no submission in matters involving God's disobedience or displeasure. Submission is obligatory only in what is good (and reasonable).

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of 'Ubada b. Walid with the same chain of transmitters.

It has been narrated on the authority of Junida b. Abu Umayya who said

We called upon 'Ubada b. Samit who was ill and said to him: May God give you health I Narrate to us a tradition which God may prove beneficial (to us) and which you have heard from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). He said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) called us and we took the oath of allegiance to him. Among the injunctions he made binding upon us was: Listening and obedience (to the Amir) in our pleasure and displeasure, in our adversity and prosperity, even when somebody is given preference over us, and without disputing the delegation of powers to a man duly invested with them (Obedience shall be accorded to him in all circumstances) except when you have clear signs of his disbelief in (or disobedience to) God-signs that could be used as a conscientious justification (for non-compliance with his orders).

Chapter 9: The ruler is a shield from behind whom they fight and by whom they are protected

It has been narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Prophet of Allah (ﷺ) said

A commander (of the Muslims) is a shield for them. They fight behind him and they are protected by (him from tyrants and aggressors). If he enjoins fear of God, the Exalted and Glorious, and dispenses justice, there will be a (great) reward for him; and if he enjoins otherwise, it redounds on him.

Chapter 10: The obligation of fulfilling oaths of allegiance is owed to the first of two Caliphs

The same tradition has been transmitted by a different chain of narrators.

Chapter 13: The obligation of staying with the Jama'ah (main body) of the muslims when Fitn (tribulations) appear, and in all circumstances. The prohibition of refusing to obey and on splitting away from the Jama'ah

The same tradition has been narrated by the same authority through another chain of transmitters with a slight difference in wording.

It has been narrated on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas that the messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said

One who found in his Amir something which he disliked should hold his patience, for one who separated from the main body of the Muslims even to the extent of a handspan and then he died would die the death of one belonging to the days of Jahiliyya.

It has been narrated (through a different chain of transmitters) on the authority of Ibn Abbas that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upoh him) said

One who dislikes a thing done by his Amir should be patient over it, for anyone from the people who withdraws (his obedience) from the government, even to the extent of a handspan and died in that conditions, would die the death of one belonging to the days of jahilliyya.

Chapter 14: The ruling on one who seeks to divide the muslims when they are united

It has been narrated on the authority of 'Arfaja who said

I have heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: Different evils will make their appearance in the near future. Anyone who tries to disrupt the affairs of this Umma while they are united you should strike him with the sword whoever he be. (If remonstrance does not prevail with him and he does not desist from his disruptive activities, he is to be killed.)

In another version of the tradition narrated on the same authority through a different chains of transmitters we have the words

" Kill him."

Chapter 15: When allegiance has been sworn to two caliphs

It has been narrated on the authority of Aba Sa'id al-Khudri that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said

When oath of allegiance has been taken for two caliphs, kill the one for whom the oath was taken later.

Chapter 16: The obligation to denounce rulers for that in which they go against Shari'ah, but they should not be fought so long as they pray regularly, etc

It has been narrated on the authority of Umm Salama that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said

In the near future there will be Amirs and you will like their good deeds and dislike their bad deeds. One who sees through their bad deeds (and tries to prevent their repetition by his band or through his speech), is absolved from blame, but one who hates their bad deeds (in the heart of his heart, being unable to prevent their recurrence by his hand or his tongue), is (also) fafe ( so far as God's wrath is concerned). But one who approves of their bad deeds and imitates them is spiritually ruined. People asked (the Holy Prophet): Shouldn't we fight against them? He replied: No, as long as they say their prayers.

Chapter 17: The best and worst of rulers

The above hadith has been narrated through addtional chains of transmitters.

Chapter 18: It is recommended for the army to swear allegiance to the ruler when intending to fight, and an account of Bay'at Ar-Ridwan beneath the tree

It has been narrated (through a different chain of transmitters) on the authority of Jabir who said

While swearing fealty to the Prophet (ﷺ) we did not take the oath to death but that we would not run away (from the battlefield).

It has been narrated (through a different chain of transmitters) on the authority of Jabir who said

We were one thousand and four hundred on the Day of Hudaibiya when the Prophet (ﷺ) said to us: Today you are the best people on the earth. And Jabir said: If I had the eyesight, I could show you the place of the tree.

It has been narrated on the authority of Ma'qil b. Yasar who aaid

I remember being present on the Day of the Tree, and the Prophet (ﷺ) was taking the oath of the people and I was holding a twig of the tree over his head. We were fourteen hundred (in number). We did not take oath to the death, but to the effect that we would not run away from the battlefield.

It has been narrated on the authority of Abdullah b. Zaid who said

A person came to him and said: Here is Ibn Hanzala who is making people swear allegiance to him. He (, Abdullah) asked: To what effect? He replied: To the effect that they will die for him. 'Abdullah said: I will never swear allegiance to this effect after the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ).

Chapter 19: The prohibition against a Muhajir returning to settle in his former homeland

It has been narrated by Salama b. al-Akwa' that he visited al-Hajjaj who said to him

O son of al-Akwa', you have turned apostate and have come to live again in the desert with the Bedouins (after your migration). He said: No, but the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) has permitted me to live in the desert.

Chapter 20: Swearing Allegiance and Pledging to adhere to Islam, to engage in Jihad and to do Good, after the conquest of Makkah, and the meaning of the phrase: "There is No Hijrah (migration) after the Conquest."

It has been reported on the authority of Mujashi' b. Mas'ud as-Sulami who said

I came to the Prophet (ﷺ) to offer him my pledge of migration. He said: The period of migration has expired (and those who wereto get the reward for this great act of devotion have got it). You may now give your pledge to serve the cause of Islam, to strive in the way of Allah and to follow the path of virtue.