Sunan an-Nasa'i
Sunan an-Nasa'i 4154
Pledging Obedience Even When Other Are Preferred Over Us
Arabic hadith text
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْوَلِيدِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدٌ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ سَيَّارٍ، وَيَحْيَى بْنِ سَعِيدٍ، أَنَّهُمَا سَمِعَا عُبَادَةَ بْنَ الْوَلِيدِ، يُحَدِّثُ عَنْ أَبِيهِ، - أَمَّا سَيَّارٌ فَقَالَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ، وَأَمَّا، يَحْيَى فَقَالَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ جَدِّهِ، - قَالَبَايَعْنَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَلَى السَّمْعِ وَالطَّاعَةِ فِي عُسْرِنَا وَيُسْرِنَا وَمَنْشَطِنَا وَمَكْرَهِنَا وَأَثَرَةٍ عَلَيْنَا وَأَنْ لاَ نُنَازِعَ الأَمْرَ أَهْلَهُ وَأَنْ نَقُومَ بِالْحَقِّ حَيْثُمَا كَانَ لاَ نَخَافُ فِي اللَّهِ لَوْمَةَ لاَئِمٍ .قَالَ شُعْبَةُ سَيَّارٌ لَمْ يَذْكُرْ هَذَا الْحَرْفَ حَيْثُمَا كَانَ وَذَكَرَهُ يَحْيَى . قَالَ شُعْبَةُ إِنْ كُنْتُ زِدْتُ فِيهِ شَيْئًا فَهُوَ عَنْ سَيَّارٍ أَوْ عَنْ يَحْيَى
Translation
It was narrated from Shu'bah, from Sayyar and Yahya bin Sa'eed that they heard 'Ubadah bin Al-Walid narrating from his father. Sayyar said
"From his father," and Yahya said: "From his father," from his grandfather, whom said: 'We pledged to the Messenger of Allah to hear and obey during our hardship and our ease, when we felt energetic and when we felt tired, and when others are preferred over us, that we would not contend with the orders of whomever was entrusted with it, that we would stand firm for the truth wherever it may be, and that we would not fear the blame of any blamer for the sake of Allah." (Sahih)Shu'bah said: "Sayyar did not mention this statement: 'Wherever it may be' while Yahya mentioned it." Shu'bah said: "If I have added anything to it, then it is from Sayyar or from Yahya."
Overview & Central Theme
This hadith from Sunan an-Nasa'i (4154) encapsulates the comprehensive nature of the pledge of allegiance (bay'ah) given to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, establishing the foundational principles of obedience to legitimate authority within the bounds of Islamic governance. The central theme revolves around unwavering commitment to hear and obey in all circumstances—prosperity and adversity, ease and difficulty—while simultaneously affirming the paramount duty of upholding truth and justice, even when it requires opposing unjust preferences or enduring criticism. The narration underscores the delicate balance between obedience to rulers and steadfastness in truth, a hallmark of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah's methodology.
Context & Linguistic Insights
The hadith is transmitted through Sayyar ibn Abi al-Hakam from his father from his grandfather, who was present at the pledge. The term bay'ah (pledge) derives from the root b-y-‘ signifying a mutual contract of allegiance, akin to a commercial transaction where both parties commit. The phrase "hear and obey" (al-sam' wa al-tā'ah) indicates comprehensive compliance, while "in our hardship and ease" (fī 'usrinā wa yusrinā) covers all states of life. The clause "when others are preferred over us" (wa atharata 'alaynā) refers to situations where rulers may favor others in worldly distributions, yet obedience remains obligatory. The final phrase "we would not fear the blame of any blamer" (wa lā nakhāfu fī Allāhi lawmata lā'im) echoes Quranic principles (Q. 5:54), emphasizing courage in upholding truth. Notably, the narrator Shu'bah highlights a transmission variance regarding the phrase "wherever it may be" (haythu mā kāna), underscoring the meticulousness of hadith scholars in preserving exact wording.
Key Scholarly Insights & Legal Benefits
Daily Life & Spiritual Application
In our contemporary context, this hadith teaches Muslims to cultivate a balanced disposition: demonstrating patience and obedience toward legitimate authorities in matters of public welfare, while maintaining an unwavering commitment to truth and justice in personal and communal affairs. Practically, this means engaging constructively with leadership, avoiding rebellion and chaos, yet speaking out against injustice through lawful means—whether by sincere counsel, advocacy, or peaceful reform. Spiritually, it calls for inner resilience: to act rightly regardless of external approval, to prioritize Allah's pleasure over human praise or blame, and to embody integrity in every circumstance. By internalizing this pledge, the believer transforms daily interactions into acts of worship, upholding justice in family, workplace, and society, thereby manifesting the prophetic character of steadfastness and moral courage.