The Book of al-Bay'ah

Ibn Umar said: When we pledged to the Messenger of Allah to listen and obey, he would say to us: As much as you are able.

Jarir ibn Abdullah said: I pledged to the Prophet to listen and obey, and he prompted me to add: As much as you are able, and to act sincerely toward every Muslim.

Umaymah bint Ruqayqah said: We pledged to the Messenger of Allah along with a group of women, and he told us: As much as you are able.

Abd al-Rahman ibn Abd Rabb al-Kabah said: I came upon Abdullah ibn Amr while he sat in the shade of the Kaaba with people gathered around him. I heard him recount: While we were traveling with the Messenger of Allah, we stopped to camp. Some pitched tents, some practiced archery, and some tended their animals. Then the Prophet caller announced that the prayer was gathering, and we assembled. The Prophet stood and addressed us: Every prophet before me was duty-bound to guide his community to what he knew was good for them and warn them against what he knew was bad for them. The well-being of this community has been placed in its early generations, while its later generations will face trials and matters they disapprove of. Trials will follow one another, and a believer will say: This one will destroy me; then it will pass. Another trial will come, and he will say: This one will destroy me; then it will pass. Whoever wishes to be kept far from the Fire and admitted to Paradise, let death come to him while he believes in Allah and the Last Day, and let him treat people as he would wish to be treated. Whoever pledges allegiance to a leader, giving him his hand and wholehearted commitment, must obey him as far as he can. If someone else comes to contest his authority, strike the neck of the latter. Abd al-Rahman said: I came near Abdullah and asked whether he had heard the Messenger of Allah say this. He said yes and related the report.

Yahya ibn Husayn said: I heard my grandmother say that she heard the Messenger of Allah say during the Farewell Pilgrimage: Even if an Ethiopian slave is appointed over you and leads you by the Book of Allah, listen to him and obey.

Abu Hurayrah reported that the Messenger of Allah said: Whoever obeys me has obeyed Allah, and whoever disobeys me has disobeyed Allah. Whoever obeys my appointed leader has obeyed me, and whoever disobeys my appointed leader has disobeyed me.

Ibn Abbas said regarding the verse, Believers, obey Allah and obey the Messenger: It was revealed concerning Abdullah ibn Hudhafah ibn Qays ibn Adi, whom the Messenger of Allah appointed over a military expedition.

Muadh ibn Jabal reported that the Messenger of Allah said: Military campaigns are of two kinds. Whoever seeks Allah pleasure, obeys the leader, spends what is precious, and avoids wrongdoing will be rewarded in all circumstances, asleep or awake. Whoever campaigns for show and reputation, disobeys the leader, and spreads corruption returns with nothing.

Abu Hurayrah reported that the Messenger of Allah said: The leader is a shield; fighting is done under his command and protection is sought through him. If he commands reverence for Allah and acts justly, he is rewarded; if he commands otherwise, the sin is upon him.

Tamim al-Dari reported that the Messenger of Allah said: Religion is sincere counsel. They asked: To whom, Messenger of Allah? He replied: To Allah, His Book, His Messenger, the leaders of the Muslims, and the common people.

Tamim al-Dari reported that the Messenger of Allah said: Religion is sincere counsel. They asked: To whom, Messenger of Allah? He replied: To Allah, His Book, His Messenger, the leaders of the Muslims, and the common people.

Abu Hurayrah reported that the Messenger of Allah said three times: Religion is sincere counsel. They asked: To whom, Messenger of Allah? He replied: To Allah, His Book, His Messenger, the leaders of the Muslims, and the common people.

Abu Hurayrah reported that the Messenger of Allah said: Religion is sincere counsel. They asked: To whom, Messenger of Allah? He replied: To Allah, His Book, His Messenger, the leaders of the Muslims, and their common people.

Abu Hurayrah reported that the Messenger of Allah said: Every ruler has two groups of close advisers: one urges him to do what is right and forbids what is wrong; the other spares no effort to corrupt him. Whoever is protected from the latter group evil is protected. The ruler follows whichever group has greater influence over him.

Abu Said reported that the Messenger of Allah said: Whenever Allah sent a prophet or appointed a successor, he had two groups of close advisers: one urged him to do good, and the other urged him to do evil. The one truly protected is the one Allah, Mighty and Sublime, protects.

Abu Ayyub reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah say: No prophet was sent, nor was any successor appointed after him, without having two groups of close advisers: one urges him to do what is right and forbids what is wrong; the other spares no effort to corrupt him. Whoever is protected from the bad advisers is protected.

Al-Qasim ibn Muhammad said: I heard my paternal aunt say that the Messenger of Allah said: If one of you is appointed to a position of authority and Allah intends good for him, He gives him a righteous minister who reminds him when he forgets and helps him when he remembers.

Ali reported that the Messenger of Allah sent out an army and appointed a man over them. The man lit a fire and ordered them to enter it. Some intended to enter, while others said they had only fled from the fire. They told the Messenger of Allah, who said to those who intended to enter: If you had entered it, you would have remained there until the Day of Resurrection. He spoke kindly to the others, and Abu Musa related that he praised them. The Messenger of Allah said: There is no obedience in disobedience to Allah; obedience is only in what is right.

Ibn Umar reported that the Messenger of Allah said: A Muslim must listen and obey in what he likes and dislikes, unless he is ordered to disobey Allah. If ordered to disobey Him, there is no listening or obedience.

Ka b ibn Ujrah said: The Messenger of Allah came out to us while we were nine. He said: After me there will be rulers. Whoever believes their lies and assists their wrongdoing is not of me, nor am I of him, and he will not come to my Basin. Whoever does not believe their lies or assist their wrongdoing is of me and I am of him, and he will come to my Basin.