"The Messenger of Allah said to me: 'I seek refuge in Allah for you O Ka'b bin Ujrah from leader that will be after me. Whoever comes to their doors to approve of their lies and supports them in their oppression, then he is not of me and I am not of him, and he will not meet me at the Hawd. And whoever comes to their doors, or he does not come, and he does not approve of their lies and he does not support them in their oppression, then he is from me and I am from him, and he will meet me at the Hawd. Ka'ab bin Ujrah! Salat is clear proof, and Sawm (fasting) is an impregnable shield, and Sadaqah (charity) extinguishes sins just as water extinguishes fire. O Ka'b bin Ujrah! There is no flesh raised that sprouts from the unlawful except that the Fire is more appropriate for it.'"
Hadith Commentary: Warning Against Unjust Rulers
This profound narration from Jami' at-Tirmidhi (Hadith 614) contains multiple layers of wisdom regarding political ethics, spiritual accountability, and personal piety. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) addresses Ka'b bin Ujrah with grave warnings about future leadership, establishing clear boundaries for Muslim conduct toward authority figures.
Scholarly Analysis of Political Stance
Classical scholars explain that the Prophet's seeking refuge for Ka'b indicates the severity of the trial posed by corrupt leadership. The phrase "whoever comes to their doors" signifies seeking proximity to oppressive rulers for worldly gain.
Approving their lies means accepting their falsehoods as truth, while supporting their oppression includes actively participating in or silently condoning their injustices. Such individuals sever their spiritual connection with the Prophet (ﷺ).
The Hawd (Cistern) refers to the Prophet's reservoir in Paradise where believers will drink before entry. Being denied this meeting represents ultimate spiritual loss.
The Three Pillars of Protection
The Prophet then outlines three spiritual safeguards: Salat (prayer) as "clear proof" establishes one's faith and provides evidence for the believer on Judgment Day. Sawm (fasting) serves as an "impregnable shield" protecting from sins and divine punishment. Sadaqah (charity) "extinguishes sins" by erasing minor transgressions through divine mercy.
Final Warning on Illicit Sustenance
The concluding warning about flesh nourished by unlawful means emphasizes the spiritual consequences of haram consumption. Classical commentators note that consistently consuming unlawful wealth makes one's entire being susceptible to Hellfire, as the body becomes accustomed to what Allah has prohibited.