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سنن ابي داود
Abu Dawud
كتاب الخراج والفيء والإمارةTribute, Spoils, and Rulership (Kitab Al-Kharaj, Wal-Fai Wal-Imarah)
باب فِي الْعِرَافَةِChapter: Regarding Al-’Arafah.
Hadith 2933
اُردوEn
حَدَّثَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ عُثْمَانَ ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ ، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ سُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ سُلَيْمٍ ، عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ جَابِرٍ ، عَنْ صَالِحِ بْنِ يَحْيَى بْنِ الْمِقْدَامِ ،عَنْ جَدِّهِ الْمِقْدَامِ بْنِ مَعْدِ يكَرِبَ ، أَنّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ضَرَبَ عَلَى مَنْكِبِهِ ، ثُمَّ قَالَ : " لَهُ أَفْلَحْتَ يَا قُدَيْمُ إِنْ مُتَّ وَلَمْ تَكُنْ أَمِيرًا وَلَا كَاتِبًا وَلَا عَرِيفًا " .
Narrated Al-Miqdam ibn Madikarib: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ struck him on his shoulders and then said: You will attain success, Qudaym, if you die without having been a ruler, a secretary, or a chief.
Brief Explanation
1؎: ‘Areef: The one who introduces his companions, the one who looks after the affairs of his people, a naqib (representative). He is of a lower rank than the ruler, and he informs the ruler about the conduct and behavior of every individual of his people, and apprises him of both good and bad matters.
2؎: This is because in every governmental position there is always the fear of accountability and negligence in duty; for this reason, the Salaf (pious predecessors) considered agriculture and trade to be better than government employment.
2؎: This is because in every governmental position there is always the fear of accountability and negligence in duty; for this reason, the Salaf (pious predecessors) considered agriculture and trade to be better than government employment.
Explanation & Benefits
Shaykh Umar Farooq Saeedi
Benefits and Issues:
Both hadiths of this chapter are weak in terms of chain of narration (isnad).
However, from this hadith and the previous one, it is understood that the system of the ‘arif (village headman) or the chieftain and elder of the village has existed since ancient times.
And these people, according to traditions of the past, used to fulfill an important need of society.
But many inappropriate things, such as imbalance in representation and neglect of some people's rights, were also committed by them.
Fulfilling responsibilities by following this ancient method was not in accordance with Islam’s concept of justice, but until honest and trained personnel could be obtained,
and until they could be appointed everywhere,
it was unavoidable to employ these same people.
The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and his caliphs adopted various methods for the representation, administration, and management of different communities.
Sometimes, after giving religious training to those who had accepted Islam from among the tribes, these responsibilities were entrusted to them.
Sometimes, the previous ‘arifs were kept in their positions with new instructions.
Sometimes, people from their own trained team were sent.
Sometimes, trainers were sent,
who would prepare the local individuals, entrust the local affairs to them, and then return.
All these methods are mentioned in authentic hadiths.
In addition, the responsibilities of governmental positions are very severe in terms of both this world and the Hereafter.
But if these duties are fulfilled with faith and honesty, then the reward is also very great.
Both hadiths of this chapter are weak in terms of chain of narration (isnad).
However, from this hadith and the previous one, it is understood that the system of the ‘arif (village headman) or the chieftain and elder of the village has existed since ancient times.
And these people, according to traditions of the past, used to fulfill an important need of society.
But many inappropriate things, such as imbalance in representation and neglect of some people's rights, were also committed by them.
Fulfilling responsibilities by following this ancient method was not in accordance with Islam’s concept of justice, but until honest and trained personnel could be obtained,
and until they could be appointed everywhere,
it was unavoidable to employ these same people.
The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and his caliphs adopted various methods for the representation, administration, and management of different communities.
Sometimes, after giving religious training to those who had accepted Islam from among the tribes, these responsibilities were entrusted to them.
Sometimes, the previous ‘arifs were kept in their positions with new instructions.
Sometimes, people from their own trained team were sent.
Sometimes, trainers were sent,
who would prepare the local individuals, entrust the local affairs to them, and then return.
All these methods are mentioned in authentic hadiths.
In addition, the responsibilities of governmental positions are very severe in terms of both this world and the Hereafter.
But if these duties are fulfilled with faith and honesty, then the reward is also very great.
Source: Sunan Abu Dawood – Commentary by Shaykh Umar Farooq Saeedi, Page: 2933
