Sayyiduna Abu Layla al-Ash'ari (may Allah be pleased with him), a Companion of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), narrates from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said: "Hold firmly to obedience to your rulers and do not oppose them, for obedience to them is obedience to Allah Almighty, and disobedience to them is disobedience to Allah Almighty. Indeed, Allah Almighty has sent me to call to His path with wisdom and good admonition. Whoever succeeds me after me will be my ally; and whoever is put in charge of any of your affairs and acts otherwise, upon him is the curse of Allah Almighty, the angels and all mankind. Soon there will be rulers who, if mercy is sought from them, will not show mercy; if the right is asked of them, will not give it; and if they are commanded to do good, will refuse. Soon you will fear them, and your unity will be scattered, until, whenever they bind you to something, you will have to do it willingly or unwillingly. The more fitting course is that you do not take a stipend from them and do not attend their gatherings."
Al-Tabarani recorded it. Its chain contains a group of narrators whom I do not know.
Hadith Referenceمجمع الزوائد ومنبع الفوائد / كتاب الخلافة / 9115
Hadith Gradingمحدثین:إسنادہ ضعیف
Hadith Takhrij«اخرجه الطبراني فى المعجم الكبير ( 373/22)»