It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The leadership and governance of the Children of Israel was carried out by their prophets themselves; whenever a prophet passed away, another prophet succeeded him. And the fact is that after me there will be no prophet among you." The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) said: "O Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), then what will happen?" He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Soon there will be caliphs, and they will be many." The Companions said: "(At the time of their disputes) what should we do?" He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Fulfil the pledge of allegiance to the first, then the first after him, and give them the right that is due from you; surely Allah Almighty will ask them about their responsibilities towards their subjects." In the narration of Uthman (may Allah have mercy on him), the words are: "The prophets governed them."
Hadith Referenceمسند أبي يعلى الموصلي / تابع مسند أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه / 6211
Hadith Gradingمحدثین:إسناده صحيح
Hadith Takhrij«حکم الحدیث مسند ابی یعلی محققاً تنسیق حسين سليم أسد - مکتبہ شاملہ :قال حسين سليم أسد: إسناده صحيح . » «قال سعيد بن محمد السناري: صحيح» «أخرجه صحيح البخاري برقم: 3268، وأخرجه صحيح مسلم برقم: 1842، وأخرجه سنن ابن ماجه برقم: 2871، وأخرجه مسند أحمد برقم: 7900، وأخرجه فتح الباري برقم: 3265، 6644، مسند ابویعلیٰ ترقیم الاثری: 6183»