Author: Dr. Muhammad Ziya-ur-Rahman A'zami (رحمه الله)
Chapter: The Slave is a Guardian and Responsible for His Master’s Wealth
«باب: العبد راعٍ وهو مسؤولٌ في مال سيده»
❖ «عن عبد الله رضي الله عنه، أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: كلكم راعٍ فمسؤولٌ عن رعيته...»
[Agreed Upon: Reported by al-Bukhārī 2554; Muslim 1829]
Narrated by ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar (رضي الله عنهما):
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Every one of you is a shepherd, and each of you is responsible for his flock.
— The ruler over the people is a guardian and is accountable for them.
— A man is a guardian over his household and is responsible for them.
— A woman is a guardian over her husband’s home and children, and she is responsible for them.
— A servant is a guardian over his master’s wealth and is responsible for it.
Indeed, each of you is a shepherd, and each of you is accountable for his flock.”
✔ Responsibility is a universal duty in Islam — it applies to every individual.
✔ Every role, whether high or low in status, carries moral and spiritual accountability.
✔ Even a slave is entrusted with his master's property and will be questioned regarding it.
✔ This Hadith establishes a foundation for trust, justice, and conscientious living in all areas of life.
Chapter: The Slave is a Guardian and Responsible for His Master’s Wealth
«باب: العبد راعٍ وهو مسؤولٌ في مال سيده»
✦ Comprehensive Accountability in Islam
❖ «عن عبد الله رضي الله عنه، أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: كلكم راعٍ فمسؤولٌ عن رعيته...»
[Agreed Upon: Reported by al-Bukhārī 2554; Muslim 1829]
Narrated by ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar (رضي الله عنهما):
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Every one of you is a shepherd, and each of you is responsible for his flock.
— The ruler over the people is a guardian and is accountable for them.
— A man is a guardian over his household and is responsible for them.
— A woman is a guardian over her husband’s home and children, and she is responsible for them.
— A servant is a guardian over his master’s wealth and is responsible for it.
Indeed, each of you is a shepherd, and each of you is accountable for his flock.”
✦ Key Teachings and Reflections
✔ Responsibility is a universal duty in Islam — it applies to every individual.
✔ Every role, whether high or low in status, carries moral and spiritual accountability.
✔ Even a slave is entrusted with his master's property and will be questioned regarding it.
✔ This Hadith establishes a foundation for trust, justice, and conscientious living in all areas of life.
