✍ Written by: Imran Ayyub Lahori
It is the duty of rulers to:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
ما من عبدٍ يسترعيه الله رعيةً، يموت يوم يموت وهو غاشٌ لرعيته، إلا حرم الله عليه الجنة
“No servant whom Allah places in charge of a people dies while deceiving those under his care, except that Allah makes Paradise forbidden for him.”
[Al-Bukhārī: 7150–7151, Kitāb al-Aḥkām: Bāb Man Istar‘ā Ra‘iyyah Falam Yanṣaḥ; Muslim: 142]
The Prophet ﷺ said:
اللهم من ولي من أمر أمتي شيئا فرفق بهم فارفق به
“O Allah! Whoever is put in charge of any matter concerning my Ummah and treats them gently, then treat him gently (in return).”
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1828, Kitāb al-Imārah: Bāb Faḍīlat al-Imām al-ʿĀdil]
The Prophet ﷺ said:
ما من أميرٍ يلي أمور المسلمين ثم لا يجتهد لهم ولا ينصح لهم إلا لم يدخل الجنة
“Any ruler who assumes authority over the Muslims and does not strive for their welfare and offer them sincere advice will not enter Paradise.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 142, Kitāb al-Īmān: Bāb Istiḥqāq al-Wālī al-Ghāsh li-Ra‘iyyatihi an-Nār]
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
والإمام الذي على الناس راعٍ، وهو مسؤولٌ من رعيته
“The ruler who has authority over the people is a shepherd, and he is responsible for his flock.”
[Al-Bukhārī: 7138, Kitāb al-Aḥkām: Bāb Qawl Allāh Taʿālā: أطيعوا الله وأطيعوا الرسول وأولي الأمر منكم]
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
إن شر الرعاء الحطمة
“The worst of rulers are those who are harsh and oppressive toward their subjects.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1830, Kitāb al-Imārah: Bāb Faḍīlat al-Imām al-ʿĀdil]
✔ To rule according to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
✔ To act with justice, mercy, and sincerity toward their citizens.
✔ To protect the religion, honor, and security of the Muslims.
✔ To spend public funds only where Sharī‘ah allows.
✔ To avoid betraying or deceiving the people, for such deception leads to the punishment of Hell and the deprivation of Paradise.
✔ To be approachable and compassionate, avoiding tyranny, arrogance, and neglect.
Islamic leadership is a trust (amānah) — not a privilege.
Rulers will be held accountable before Allah for every individual under their care.
Their success and salvation depend on justice, sincerity, and fulfilling the rights of their people.
Conversely, oppression and negligence are among the gravest sins, leading to Divine punishment and loss of Paradise.
✿ Duties of the Rulers in Islam
It is the duty of rulers to:
- Protect the lives, honor, and property of the Muslims.
- Prevent oppression and injustice.
- Safeguard the borders of the Muslim lands.
- Administer personal, religious, and financial matters in accordance with the Sharī‘ah.
- Spend the wealth of Allah (public funds) in their rightful places.
- Fulfill obligatory duties and go beyond them by acting with sincerity and goodwill.
- Strive for the reformation of both their inner and outer character with utmost diligence.
◈ ① Ḥadīth of Ma‘qil bin Yasār رضي الله عنه
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
ما من عبدٍ يسترعيه الله رعيةً، يموت يوم يموت وهو غاشٌ لرعيته، إلا حرم الله عليه الجنة
“No servant whom Allah places in charge of a people dies while deceiving those under his care, except that Allah makes Paradise forbidden for him.”
[Al-Bukhārī: 7150–7151, Kitāb al-Aḥkām: Bāb Man Istar‘ā Ra‘iyyah Falam Yanṣaḥ; Muslim: 142]◈ ② Ḥadīth of ʿĀ’ishah رضي الله عنها
The Prophet ﷺ said:
اللهم من ولي من أمر أمتي شيئا فرفق بهم فارفق به
“O Allah! Whoever is put in charge of any matter concerning my Ummah and treats them gently, then treat him gently (in return).”
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1828, Kitāb al-Imārah: Bāb Faḍīlat al-Imām al-ʿĀdil]◈ ③ Ḥadīth Regarding Neglectful Rulers
The Prophet ﷺ said:
ما من أميرٍ يلي أمور المسلمين ثم لا يجتهد لهم ولا ينصح لهم إلا لم يدخل الجنة
“Any ruler who assumes authority over the Muslims and does not strive for their welfare and offer them sincere advice will not enter Paradise.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 142, Kitāb al-Īmān: Bāb Istiḥqāq al-Wālī al-Ghāsh li-Ra‘iyyatihi an-Nār]◈ ④ Ḥadīth of Ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنهما
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
والإمام الذي على الناس راعٍ، وهو مسؤولٌ من رعيته
“The ruler who has authority over the people is a shepherd, and he is responsible for his flock.”
[Al-Bukhārī: 7138, Kitāb al-Aḥkām: Bāb Qawl Allāh Taʿālā: أطيعوا الله وأطيعوا الرسول وأولي الأمر منكم]◈ ⑤ Ḥadīth of ʿĀ’idh bin ʿAmr رضي الله عنه
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
إن شر الرعاء الحطمة
“The worst of rulers are those who are harsh and oppressive toward their subjects.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1830, Kitāb al-Imārah: Bāb Faḍīlat al-Imām al-ʿĀdil]✿ Summary of the Rulers’ Responsibilities
✔ To rule according to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
✔ To act with justice, mercy, and sincerity toward their citizens.
✔ To protect the religion, honor, and security of the Muslims.
✔ To spend public funds only where Sharī‘ah allows.
✔ To avoid betraying or deceiving the people, for such deception leads to the punishment of Hell and the deprivation of Paradise.
✔ To be approachable and compassionate, avoiding tyranny, arrogance, and neglect.
Conclusion
Islamic leadership is a trust (amānah) — not a privilege.
Rulers will be held accountable before Allah for every individual under their care.
Their success and salvation depend on justice, sincerity, and fulfilling the rights of their people.
Conversely, oppression and negligence are among the gravest sins, leading to Divine punishment and loss of Paradise.
