This excerpt is taken from Sheikh Hussain bin Mubarak Al-Mawsili's Arabic book Al-Awamer wal-Nawahi, whose Urdu translation has been done by Muhammad Sarwar Gohar Sahib under the title Ahkamat o Mamnooat.
Pledging Allegiance to the Caliph
① Sayyiduna Ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما states, when we pledged allegiance to the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم regarding obedience and listening, the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم would say to us:
فيما استطعت - أو قال: استطعتم -
"As much as you are able, or as much as you can manage."
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Rulings 7202, 7203, 7200; Muslim, Book of Leadership 1867; Abu Dawood, Taxation, Leadership and Military 2940; narrated by a group of Muhaddithin, and this is a complete chapter in the section of prohibitions, chapter of slander.
Obedience to the Rulers
① Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
من أطاعني فقد أطاع الله، ومن عصاني فقد عصى الله، ومن يطع الأمير فقد أطاعني، ومن يعص الأمير فقد عصاني
"Whoever obeys me has obeyed Allah, and whoever disobeys me has disobeyed Allah, and whoever obeys the leader has obeyed me, and whoever disobeys the leader has disobeyed me."
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Jihad and Expeditions 2957, Muslim, Book of Leadership 1835.
② Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
اسمعوا وأطيعوا وإن استعمل عليكم عبد حبشي كأن رأسه زبيبة ما أقام فيكم كتاب الله
"Listen and obey even if an Abyssinian slave is made your leader whose head is like a raisin, as long as he enforces the Book of Allah among you, obey him."
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Judgments 7142, Ibn Majah, Book of Jihad 2860.
③ Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
على المرء المسلم السمع والطاعة فيما أحب أو كره إلا أن يؤمر بمعصية، فإن أمر بمعصية فلا سمع ولا طاعة
"It is obligatory upon a Muslim that if he is not commanded to commit a sin, then he should show obedience in what he likes and dislikes, but if he is commanded to commit a sin, then there is neither obedience nor compliance."
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Judgments 7144, Muslim, Book of Leadership 1839, Abu Dawood, Book of Jihad 2626.
④ Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
عليك السمع والطاعة فى عسرك ويسرك ومنشطك ومكرهك وأثرة عليك
"You must show obedience in your hardship and ease, in your happiness and displeasure, in your dislike, and even when others are preferred over you."
Reference: Muslim, Book of Leadership 1836, Nasai, Book of Allegiance 140/7.
Instructions Regarding Speaking the Truth
① Sayyiduna Ubada bin Samit رضي الله عنه states, we pledged allegiance to the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم to listen and obey in times of hardship and ease, happiness and distress, and even if others are preferred over us. We also pledged that we would not dispute with rulers regarding authority, and we would always speak the truth and would not fear the blame of any reproacher concerning Allah.
Reference: Bukhari, Kitab al-Fitan 7056, Muslim, Kitab al-Hudud 1709.
Prohibition of Seeking Leadership and Authority
① Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrates from the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم, who said:
إنكم ستحرصون على الإمارة، وإنها ستكون ندامة وحسرة يوم القيامة، فنعم المرضعة وبئست القاطمة
"Soon you will desire leadership and authority, but on the Day of Resurrection, it will be a cause of regret and remorse. Its beginning will seem good, but its end will be bad (just as a wet nurse is pleasant while nursing but unpleasant when weaning)."
Reference: Bukhari, Kitab al-Ahkam 7148.
② Sayyiduna Abu Dharr رضي الله عنه states, I asked: O Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم! Why do you not make me a ruler? Sayyiduna Abu Dharr رضي الله عنه narrates, the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم placed his hand on my shoulder and said:
يا أبا ذر إنك ضعيف، وإنها أمانة، وإنها يوم القيامة خزي وندامة إلا من أخذها بحقها وأدى الذى عليه فيها
"Abu Dharr! You are weak, while it (authority) is a trust, and whoever accepts it according to its right and fulfills the responsibility upon it, then it is good; otherwise, on the Day of Resurrection, it will be a cause of disgrace and regret for him."
Reference: Muslim, Kitab al-Ahkam 1825/16. Musnad Ahmad, Musnad al-Ansar 206/5, Hadith 21569.
③ Sayyiduna Mu'adh ibn Ma'dikarib رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم, while striking his shoulders, said:
أفلحت يا قديم إن مت ولم تكن أميرا ولا كاتبا ولا عريفا
"Qadim! If you die without becoming a leader, secretary, or administrator, then you are successful."
Reference: Abu Dawood, Kitab al-Kharaj wal-Imarah wal-Fai 2933, Al-Targhib 570,569/1 Hadith 24.
