Section 1

English translation

Jabir b. Samura told that he heard God’s Messenger say, “There are three things I fear for my people:

seeking rain by the stars,*the injustice of the ruler, and denial of God's decree.” Ahmad. *This is a reference to the pre-Islamic habit of attributing rain to certain seasons and saying the rain came to them because of a certain star, whereas Muslims ought to recognize that rain comes by God’s favour.

English translation

Abu Dharr told that God’s Messenger said to him for six days, “Comprehend, Abu Dharr, what will be said to you afterwards.” Then when the seventh day came he said, “I counsel you to observe fear of God both secretly and openly; when you do wrong do a good deed; do not ask anyone for anything, even if your whip falls;* do not accept a trust; and do not give a decision between two people.” Ahmad. * This means that help is to be asked only from God and that one should not ask another human being for even the smallest help.

English translation

Abu Umama reported the Prophet (ﷺ) as saying, “No one will rule ten people or more without coming to God who is great and glorious on the day of resurrection with his hand chained to his neck and being set free by his goodness, or brought to destruction by his sin. The beginning of it merits blame, its middle produces regret, and its end is disgrace on the day of resurrection.” Ahmad.

English translation

Mu'awiya reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If you are put in a position of authority, Mu'awiya, fear God and act justly.” He said that he kept thinking he would be afflicted by a governorship in accordance with what the Prophet (ﷺ) had said till it actually came true. Ahmad. Baihaqi transmitted Mu‘awiya’s tradition in <i>Dalail an-nubuwa</i>.

English translation

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Seek refuge in God from the beginning of the year seventy and the governorship exercised by boys.”* Ahmad. *This tradition is direction against some of the Umayyads.

English translation

Yahya b. Hashim quoted Yunus b. Abu Ishaq who, on his father’s authority, reported God’s Messenger as saying, “As you are so will you have rulers put over you.” Baihaqi transmitted in <i>Shuab al iman</i>. This tradition has a broken <i>isnad</i> and that its transmission is weak.

English translation

Ibn ‘Umar reported the Prophet (ﷺ) as saying, “The <i>sultan</i> is God’s shade on the earth to which each one of His servants who is wronged repairs. When he is just he will have a reward, and it is the duty of the common people to be grateful; but when he acts tyrannically the burden rests on him, and it is the duty of the common people to show endurance.” Baihaqi transmitted in <i>Shuab al iman</i>.

English translation

‘Umar b. al-Khattab reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The one among God’s servants who will have the best position with God on the day of resurrection will be a just and kindly <i>iman</i>, but the man who will have the worst position with God on the day of resurrection will be a tyrannical and harsh <i>imam</i>.” Baihaqi transmitted in <i>Shuab al iman</i>.

English translation

‘Abdallah b. ‘Amr reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If anyone gives his brother a look which frightens him, God will frighten him on the day of resurrection.” Baihaqi transmitted in <i>Shuab al iman</i>.

English translation

Abud Darda’ reported God’s Messenger as saying that God most high says, "I am God than whom there is no god, Master of kings, King of kings, in whose hands are the hearts of kings. When men obey me I turn the hearts of kings to them with mercy and gentleness, but when they disobey me I turn their hearts against them with displeasure and vengeance, and they inflict grievous punishment upon them. So do not occupy yourselves with invoking curses on kings, but occupy yourselves with remembrance of me and supplication that I may protect you against your kings.” Abu Nu'aim transmitted it in <i>al-Hilya</i>.