Riyad as-Salihin, 657

Abu Maryam Al-Azdi (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

I said to Mu'awiyah (bin Abu Sufyan) (May Allah be pleased with them): I heard Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, "If Allah invests to someone the affairs of the Muslims and he (i.e., the ruler) ignores their rights, denies their access to him and neglects their needs, Allah will not answer his prayer or realize his hopes and will act towards him with indifference on the Day of Resurrection." So Mu'awiyah appointed a person to keep a vigil on the necessities of the people and to fulfill them. [Abu Dawud and At- Tirmidhi].

وعن أبى مريم الأزدى رضي الله عنه أنه قال لمعاوية رضي الله عنه سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول‏:‏ “من ولاه الله شيئاً من أمور المسلمين، فاحتجب دون حاجتهم وخلتهم وفقرهم، احتجب الله دون حاجته وخلته وفقره يوم القيامة” فجعل معاوية رجلا على حوائج الناس‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه أبو داود والترمذي‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

References1 variant

In-Book Reference: Introduction, Hadith 657

Sharh · explanationclick to expand

Guidance from the Hadith: 1) Recompense for a deed should be of the same nature of the deed. So, if a ruler screens himself from his subjects, Allah Almighty will screen Himself from him on the Day of Resurrection. 2) It shows how the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) would readily adhere to and respect the Prophet’s Sunnah. We have a good example in them. We should be keen to follow the guidance of the Prophet and his Companions.