Riyad as-Salihin, 668

Wa'il bin Hujr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

Salamah bin Yazid Al-Ju'f (May Allah be pleased with him) asked Messenger of Allah (ﷺ): "O Prophet (ﷺ) of Allah! Tell us, what you command us to do if there arises over us rulers who demand of us what is due to them and refuse us what is due to us." Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) turned away from him, but he repeated the same question. Thereupon Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Listen to them and obey them. They are responsible for their obligations and you are accountable for yours." [Muslim].

وعن أبى هنيدة وائل بن حجر رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ سأل سلمة بن يزيد الجعفي رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ، فقال‏:‏ يا نبي الله، أرأيت إن قامت علينا امراء يسألونا حقهم، ويمنعونا حقنا، فما تأمرنا‏؟‏ فأعرض عنه، ثم سأله، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم “اسمعوا وأطيعو؛ فإنما عليهما حملوا، وعليكم ماحملتم” ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

References1 variant

In-Book Reference: Introduction, Hadith 668

Sharh · explanationclick to expand

Guidance from the Hadiths: 1) Every person is responsible for their deeds and will be held accountable for their shortcomings. An error should not be corrected with another error. So, a ruler’s negligence in his duties does not give the subjects justification to be negligent in their duties. 2) The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) informed of the evils that the leaders and rulers would do with regard to the Shariah, and that Muslims are required to give them advice and endure their harm patiently. 3) The evil done by rulers is only a reflection of the subjects’ deeds. “As you are, so shall be your rulers.” {Indeed, Allah does not change the condition of a people, until they change what is in themselves.}

Related hadiths1

Sahih Muslim1846 asahih