Hadithcore
Sunan Abi Dawud, 2948
sahih· Al-Albani

Narrated AbuMaryam al-Azdi:

When I entered upon Mu'awiyah, he said: How good your visit is to us, O father of so-and-so. (This is an idiom used by the Arabs on such occasions). I said: I tell you a tradition which I heard (from the Prophet). I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: If Allah puts anyone in the position of authority over the affairs of the Muslims, and he secludes himself (from them), not fulfilling their needs, wants, and poverty, Allah will keep Himself away from him, not fulfilling his need, want and poverty. He said: He (Mu'awiyah) appointed a man to fulfil the needs of the people.

حَدَّثَنَا سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الدِّمَشْقِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ حَمْزَةَ، حَدَّثَنِي ابْنُ أَبِي مَرْيَمَ، أَنَّ الْقَاسِمَ بْنَ مُخَيْمِرَةَ، أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّ أَبَا مَرْيَمَ الأَزْدِيَّ أَخْبَرَهُ قَالَ دَخَلْتُ عَلَى مُعَاوِيَةَ فَقَالَ مَا أَنْعَمَنَا بِكَ أَبَا فُلاَنٍ ‏.‏ وَهِيَ كَلِمَةٌ تَقُولُهَا الْعَرَبُ فَقُلْتُ حَدِيثًا سَمِعْتُهُ أُخْبِرُكَ بِهِ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏

‏ مَنْ وَلاَّهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ شَيْئًا مِنْ أَمْرِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فَاحْتَجَبَ دُونَ حَاجَتِهِمْ وَخَلَّتِهِمْ وَفَقْرِهِمُ احْتَجَبَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ دُونَ حَاجَتِهِ وَخَلَّتِهِ وَفَقْرِهِ ‏

‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ فَجَعَلَ رَجُلاً عَلَى حَوَائِجِ النَّاسِ ‏.‏

Isnad

4 transmitters
Sulaiman bin 'Abdur RahmanYahya bin Hamza bin WaqdSa'id bin Abi Maryamal-Qasim bin Mukhaymara
References2 variants
In-Book Reference
Book 20, Hadith 21
English Reference
Book 19, Hadith 2942
Sharh · explanationclick to expand
The Companions of the Messenger of Allah may Allah be pleased with them) would advise one another sincerely, always seeking what was best for one another.In this Hadith, Abu Maryam Al-Azdi (may Allah be pleased with him) offers sincere advice to Mu`awiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) when he entered upon him. Mu`awiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) said to him, “How noble you are to us, O Abu so-and-so”, a common phrase among the Arabs used to honor a guest whose visit is valued and brings joy. Abu Maryam responded, “Let me tell you a Hadith I have heard: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say: ‘Whoever is appointed by Allah over any of the affairs of the Muslims, then keeps himself hidden from their needs, or alleviate their poverty’, will be dealt with accordingly. Whoever deals with others in this manner, his recompense will reflect his conduct: Allah will withhold Himself from him, distancing him and denying him access to His help, his needs, and his relief from poverty. When Mu`awiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) heard this statement, he immediately appointed the man in charge of fulfilling the people’s needs and ensuring they were addressed. This was because he recognized him as a sincere adviser who understood the responsibilities of an Imam or leader and would diligently strive to serve the people's needs.This action demonstrated Mu`awiyah’s readiness to implement sincere counsel and act swiftly upon it..