Sahih Bukhari

“Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those of you who are in authority…”

Narrated Abu Huraira:Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, ’’Whoever obeys me, obeys Allah, and whoever disobeys me, disobeys Allah, and whoever obeys the ruler I appoint, obeys me, and whoever disobeys him, disobeys me.’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7137
Book: 93
Hadith: 1

“Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those of you who are in authority…”

Narrated `Abdullah bin `Umar:Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, ’’Surely! Everyone of you is a guardian and is responsible for his charges: The Imam (ruler) of the people is a guardian and is responsible for his subjects; a man is the guardian of his family (household) and is responsible for his subjects; a woman is the guardian of her husband’s home and of his children and is responsible for them; and the slave of a man is a guardian of his master’s property and is responsible for it. Surely, everyone of you is a guardian and responsible for his charges.’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7138
Book: 93
Hadith: 2

The rulers from the Quraish

Narrated Muhammad bin Jubair bin Mut`im:That while he was included in a delegation of Quraish staying with Muawiya, Muawiya heard that `Abdullah bin `Amr had said that there would be a king from Qahtan tribe, whereupon he became very angry. He stood up, and after glorifying and praising Allah as He deserved, said, ’’To proceed, I have come to know that some of you men are narrating things which are neither in Allah’s Book, nor has been mentioned by Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) . Such people are the ignorant among you. Beware of such vain desires that mislead those who have them. I have heard Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) saying, ’This matter (of the caliphate) will remain with the Quraish, and none will rebel against them, but Allah will throw him down on his face as long as they stick to the rules and regulations of the religion (Islam).’’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7139
Book: 93
Hadith: 3

The rulers from the Quraish

Narrated Ibn `Umar:Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, ’’This matter (caliphate) will remain with the Quraish even if only two of them were still existing.’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7140
Book: 93
Hadith: 4

The reward of judging according to Al-Hikmah

Narrated `Abdullah:Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, ’’Do not wish to be like anyone, except in two cases: (1) A man whom Allah has given wealth and he spends it righteously. (2) A man whom Allah has given wisdom (knowledge of the Qur’an and the Hadith) and he acts according to it and teaches it to others.’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7141
Book: 93
Hadith: 5

To listen to and obey the Imam

Narrated Anas bin Malik:Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, ’’You should listen to and obey, your ruler even if he was an Ethiopian (black) slave whose head looks like a raisin.’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7142
Book: 93
Hadith: 6

To listen to and obey the Imam

Narrated Ibn `Abbas:The Prophet (ﷺ) said, ’’If somebody sees his Muslim ruler doing something he disapproves of, he should be patient, for whoever becomes separate from the Muslim group even for a span and then dies, he will die as those who died in the Pre-lslamic period of ignorance (as rebellious sinners). (See Hadith No. 176 and 177)

Sahih al-Bukhari 7143
Book: 93
Hadith: 7

To listen to and obey the Imam

Narrated `Abdullah:The Prophet (ﷺ) said, ’’A Muslim has to listen to and obey (the order of his ruler) whether he likes it or not, as long as his orders involve not one in disobedience (to Allah), but if an act of disobedience (to Allah) is imposed one should not listen to it or obey it. (See Hadith No. 203, Vol. 4)

Sahih al-Bukhari 7144
Book: 93
Hadith: 8

To listen to and obey the Imam

Narrated `Ali:The Prophet (ﷺ) sent an army unit (for some campaign) and appointed a man from the Ansar as its commander and ordered them (the soldiers) to obey him. (During the campaign) he became angry with them and said, ’’Didn’t the Prophet (ﷺ) order you to obey me?’’ They said, ’’Yes.’’ He said, ’’I order you to collect wood and make a fire and then throw yourselves into it.’’ So they collected wood and made a fire, but when they were about to throw themselves into, it they started looking at each other, and some of them said, ’’We followed the Prophet (ﷺ) to escape from the fire. How should we enter it now?’’ So while they were in that state, the fire extinguished and their commander’s anger abated. The event was mentioned to the Prophet (ﷺ) and he said, ’’If they had entered it (the fire) they would never have come out of it, for obedience is required only in what is good.’’ (See Hadith No. 629. Vol. 5)

Sahih al-Bukhari 7145
Book: 93
Hadith: 9

Allah will surely help him in ruling who….

Narrated `Abdur-Rahman bin Samura:The Prophet (ﷺ) said, ’’O `Abdur-Rahman! Do not seek to be a ruler, for if you are given authority on your demand then you will be held responsible for it, but if you are given it without asking (for it), then you will be helped (by Allah) in it. If you ever take an oath to do something and later on you find that something else is better, then you should expiate your oath and do what is better.’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7146
Book: 93
Hadith: 10

He who seeks to be a ruler will be held responsible

Narrated `Abdur-Rahman bin Samura:Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, ’’O `Abdur-Rahman bin Samura! Do not seek to be a ruler, for if you are given authority on your demand, you will be held responsible for it, but if you are given it without asking for it, then you will be helped (by Allah) in it. If you ever take an oath to do something and later on you find that something else is better, then do what is better and make expiation for your oath.’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7147
Book: 93
Hadith: 11

What is disliked regarding the authority of ruling

Narrated Abu Huraira:The Prophet (ﷺ) said, ’’You people will be keen to have the authority of ruling which will be a thing of regret for you on the Day of Resurrection. What an excellent wet nurse it is, yet what a bad weaning one it is!’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7148
Book: 93
Hadith: 12

What is disliked regarding the authority of ruling

Narrated Abu Musa:Two men from my tribe and I entered upon the Prophet. One of the two men said to the Prophet, ’’O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! Appoint me as a governor,’’ and so did the second. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, ’’We do not assign the authority of ruling to those who ask for it, nor to those who are keen to have it.’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7149
Book: 93
Hadith: 13

The ruler not ruling in an honest manner

Narrated Ma’qil:I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) saying, ’’Any man whom Allah has given the authority of ruling some people and he does not look after them in an honest manner, will never feel even the smell of Paradise.’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7150
Book: 93
Hadith: 14

The ruler not ruling in an honest manner

Narrated Ma’qil:Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, ’’If any ruler having the authority to rule Muslim subjects dies while he is deceiving them, Allah will forbid Paradise for him.’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7151
Book: 93
Hadith: 15

Causing people troubles and difficulties

Narrated Tarif Abi Tamima:I saw Safwan and Jundab and Safwan’s companions when Jundab was advising. They said, ’’Did you hear something from Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)?’’ Jundab said, ’’I heard him saying, ’Whoever does a good deed in order to show off, Allah will expose his intentions on the Day of Resurrection (before the people), and whoever puts the people into difficulties, Allah will put him into difficulties on the Day of Resurrection.’’’ The people said (to Jundab), ’’Advise us.’’ He said, ’’The first thing of the human body to purify is the `Abdomen, so he who can eat nothing but good food (Halal and earned lawfully) should do so, and he who does as much as he can that nothing intervene between him and Paradise by not shedding even a handful of blood, (i.e. murdering) should do so.’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7152
Book: 93
Hadith: 16

To give judgements and legal opinions on the road

Narrated Anas bin Malik:While the Prophet (ﷺ) and I were coming out of the mosque, a man met us outside the gate. The man said, ’’O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! When will be the Hour?’’ The Prophet (ﷺ) asked him, ’’What have you prepared for it?’’ The man became afraid and ashamed and then said, ’’O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! I haven’t prepared for it much of fasts, prayers or charitable gifts but I love Allah and His Apostle.’’ The Prophet (ﷺ) said, ’’You will be with the one whom you love.’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7153
Book: 93
Hadith: 17

There was no gatekeeper for the Prophet (saws)

Narrated Thabit Al-Bunani:Anas bin Malik said to a woman of his family, ’’Do you know such-and-such a woman?’’ She replied, ’’Yes.’’ He said, ’’The Prophet (ﷺ) passed by her while she was weeping over a grave, and he said to her, ’Be afraid of Allah and be patient.’ The woman said (to the Prophet). ’Go away from me, for you do not know my calamity.’’’ Anas added, ’’The Prophet (ﷺ) left her and proceeded. A man passed by her and asked her, ’What has Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said to you?’ She replied, ’I did not recognize him.’ The man said, ’He was Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ).’’’ Anas added, ’’So that woman came to the gate of the Prophet (ﷺ) and she did not find a gate-keeper there, and she said, ’O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! By Allah. I did not recognize you!’ The Prophet said, ’No doubt, patience is at the first stroke of a calamity.’’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7154
Book: 93
Hadith: 18

A governor can sentence to death a person without consulting the Imam

Narrated Anas:Qais bin Sa`d was to the Prophet (ﷺ) like a chief police officer to an Amir (chief).

Sahih al-Bukhari 7155
Book: 93
Hadith: 19

A governor can sentence to death a person without consulting the Imam

Narrated Abu Musa:that the Prophet (ﷺ) sent him and sent Mu`adh after him (as rulers to Yemen).

Sahih al-Bukhari 7156
Book: 93
Hadith: 20

A governor can sentence to death a person without consulting the Imam

Narrated Abu Musa:A man embraced Islam and then reverted back to Judaism. Mu`adh bin Jabal came and saw the man with Abu Musa. Mu`adh asked, ’’What is wrong with this (man)?’’ Abu Musa replied, ’’He embraced Islam and then reverted back to Judaism.’’ Mu`adh said, ’’I will not sit down unless you kill him (as it is) the verdict of Allah and His Apostle.

Sahih al-Bukhari 7157
Book: 93
Hadith: 21

Can a judge give a judgement in an angry mood?

Narrated `Abdur Rahman bin Abi Bakra:Abu Bakra wrote to his son who was in Sijistan: ’Do not judge between two persons when you are angry, for I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) saying, ’’A judge should not judge between two persons while he is in an angry mood.’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7158
Book: 93
Hadith: 22

Can a judge give a judgement in an angry mood?

Narrated Abu Mas`ud Al-Ansari:A man came to Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) and said, ’’O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! By Allah, I fail to attend the morning congregational prayer because so-and-so (i.e., Mu`adh bin Jabal) prolongs the prayer when he leads us for it.’’ I had never seen the Prophet (ﷺ) more furious in giving advice than he was on that day. He then said, ’’O people! some of you make others dislike (good deeds, i.e. prayers etc). So whoever among you leads the people in prayer, he should shorten it because among them there are the old, the weak and the busy (needy having some jobs to do). (See Hadith No. 90, Vol. 1)

Sahih al-Bukhari 7159
Book: 93
Hadith: 23

Can a judge give a judgement in an angry mood?

Narrated `Abdullah bin `Umar:That he had divorced his wife during her menses. `Umar mentioned that to the Prophet. Allah’s Apostle became angry and said, ’’He must take her back (his wife) and keep her with him till she becomes clean from her menses and then to wait till she gets her next period and becomes clean again from it and only then, if he wants to divorce her, he may do so.’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7160
Book: 93
Hadith: 24

A judge can give judgements for the people according to his knowledge

Narrated `Aisha:Hind bint `Utba bin Rabi`a came and said. ’’O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! By Allah, there was no family on the surface of the earth, I like to see in degradation more than I did your family, but today there is no family on the surface of the earth whom I like to see honored more than yours.’’ Hind added, ’’Abu Sufyan is a miser. Is it sinful of me to feed our children from his property?’’ The Prophet (ﷺ) said, ’’There is no blame on you if you feed them (thereof) in a just and reasonable manner.

Sahih al-Bukhari 7161
Book: 93
Hadith: 25

To bear witness as to the writer of a stamped letter; and the letter of a ruler to a governor, and of a judge to a judge

Narrated Anas bin Malik:When the Prophet (ﷺ) intended to write to the Byzantines, the people said, ’’They do not read a letter unless it is sealed (stamped).’’ Therefore the Prophet (ﷺ) took a silver ring----as if I am looking at its glitter now----and its engraving was: ’Muhammad, Apostle of Allah’.

Sahih al-Bukhari 7162
Book: 93
Hadith: 26

The salaries of rulers and those employed to administer the funds

Narrated ’Abdullah bin As-Sa’di: That when he went to ’Umar during his Caliphate. ’Umar said to him, ’’Haven’t I been told that you do certain jobs for the people but when you are given payment you refuse to take it?’’ ’Abdullah added: I said, ’’Yes.’’ ’Umar said, ’’Why do you do so?’’ I said, ’’I have horses and slaves and I am living in prosperity and I wish that my payment should be kept as a charitable gift for the Muslims.’’ ’Umar said, ’’Do not do so, for I intended to do the same as you do. Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)s used to give me gifts and I used to say to him, ’Give it to a more needy one than me.’ Once he gave me some money and I said, ’Give it to a more needy person than me,’ whereupon the Prophet (ﷺ) said, ’Take it and keep it in your possession and then give it in charity. Take what ever comes to you of this money if you are not keen to have it and not asking for it; otherwise (i.e., if it does not come to you) do not seek to have it yourself.’ ’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7163
Book: 93
Hadith: 27

The salaries of rulers and those employed to administer the funds

Narrated ’Abdullah bin ’Umar:I have heard ’Umar saying, ’’The Prophet (ﷺ) used to give me some money (grant) and I would say (to him), ’Give it to a more needy one than me.’ Once he gave me some money and I said, ’Give it to a more needy one than me.’ The Prophet (ﷺ) said (to me), ’Take it and keep it in your possession and then give it in charity. Take whatever comes to you of this money while you are not keen to have it and not asking for it; take it, but you should not seek to have what you are not given. ’ ’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7164
Book: 93
Hadith: 28

Whoever gave judgements of Li’an in the mosque

Narrated Sahl bin Sa`d:I witnessed a husband and a wife who were involved in a case of Lian. Then (the judgment of) divorce was passed. I was fifteen years of age, at that time.

Sahih al-Bukhari 7165
Book: 93
Hadith: 29

Whoever gave judgements of Li’an in the mosque

Narrated Sahl:(the brother of Bani Sa`ida) A man from the Ansar came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, ’’If a man finds another man sleeping with his wife, should he kill him?’’ That man and his wife then did Lian in the mosque while I was present.

Sahih al-Bukhari 7166
Book: 93
Hadith: 30

Passing judgement in the mosque and ordering the punishment outside the Mosque

Narrated Abu Huraira:A man came to Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) while he was in the mosque, and called him, saying, ’’O Allah’s Apostle! I have committed illegal sexual intercourse.’’ The Prophet (ﷺ) turned his face to the other side, but when the man gave four witnesses against himself, the Prophet (ﷺ) said to him, ’’Are you mad?’’ The man said, ’’No.’’ So the Prophet (ﷺ) said (to his companions), ’’Take him away and stone him to death. ’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7167
Book: 93
Hadith: 31

Passing judgement in the mosque and ordering the punishment outside the Mosque

(continued from above) Narrated Jabir bin Abdullah:I was one of those who stoned him at the Musalla in Al-Madina (See Hadith 5272).

Sahih al-Bukhari 7168
Book: 93
Hadith: 32

The advice of the Imam to the litigants

Narrated Um Salama:Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, ’’I am only a human being, and you people (opponents) come to me with your cases; and it may be that one of you can present his case eloquently in a more convincing way than the other, and I give my verdict according to what I hear. So if ever I judge (by error) and give the right of a brother to his other (brother) then he (the latter) should not take it, for I am giving him only a piece of Fire.’’ (See Hadith No. 638, Vol. 3).

Sahih al-Bukhari 7169
Book: 93
Hadith: 33

If a judge has to witness in favour of a litigant

Narrated Abu Qatada:Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said on the Day of (the battle of) Hunain, ’’Whoever has killed an infidel and has a proof or a witness for it, then the salb (arms and belongings of that deceased) will be for him.’’ I stood up to seek a witness to testify that I had killed an infidel but I could not find any witness and then sat down. Then I thought that I should mention the case to Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) I (and when I did so) a man from those who were sitting with him said, ’’The arms of the killed person he has mentioned, are with me, so please satisfy him on my behalf.’’ Abu Bakr said, ’’No, he will not give the arms to a bird of Quraish and deprive one of Allah’s lions of it who fights for the cause of Allah and His Apostle.’’ Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) I stood up and gave it to me, and I bought a garden with its price, and that was my first property which I owned through the war booty. The people of Hijaz said, ’’A judge should not pass a judgment according to his knowledge, whether he was a witness at the time he was the judge or before that’’ And if a litigant gives a confession in favor of his opponent in the court, in the opinion of some scholars, the judge should not pass a judgment against him till the latter calls two witnesses to witness his confession. And some people of Iraq said, ’’A judge can pass a judgement according to what he hears or witnesses (the litigant’s confession) in the court itself, but if the confession takes place outside the court, he should not pass the judgment unless two witnesses witness the confession.’’ Some of them said, ’’A judge can pass a judgement depending on his knowledge of the case as he is trust-worthy, and that a witness is Required just to reveal the truth. The judge’s knowledge is more than the witness.’’ Some said, ’’A judge can judge according to his knowledge only in cases involving property, but in other cases he cannot.’’ Al-Qasim said, ’’A judge ought not to pass a judgment depending on his knowledge if other people do not know what he knows, although his knowledge is more than the witness of somebody else because he might expose himself to suspicion by the Muslims and cause the Muslims to have unreasonable doubt. ’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7170
Book: 93
Hadith: 34

If a judge has to witness in favour of a litigant

Narrated `Ali bin Husain:Safiya bint (daughter of) Huyai came to the Prophet (in the mosque), and when she returned (home), the Prophet (ﷺ) accompanied her. It happened that two men from the Ansar passed by them and the Prophet called them saying, ’’She is Safiya!’’ those two men said, ’’Subhan Allah!’’ The Prophet (ﷺ) said, ’’Satan circulates in the human body as blood does.’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7171
Book: 93
Hadith: 35

The order of the Wali sending two Amir to one place

Narrated Abu Burda:The Prophet (ﷺ) sent my father and Mu`adh bin Jabal to Yemen and said (to them), ’’Make things easy for the people and do not put hurdles in their way, and give them glad tiding, and don’t let them have aversion (i.e. to make people to hate good deeds) and you both should work in cooperation and mutual understanding’’ Abu Musa said to Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ), ’’In our country a special alcoholic drink called Al- Bit’, is prepared (for drinking).’’ The Prophet (ﷺ) said, ’’Every intoxicant is prohibited. ’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7172
Book: 93
Hadith: 36

The ruler’s acceptance of invitation

Narrated Abu Musa:The Prophet (ﷺ) said, ’’Set free the captives and accept invitations.’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7173
Book: 93
Hadith: 37

The gifts taken by the employees

Narrated Abu Humaid Al-Sa`idi:The Prophet (ﷺ) appointed a man from the tribe of Bani Asad, called Ibn Al-Utabiyya to collect the Zakat. When he returned (with the money) he said (to the Prophet), ’’This is for you and this has been given to me as a gift.’’ The Prophet (ﷺ) stood up on the pulpit (Sufyan said he ascended the pulpit), and after glorifying and praising Allah, he said, ’’What is wrong with the employee whom we send (to collect Zakat from the public) that he returns to say, ’This is for you and that is for me?’ Why didn’t he stay at his father’s and mother’s house to see whether he will be given gifts or not? By Him in Whose Hand my life is, whoever takes anything illegally will bring it on the Day of Resurrection by carrying it over his neck: if it is a camel, it will be grunting: if it is a cow, it will be mooing: and if it is a sheep it will be bleating!’’ The Prophet (ﷺ) then raised both his hands till we saw the whiteness of his armpits (and he said), ’’No doubt! Haven’t I conveyed Allah’s Message?’’ And he repeated it three times.

Sahih al-Bukhari 7174
Book: 93
Hadith: 38

To appoint the Maula as judges and officials

Narrated Ibn `Umar:Salim, the freed salve of Abu Hudhaifa used to lead in prayer the early Muhajirin (emigrants) and the companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) in the Quba mosque. Among those (who used to pray behind him) were Abu Bakr, `Umar, Abu Salama, and Amir bin Rabi`a.

Sahih al-Bukhari 7175
Book: 93
Hadith: 39

‘Urafa appointed to look after the people

Narrated `Urwa bin Az-Zubair:Marwan bin Al-Hakam and Al-Miswar bin Makhrama told him that when the Muslims were permitted to set free the captives of Hawazin, Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, ’’I do not know who amongst you has agreed (to it) and who has not. Go back so that your ’Urafa’ may submit your decision to us.’’ So the people returned and their ’Urafa’ talked to them and then came back to Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) and told him that the people had given their consent happily and permitted (their captives to be freed).

Sahih al-Bukhari 7176, 7177
Book: 93
Hadith: 40

Praising the Sultan and saying differently after leaving him

Narrated Muhammad bin Zaid bin `Abdullah bin `Umar:Some people said to Ibn `Umar, ’’When we enter upon our ruler(s) we say in their praise what is contrary to what we say when we leave them.’’ Ibn `Umar said, ’’We used to consider this as hypocrisy.’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7178
Book: 93
Hadith: 41

Praising the Sultan and saying differently after leaving him

Narrated Abu Huraira:Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)s said, ’’The worst of all mankind is the double-faced one, who comes to some people with one face and to others, with another face.’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7179
Book: 93
Hadith: 42

Judgement against an absent person

Narrated `Aisha:Hind (bint `Utba) said to the Prophet (ﷺ) ’’Abu Sufyan is a miserly man and I need to take some money of his wealth.’’ The Prophet (ﷺ) said, ’’Take reasonably what is sufficient for you and your children ’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7180
Book: 93
Hadith: 43

Whoever is given the right of his brother through a judicial decision

Narrated Um Salama:(the wife of the Prophet) Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) heard some people quarreling at the door of his dwelling, so he went out to them and said, ’’I am only a human being, and litigants with cases of dispute come to me, and someone of you may happen to be more eloquent (in presenting his case) than the other, whereby I may consider that he is truthful and pass a judgment in his favor. If ever I pass a judgment in favor of somebody whereby he takes a Muslim’s right unjustly, then whatever he takes is nothing but a piece of Fire, and it is up to him to take or leave.’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7181
Book: 93
Hadith: 44

Whoever is given the right of his brother through a judicial decision

Narrated `Aisha:(the wife of the Prophet) `Utba bin Abi Waqqas said to his brother Sa`d bin Abi Waqqas, ’’The son of the slave girl of Zam`a is from me, so take him into your custody.’’ So in the year of Conquest of Mecca, Sa`d took him and said. (This is) my brother’s son whom my brother has asked me to take into my custody.’’ `Abd bin Zam`a got up before him and said, (He is) my brother and the son of the slave girl of my father, and was born on my father’s bed.’’ So they both submitted their case before Allah’s Apostle. Sa`d said, ’’O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! This boy is the son of my brother and he entrusted him to me.’’ `Abd bin Zam`a said, ’’This boy is my brother and the son of the slave girl of my father, and was born on the bed of my father.’’ Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, ’’The boy is for you, O `Abd bin Zam`a!’’ Then Allah’s Apostle further said, ’’The child is for the owner of the bed, and the stone is for the adulterer,’’ He then said to Sauda bint Zam`a, ’’Veil (screen) yourself before him,’’ when he saw the child’s resemblance to `Utba. The boy did not see her again till he met Allah.

Sahih al-Bukhari 7182
Book: 93
Hadith: 45

Judgement regarding cases involving wells, etc.

Narrated `Abdullah:The Prophet (ﷺ) said, ’’If somebody on the demand of a judge takes an oath to grab (a Muslim’s) property and he is liar in it, he will meet Allah Who will be angry with him’’. So Allah revealed,:-- ’Verily! those who purchase a small gain at the cost of Allah’s Covenant and their oaths..’ (3.77) ’Al- Ashath came while `Abdullah was narrating (this) to the people. Al-Ashath said, ’’This verse was revealed regarding me and another man with whom I had a quarrel about a well. The Prophet (ﷺ) said (to me), ’’Do you have any evidence?’ I replied, ’No.’ He said, ’Let your opponent take an oath.’ I said: I am sure he would take a (false) oath.’’ Thereupon it was revealed: ’Verily! those who purchase a small gain at the cost of Allah’s Covenant....’ (3.77) (See Hadith No. 72, Vol 6).

Sahih al-Bukhari 7183, 7184
Book: 93
Hadith: 46

To judge cases involving wealth

Narrated Um Salama:The Prophet (ﷺ) heard the voices of some people quarreling near his gate, so he went to them and said, ’’I am only a human being and litigants with cases of disputes come to me, and maybe one of them presents his case eloquently in a more convincing and impressive way than the other, and I give my verdict in his favor thinking he is truthful. So if I give a Muslim’s right to another (by mistake), then that (property) is a piece of Fire, which is up to him to take it or leave it.’’ (See Hadith No. 281 )

Sahih al-Bukhari 7185
Book: 93
Hadith: 47

Selling people’s estates by the ruler on their behalf

Narrated Jabir:The Prophet (ﷺ) came to know that one of his companions had given the promise of freeing his slave after his death, but as he had no other property than that slave, the Prophet (ﷺ) sold that slave for 800 dirhams and sent the price to him.

Sahih al-Bukhari 7186
Book: 93
Hadith: 48

Slanders made by ignorant people against the Amirs

Narrated Ibn `Umar:Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) sent an army unit headed by Usama bin Zaid and the people criticized his leadership. The Prophet (ﷺ) said (to the people), ’’If you are criticizing his leadership now, then you used to criticize his father’s leadership before. By Allah, he (Usama’s father) deserved the leadership and used to be one of the most beloved persons to me, and now his son (Usama) is one of the most beloved persons to me after him. ’’ (See Hadith No. 745, Vol. 5)

Sahih al-Bukhari 7187
Book: 93
Hadith: 49

The most quarrelsome person of the opponents

Narrated `Aisha:Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, ’’The most hated person in the sight of Allah, is the most quarrelsome person.’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7188
Book: 93
Hadith: 50

If a judge passes an unjust judgement

Narrated Ibn `Umar:The Prophet (ﷺ) sent (an army unit under the command of) Khalid bin Al-Walid to fight against the tribe of Bani Jadhima and those people could not express themselves by saying, ’’Aslamna,’’ but they said, ’’Saba’na! Saba’na! ’’ Khalid kept on killing some of them and taking some others as captives, and he gave a captive to everyone of us and ordered everyone of us to kill his captive. I said, ’’By Allah, I shall not kill my captive and none of my companions shall kill his captive!’’ Then we mentioned that to the Prophet (ﷺ) and he said, ’’O Allah! I am free from what Khalid bin Al-Walid has done,’’ and repeated it twice.

Sahih al-Bukhari 7189
Book: 93
Hadith: 51

The Imam going to establish peace among people

Narrated Sahl bin Sa`d As-Saidi:There was some quarrel (sighting) among Bani `Amr, and when this news reached the Prophet, he offered the Zuhr prayer and went to establish peace among them. In the meantime the time of `Asr prayer was due, Bilal pronounced the Adhan and then the Iqama for the prayer and requested Abu Bakr (to lead the prayer) and Abu Bakr went forward. The Prophet (ﷺ) arrived while Abu Bakr was still praying. He entered the rows of praying people till he stood behind Abu Bakr in the (first) row. The people started clapping, and it was the habit of Abu Bakr that whenever he stood for prayer, he never glanced side-ways till he had finished it, but when Abu Bakr observed that the clapping was not coming to an end, he looked and saw the Prophet (ﷺ) standing behind him. The Prophet (ﷺ) beckoned him to carry on by waving his hand. Abu Bakr stood there for a while, thanking Allah for the saying of the Prophet (ﷺ) and then he retreated, taking his steps backwards. When the Prophet saw that, he went ahead and led the people in prayer. When he finished the prayer, he said, ’’O Abu Bakr! What prevented you from carrying on with the prayer after I beckoned you to do so?’’ Abu Bakr replied, ’’It does not befit the son of Abi Quhafa to lead the Prophet (ﷺ) in prayer.’’ Then the Prophet (ﷺ) said to the people, ’’If some problem arises during prayers, then the men should say, Subhan Allah!; and the women should clap.’’ (See Hadith No. 652, Vol. 1)

Sahih al-Bukhari 7190
Book: 93
Hadith: 52

It is desirable that a scribe should be honest and wise

Narrated Zaid bin Thabit:Abu Bakr sent for me owing to the large number of casualties in the battle of Al-Yamama, while `Umar was sitting with him. Abu Bakr said (to me), `Umar has come to my and said, ’A great number of Qaris of the Holy Qur’an were killed on the day of the battle of Al-Yamama, and I am afraid that the casualties among the Qaris of the Qur’an may increase on other battle-fields whereby a large part of the Qur’an may be lost. Therefore I consider it advisable that you (Abu Bakr) should have the Qur’an collected.’ I said, ’How dare I do something which Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) did not do?’ `Umar said, By Allah, it is something beneficial.’ `Umar kept on pressing me for that till Allah opened my chest for that for which He had opened the chest of `Umar and I had in that matter, the same opinion as `Umar had.’’ Abu Bakr then said to me (Zaid), ’’You are a wise young man and we do not have any suspicion about you, and you used to write the Divine Inspiration for Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ). So you should search for the fragmentary scripts of the Qur’an and collect it (in one Book).’’ Zaid further said: By Allah, if Abu Bakr had ordered me to shift a mountain among the mountains from one place to another it would not have been heavier for me than this ordering me to collect the Qur’an. Then I said (to `Umar and Abu Bakr), ’’How can you do something which Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) did not do?’’ Abu Bakr said, ’’By Allah, it is something beneficial.’’ Zaid added: So he (Abu Bakr) kept on pressing me for that until Allah opened my chest for that for which He had opened the chests of Abu Bakr and `Umar, and I had in that matter, the same opinion as theirs. So I started compiling the Qur’an by collecting it from the leafless stalks of the date-palm tree and from the pieces of leather and hides and from the stones, and from the chests of men (who had memorized the Qur’an). I found the last verses of Sirat-at-Tauba: (’’Verily there has come unto you an Apostle (Muhammad) from amongst yourselves--’ (9.128-129) ) from Khuza`ima or Abi Khuza`ima and I added to it the rest of the Sura. The manuscripts of the Qur’an remained with Abu Bakr till Allah took him unto Him. Then it remained with `Umar till Allah took him unto Him, and then with Hafsa bint `Umar.

Sahih al-Bukhari 7191
Book: 93
Hadith: 53

The writing of a letter by the ruler to representatives and by judge to workers

Narrated Abu Laila bin `Abdullah bin `Abdur-Rahman bin Sahl:Sahl bin Abi Hathma and some great men of his tribe said, `Abdullah bin ’Sahl and Muhaiyisa went out to Khaibar as they were struck with poverty and difficult living conditions. Then Muhaiyisa was informed that `Abdullah had been killed and thrown in a pit or a spring. Muhaiyisa went to the Jews and said, ’’By Allah, you have killed my companion.’’ The Jews said, ’’By Allah, we have not killed him.’’ Muhaiyisa then came back to his people and told them the story. He, his elder brother Huwaiyisa and `Abdur-Rahman bin Sahl came (to the Prophet) and he who had been at Khaibar, proceeded to speak, but the Prophet (ﷺ) said to Muhaiyisa, ’’The eldest! The eldest!’’ meaning, ’’Let the eldest of you speak.’’ So Huwaiyisa spoke first and then Muhaiyisa. Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, ’’The Jews should either pay the blood money of your (deceased) companion or be ready for war.’’ After that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) wrote a letter to the Jews in that respect, and they wrote that they had not killed him. Then Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said to Huwaiyisa, Muhaiyisa and `Abdur-Rahman, ’’Can you take an oath by which you will be entitled to take the blood money?’’ They said, ’’No.’’ He said (to them), ’’Shall we ask the Jews to take an oath before you?’’ They replied, ’’But the Jews are not Muslims.’’ So Allah’s Apostle gave them one-hundred she-camels as blood money from himself. Sahl added: When those she-camels were made to enter the house, one of them kicked me with its leg.

Sahih al-Bukhari 7192
Book: 93
Hadith: 54

To send one man only to manage certain affairs

Narrated Abu Huraira and Zaid bin Khalid Al-Juhani:A bedouin came and said, ’’O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! Judge between us according to Allah’s Book (Laws).’’ His opponent stood up and said, ’’He has said the truth, so judge between us according to Allah’s Laws.’’ The bedouin said, ’’My son was a laborer for this man and committed illegal sexual intercourse with his wife. The people said to me, ’Your son is to be stoned to death,’ so I ransomed my son for one hundred sheep and a slave girl. Then I asked the religious learned men and they said to me, ’Your son has to receive one hundred lashes plus one year of exile.’ ’’ The Prophet (ﷺ) said, ’’I shall judge between you according to Allah’s Book (Laws)! As for the slave girl and the sheep, it shall be returned to you, and your son shall receive one-hundred lashes and be exiled for one year. O you, Unais!’’ The Prophet (ﷺ) addressed some man, ’’Go in the morning to the wife of this man and stone her to death.’’ So Unais went to her the next morning and stoned her to death.

Sahih al-Bukhari 7193, 7194
Book: 93
Hadith: 55

The translators of a ruler

Kharija bin Zaid bin Thabit said that Zaid bin Thabit said, ’’The Prophet (ﷺ) ordered me to learn the writing of the Jews. I even wrote letters for the Prophet (ﷺ) (to the Jews) and also read their letters when they wrote to him.’’ And ’Umar said in the presence of ’Ali, ’Abdur-Rahman, and ’Uthman, ’’What is this woman saying?’’ (the woman was non-Arab) ’Abdur-Rahman bin Hatib said:’’She is informing you about her companion who has committed illegal sexual intercourse with her.’’ Abu Jamra said, ’’I was an interpreter between Ibn ’Abbas and the people.’’ Some people said, ’’A ruler should have two interpreters.’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7195
Book: 93
Hadith: 56

The translators of a ruler

Narrated `Abdullah bin `Abbas:That Abu Sufyan bin Harb told him that Heraclius had called him along with the members of a Quraish caravan and then said to his interpreter, ’’Tell them that I want to ask this (Abu Sufyan) a question, and if he tries to tell me a lie, they should contradict him.’’ Then Abu Sufyan mentioned the whole narration and said that Heraclius said to the inter Peter, ’’Say to him (Abu Sufyan), ’If what you say is true, then he (the Prophet) will take over the place underneath my two feet.’ ’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7196
Book: 93
Hadith: 57

The ruler calling his employees to account

Narrated Abu Humaid As-Sa`idi:The Prophet (ﷺ) employed Ibn Al-Utbiyya to collect Zakat from Bani Sulaim, and when he returned (with the money) to Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) the Prophet (ﷺ) called him to account, and he said, ’’This (amount) is for you, and this was given to me as a present.’’ Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, ’’Why don’t you stay at your father’s house or your mother’s house to see whether you will be given gifts or not, if you are telling the truth?’’ Then Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) stood up and addressed the people, and after glorifying and praising Allah, he said: Amma Ba’du (then after) I employ some men from among you for some job which Allah has placed in my charge, and then one of you comes to me and says, ’This (amount) is for you and this is a gift given to me.’ Why doesn’t he stay at the house of his father or the house of his mother and see whether he will be given gifts or not if he was telling the truth by Allah, none of you takes anything of it (i.e., Zakat) for himself (Hisham added: unlawfully) but he will meet Allah on the Day of Resurrection carrying it on his neck! I do not want to see any of you carrying a grunting camel or a mooing cow or a bleating sheep on meeting Allah.’’ Then the Prophet (ﷺ) raised both his hands till I saw the whiteness of his armpits, and said, ’’(No doubt)! Haven’t I conveyed Allah’s Message!’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7197
Book: 93
Hadith: 58

The courtiers and advisers of the Imam

Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri:The Prophet (ﷺ) said, ’’Allah never sends a prophet or gives the Caliphate to a Caliph but that he (the prophet or the Caliph) has two groups of advisors: A group advising him to do good and exhorts him to do it, and the other group advising him to do evil and exhorts him to do it. But the protected person (against such evil advisors) is the one protected by Allah.’ ’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7198
Book: 93
Hadith: 59

How do the people give the Bai’a to the Imam

Narrated ’Ubada bin As-Samit:We gave the oath of allegiance to Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) that we would listen to and obey him both at the time when we were active and at the time when we were tired and that we would not fight against the ruler or disobey him, and would stand firm for the truth or say the truth wherever we might be, and in the Way of Allah we would not be afraid of the blame of the blamers. (See Hadith No. 178 and 320)

Sahih al-Bukhari 7199, 7200
Book: 93
Hadith: 60

How do the people give the Bai’a to the Imam

Narrated Anas:The Prophet (ﷺ) went out on a cold morning while the Muhajirin (emigrants) and the Ansar were digging the trench. The Prophet (ﷺ) then said, ’’O Allah! The real goodness is the goodness of the Here after, so please forgive the Ansar and the Muhajirin.’’ They replied, ’’We are those who have given the Pledge of allegiance to Muhammad for to observe Jihad as long as we remain alive.’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7201
Book: 93
Hadith: 61

How do the people give the Bai’a to the Imam

Narrated `Abdullah bin `Umar:Whenever we gave the Pledge of allegiance to Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) for to listen to and obey, he used to say to us, for as much as you can.’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7202
Book: 93
Hadith: 62

How do the people give the Bai’a to the Imam

Narrated `Abdullah bin Dinar:I witnessed Ibn `Umar when the people gathered around `Abdul Malik. Ibn `Umar wrote: I gave the Pledge of allegiance that I will listen to and obey Allah’s Slave, `Abdul Malik, Chief of the believers according to Allah’s Laws and the Traditions of His Apostle as much as I can; and my sons too, give the same pledge.’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7203
Book: 93
Hadith: 63

How do the people give the Bai’a to the Imam

Narrated Jabir bin `Abdullah:I gave the Pledge of allegiance to the Prophet (ﷺ) that I would listen and obey, and he told me to add: ’As much as I can, and will give good advice to every Muslim.’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7204
Book: 93
Hadith: 64

How do the people give the Bai’a to the Imam

Narrated `Abdullah bin Dinar:When the people took the oath of allegiance to `Abdul Malik, `Abdullah bin `Umar wrote to him: ’’To Allah’s Slave, `Abdul Malik, Chief of the believers, I give the Pledge of allegiance that I will listen to and obey Allah’s Slave, `Abdul Malik, Chief of the believers, according to Allah’s Laws and the Traditions of His Apostle in whatever is within my ability; and my sons too, give the same pledge.’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7205
Book: 93
Hadith: 65

How do the people give the Bai’a to the Imam

Narrated Yazid:I said to Salama, ’’For what did you give the Pledge of allegiance to the Prophet (ﷺ) on the Day of Hudaibiya?’’ He replied, ’’For death.’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7206
Book: 93
Hadith: 66

How do the people give the Bai’a to the Imam

Narrated Al-Miswar bin Makhrama:The group of people whom `Umar had selected as candidates for the Caliphate gathered and consulted each other. `Abdur-Rahman said to them, ’’I am not going to compete with you in this matter, but if you wish, I would select for you a caliph from among you.’’ So all of them agreed to let `Abdur-Rahman decide the case. So when the candidates placed the case in the hands of `Abdur-Rahman, the people went towards him and nobody followed the rest of the group nor obeyed any after him. So the people followed `Abdur-Rahman and consulted him all those nights till there came the night we gave the oath of allegiance to `Uthman. Al-Miswar (bin Makhrama) added: `Abdur-Rahman called on me after a portion of the night had passed and knocked on my door till I got up, and he said to me, ’’I see you have been sleeping! By Allah, during the last three nights I have not slept enough. Go and call Az-Zubair and Sa`d.’ So I called them for him and he consulted them and then called me saying, ’Call `Ali for me.’’ I called `Ali and he held a private talk with him till very late at night, and then ’Al, got up to leave having had much hope (to be chosen as a Caliph) but `Abdur-Rahman was afraid of something concerning `Ali. `Abdur-Rahman then said to me, ’’Call `Uthman for me.’’ I called him and he kept on speaking to him privately till the Mu’adh-dhin put an end to their talk by announcing the Adhan for the Fajr prayer. When the people finished their morning prayer and that (six men) group gathered near the pulpit, `Abdur-Rahman sent for all the Muhajirin (emigrants) and the Ansar present there and sent for the army chief who had performed the Hajj with `Umar that year. When all of them had gathered, `Abdur- Rahman said, ’’None has the right to be worshipped but Allah,’’ and added, ’’Now then, O `Ali, I have looked at the people’s tendencies and noticed that they do not consider anybody equal to `Uthman, so you should not incur blame (by disagreeing).’’ Then `Abdur-Rahman said (to `Uthman), ’’I gave the oath of allegiance to you on condition that you will follow Allah’s Laws and the traditions of Allah’s Apostle and the traditions of the two Caliphs after him.’’ So `Abdur-Rahman gave the oath of allegiance to him, and so did the people including the Muhajirin (emigrants) and the Ansar and the chiefs of the army staff and all the Muslims.

Sahih al-Bukhari 7207
Book: 93
Hadith: 67

Whosoever gave the Bai’a twice

Narrated Salama:We gave the oath of allegiance to the Prophet (ﷺ) under the tree. He said to me, ’’O Salama! Will you not give the oath of allegiance?’’ I replied, ’’O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! I have already given the oath of allegiance for the first time.’’ He said, (Give it again) for the second time.

Sahih al-Bukhari 7208
Book: 93
Hadith: 68

The giving of the Bai’a by the bedouins

Narrated Jabir bin `Abdullah:A bedouin gave the Pledge of allegiance to Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) for Islam and the bedouin got a fever where upon he said to the Prophet (ﷺ) ’’Cancel my Pledge.’’ But the Prophet (ﷺ) refused. He came to him (again) saying, ’’Cancel my Pledge.’ But the Prophet (ﷺ) refused. Then (the bedouin) left (Medina). Allah’s Apostle said: ’’Medina is like a pair of bellows (furnace): It expels its impurities and brightens and clears its good.’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7209
Book: 93
Hadith: 69

The Bai’a of a child

Narrated `Abdullah bin Hisham:who was born during the lifetime of the Prophet (ﷺ) that his mother, Zainab bint Humaid had taken him to Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) and said, ’’O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! Take his Pledge of allegiance (for Islam).’’ The Prophet (ﷺ) said, ’’He (`Abdullah bin Hisham) is a little child,’’ and passed his hand over his head and invoked Allah for him. `Abdullah bin Hisham used to slaughter one sheep as a sacrifice on behalf of all of his family.

Sahih al-Bukhari 7210
Book: 93
Hadith: 70

Whoever gave the Bai’a and then cancelled it

Narrated Jabir bin `Abdullah:A bedouin gave the Pledge of allegiance to Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) for Islam. Then the bedouin got fever at Medina, came to Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) and said, ’’O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! Cancel my Pledge,’’ But Allah’s Apostle refused. Then he came to him (again) and said, ’’O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! Cancel my Pledge.’’ But the Prophet (ﷺ) refused Then he came to him (again) and said, ’’O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! Cancel my Pledge.’’ But the Prophet (ﷺ) refused. The bedouin finally went out (of Medina) whereupon Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, ’’Medina is like a pair of bellows (furnace): It expels its impurities and brightens and clears its good.

Sahih al-Bukhari 7211
Book: 93
Hadith: 71

The person who gives Bai’a just for worldly benefits

Narrated Abu Huraira:Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, ’’There will be three types of people whom Allah will neither speak to them on the Day of Resurrection nor will purify them from sins, and they will have a painful punishment: They are, (1) a man possessed superfluous water (more than he needs) on a way and he withholds it from the travelers. (2) a man who gives a pledge of allegiance to an Imam (ruler) and gives it only for worldly benefits, if the Imam gives him what he wants, he abides by his pledge, otherwise he does not fulfill his pledge; (3) and a man who sells something to another man after the `Asr prayer and swears by Allah (a false oath) that he has been offered so much for it whereupon the buyer believes him and buys it although in fact, the seller has not been offered such a price.’’ (See Hadith No. 838, Vol. 3)

Sahih al-Bukhari 7212
Book: 93
Hadith: 72

The Bai’a given by women

Narrated ’Ubada bin As-Samit:Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said to us while we were in a gathering, ’’Give me the oath (Pledge of allegiance for: (1) Not to join anything in worship along with Allah, (2) Not to steal, (3) Not to commit illegal sexual intercourse, (4) Not to kill your children, (5) Not to accuse an innocent person (to spread such an accusation among people), (6) Not to be disobedient (when ordered) to do good deeds. The Prophet (ﷺ) added: Whoever amongst you fulfill his pledge, his reward will be with Allah, and whoever commits any of those sins and receives the legal punishment in this world for that sin, then that punishment will be an expiation for that sin, and whoever commits any of those sins and Allah does not expose him, then it is up to Allah if He wishes He will punish him or if He wishes, He will forgive him.’’ So we gave the Pledge for that. (See Hadith No. 17, Vol. 1)

Sahih al-Bukhari 7213
Book: 93
Hadith: 73

The Bai’a given by women

Narrated `Aisha:The Prophet (ﷺ) used to take the Pledge of allegiance from the women by words only after reciting this Holy Verse:--(60.12) ’’..that they will not associate anything in worship with Allah.’’ (60.12) And the hand of Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) did not touch any woman’s hand except the hand of that woman his right hand possessed. (i.e. his captives or his lady slaves).

Sahih al-Bukhari 7214
Book: 93
Hadith: 74

The Bai’a given by women

Narrated Um Atiyya:We gave the Pledge of allegiance to the Prophet (ﷺ) and he recited to me the verse (60.12). That they will not associate anything in worship with Allah (60.12). And he also prevented us from wailing and lamenting over the dead. A woman from us held her hand out and said, ’’Such-and-such a woman cried over a dead person belonging to my family and I want to compensate her for that crying’’ The Prophet did not say anything in reply and she left and returned. None of those women abided by her pledge except Um Sulaim, Um Al-`Ala’, and the daughter of Abi Sabra, the wife of Al-Mu`adh or the daughter of Abi Sabra, and the wife of Mu`adh.

Sahih al-Bukhari 7215
Book: 93
Hadith: 75

Whoever violates a Bai’a

Narrated Jabir:A bedouin came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, ’’Please take my Pledge of allegiance for Islam.’’ So the Prophet took from him the Pledge of allegiance for Islam. He came the next day with a fever and said to the Prophet (ﷺ) ’’Cancel my pledge.’’ But the Prophet (ﷺ) refused and when the bedouin went away, the Prophet said, ’’Medina is like a pair of bellows (furnace): It expels its impurities and brightens and clears its good.’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7216
Book: 93
Hadith: 76

The appointment of a caliph

Narrated Al-Qasim bin Muhammad:`Aisha said, ’’O my head!’’ Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, ’’If that (i.e., your death) should happen while I am still alive, I would ask Allah to forgive you and would invoke Allah for you.’’ `Aisha said, ’’O my life which is going to be lost! By Allah, I think that you wish for my death, and if that should happen then you would be busy enjoying the company of one of your wives in the last part of that day.’’ The Prophet said, ’’But I should say, ’O my head!’ I feel like calling Abu Bakr and his son and appoint (the former as my successors lest people should say something or wish for something. Allah will insist (on Abu Bakr becoming a Caliph) and the believers will prevent (anyone else from claiming the Caliphate),’’ or ’’..Allah will prevent (anyone else from claiming the Caliphate) and the believers will insist (on Abu Bakr becoming the Caliph).

Sahih al-Bukhari 7217
Book: 93
Hadith: 77

The appointment of a caliph

Narrated `Abdullah bin `Umar:It was said to `Umar, ’’Will you appoint your successor?’’ `Umar said, ’’If I appoint a Caliph (as my successor) it is true that somebody who was better than I (i.e., Abu Bakr) did so, and if I leave the matter undecided, it is true that somebody who was better than I (i.e., Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)) did so.’’ On this, the people praised him. `Umar said, ’’People are of two kinds: Either one who is keen to take over the Caliphate or one who is afraid of assuming such a responsibility. I wish I could be free from its responsibility in that I would receive neither reward nor retribution I won’t bear the burden of the caliphate in my death as I do in my life.’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7218
Book: 93
Hadith: 78

The appointment of a caliph

Narrated Anas bin Malik:That he heard `Umar’s second speech he delivered when he sat on the pulpit on the day following the death of the Prophet (ﷺ) `Umar recited the Tashahhud while Abu Bakr was silent. `Umar said, ’’I wish that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) had outlived all of us, i.e., had been the last (to die). But if Muhammad is dead, Allah nevertheless has kept the light amongst you from which you can receive the same guidance as Allah guided Muhammad with that. And Abu Bakr is the companion of Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) He is the second of the two in the cave. He is the most entitled person among the Muslims to manage your affairs. Therefore get up and swear allegiance to him.’’ Some people had already taken the oath of allegiance to him in the shed of Bani Sa`ida but the oath of allegiance taken by the public was taken at the pulpit. I heard `Umar saying to Abu Bakr on that day. ’’Please ascend the pulpit,’’ and kept on urging him till he ascended the pulpit whereupon, all the people swore allegiance to him.

Sahih al-Bukhari 7219
Book: 93
Hadith: 79

The appointment of a caliph

Narrated Jubair bin Mut`im:A woman came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and spoke to him about something and he told her to return to him. She said, ’’O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! If I come and do not find you?’’ (As if she meant, ’’...if you die?’’) The Prophet said, ’’If you should not find me, then go to Abu Bakr.’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7220
Book: 93
Hadith: 80

The appointment of a caliph

Narrated Tariq bin Shihab:Abu Bakr said to the delegate of Buzakha. ’’Follow the tails of the camels till Allah shows the Caliph (successor) of His Prophet and Al-Muhajirin (emigrants) something because of which you may excuse yourselves.’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7221
Book: 93
Hadith: 81

Narrated Jabir bin Samura:I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) saying, ’’There will be twelve Muslim rulers (who will rule all the Islamic world).’’ He then said a sentence which I did not hear. My father said, ’’All of them (those rulers) will be from Quraish.’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7222, 7223
Book: 93
Hadith: 82

The expulsion of quarrelsome people from houses

Narrated Abu Huraira:Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, ’’By Him in Whose Hands my life is, I was about to order for collecting fire wood and then order someone to pronounce the Adhan for the prayer and then order someone to lead the people in prayer and then I would go from behind and burn the houses of men who did not present themselves for the (compulsory congregational) prayer. By Him in Whose Hands my life is, if anyone of you had known that he would receive a bone covered with meat or two (small) pieces of meat present in between two ribs, he would come for `Isha’ prayer.’’ (See Hadith No. 617, Vol. 1)

Sahih al-Bukhari 7224
Book: 93
Hadith: 83

To forbid the criminals and sinners to talk to or visit the ruler

Narrated `Abdullah bin Ka`b bin Malik:Who was Ka`b’s guide from among his sons when Ka`b became blind: I heard Ka`b bin Malik saying, ’’When some people remained behind and did not join Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) in the battle of Tabuk..’’ and then he described the whole narration and said, ’’Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) forbade the Muslims to speak to us, and so we (I and my companions) stayed fifty nights in that state, and then Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) announced Allah’s acceptance of our repentance.’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 7225
Book: 93
Hadith: 84