93/8. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 7150 — Honest Leadership
The ruler not ruling in an honest manner
Hadith About Honest Leadership and Caring for People
Sahih Bukhari : 7150
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 7150
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو نُعَيْمٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الأَشْهَبِ، عَنِ الْحَسَنِ، أَنَّ عُبَيْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ زِيَادٍ، عَادَ مَعْقِلَ بْنَ يَسَارٍ فِي مَرَضِهِ الَّذِي مَاتَ فِيهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ مَعْقِلٌ إِنِّي مُحَدِّثُكَ حَدِيثًا سَمِعْتُهُ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ " مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ اسْتَرْعَاهُ اللَّهُ رَعِيَّةً، فَلَمْ يَحُطْهَا بِنَصِيحَةٍ، إِلاَّ لَمْ يَجِدْ رَائِحَةَ الْجَنَّةِ ".
Ma'qil Narrated from:
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."
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 7150In-book reference : Book 93, Hadith 14USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 9, Book 89, Hadith 264
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 7150
This hadith about honest leadership teaches that authority is not just power. It is a trust from Allah. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) warns that a person placed over people must look after them with sincere care and advice. The key message is simple: a leader should not use his position for himself while ignoring those under his care. The phrase about not smelling Paradise shows how serious dishonest leadership is in this narration. For anyone searching for a hadith about rulers and responsibility, this text gives a direct warning. Leadership in Islam means care, honesty, and protecting the people one has been given charge over.
What we learn from this hadith
- Authority over people is a trust from Allah.
- A leader must look after people with honesty and sincere concern.
- Neglecting people under one’s care is treated as a serious sin in this hadith.
- Leadership should be connected with service, not personal gain.
