1/63. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 142a — Leadership Accountability in Islam
One in charge of a matter, who cheats his subjects, deserves the fire
Leadership Accountability Hadith: A Warning Against Dishonest Rule
Sahih Muslim : 142a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 142a
حَدَّثَنَا شَيْبَانُ بْنُ فَرُّوخَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الأَشْهَبِ، عَنِ الْحَسَنِ، قَالَ عَادَ عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ زِيَادٍ مَعْقِلَ بْنَ يَسَارٍ الْمُزَنِيَّ فِي مَرَضِهِ الَّذِي مَاتَ فِيهِ . قَالَ مَعْقِلٌ إِنِّي مُحَدِّثُكَ حَدِيثًا سَمِعْتُهُ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم لَوْ عَلِمْتُ أَنَّ لِي حَيَاةً مَا حَدَّثْتُكَ إِنِّي سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ " مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ يَسْتَرْعِيهِ اللَّهُ رَعِيَّةً يَمُوتُ يَوْمَ يَمُوتُ وَهُوَ غَاشٌّ لِرَعِيَّتِهِ إِلاَّ حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ الْجَنَّةَ " .
Al-Hasan Narrated from:
'Ubaidullah b. Ziyad paid a visit to Ma'qil b. Yasar Muzani in his illness of which he (later on) died. (At this juncture) Ma'qil said: I am going to narrate to you a hadith which I have heard from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and which I would not have transmitted if I knew that I would survive. Verily I have heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: There is none amongst the bondsmen who was entrusted with the affairs of his subjects and he died in such a state that he was dishonest in his dealings with those over whom he ruled except that Paradise is forbidden for him.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 142aIn-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 270USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 1, Hadith 261
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 142a
This leadership accountability hadith gives a strong warning to anyone trusted with people’s affairs. The main message is simple: authority is not a place for selfishness or deceit. The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said that a person entrusted with subjects, then dying while dishonest toward them, faces a severe warning regarding Paradise. The hadith about dishonest rulers is not only about a public ruler; its words focus on anyone given care over others. The core issue is betrayal of trust. When people depend on a leader, that leader must deal with them honestly. This hadith reminds us that leadership in Islam is a responsibility before Allah, not a chance to harm, cheat, or neglect those under one’s care.
What we learn from this hadith
- Leadership is a trust, not just a position of power.
- Dishonesty toward people under one’s care is treated as a grave matter.
- A person in authority should remember their end and accountability.
- Those who manage people’s affairs must avoid betrayal and deceit.
