33/5. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1829a — Everyone Is a Shepherd
The virtue of a just ruler and the punishment of a tyrant; Encouragement to treat those under one's authority with kindness and the prohibition against causing them hardship
Every One of You Is a Shepherd: A Hadith on Responsibility
Sahih Muslim : 1829a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1829a
حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا لَيْثٌ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ رُمْحٍ، حَدَّثَنَا اللَّيْثُ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَّهُ قَالَ " أَلاَ كُلُّكُمْ رَاعٍ وَكُلُّكُمْ مَسْئُولٌ عَنْ رَعِيَّتِهِ فَالأَمِيرُ الَّذِي عَلَى النَّاسِ رَاعٍ وَهُوَ مَسْئُولٌ عَنْ رَعِيَّتِهِ وَالرَّجُلُ رَاعٍ عَلَى أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ وَهُوَ مَسْئُولٌ عَنْهُمْ وَالْمَرْأَةُ رَاعِيَةٌ عَلَى بَيْتِ بَعْلِهَا وَوَلَدِهِ وَهِيَ مَسْئُولَةٌ عَنْهُمْ وَالْعَبْدُ رَاعٍ عَلَى مَالِ سَيِّدِهِ وَهُوَ مَسْئُولٌ عَنْهُ أَلاَ فَكُلُّكُمْ رَاعٍ وَكُلُّكُمْ مَسْئُولٌ عَنْ رَعِيَّتِهِ " .
Ibn 'Umar Narrated from:
The Prophet (May be upon him) said: Beware. every one of you is a shepherd and every one is answerable with regard to his flock. The Caliph is a shepherd over the people and shall be questioned about his subjects (as to how he conducted their affairs). A man is a guardian over the members of his family and shal be questioned about them (as to how he looked after their physical and moral well-being).A woman is a guardian over the household of her husband and his children and shall be questioned about them (as to how she managed the household and brought up the children). A slave is a guardian over the property of his master and shall be questioned about it (as to how he safeguarded his trust). Beware, every one of you is a guardian and every one of you shall be questioned with regard to his trust.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1829aIn-book reference : Book 33, Hadith 24USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 20, Hadith 4496
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1829a
This Hadith is often searched as every one of you is a shepherd, and its message is direct. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم teaches that responsibility is not only for rulers. The Caliph is answerable for the people, a man is answerable for his family, a woman is answerable for the home and children under her care, and a slave is answerable for the property entrusted to him. The repeated wording makes the point clear: each person has a trust, and each person will be questioned about it. The Hadith about responsibility teaches careful leadership, family care, household trust, and honest handling of what belongs to others.
What we learn from this hadith
- Responsibility applies to different roles, not only to public rulers.
- Family, household, children, and property are trusts that need care.
- Authority comes with questioning and accountability.
- The Hadith encourages people to take their own duties seriously.
