33/8. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1837a — Listen and Obey
The obligation of obeying leaders in matters that do not involve sin, but it is forbidden to obey them in sinful matters
Listen and Obey Hadith: Abu Dharr’s Advice on Authority
Sahih Muslim : 1837a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1837a
وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، وَعَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ بَرَّادٍ الأَشْعَرِيُّ، وَأَبُو كُرَيْبٍ قَالُوا حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ إِدْرِيسَ، عَنْ شُعْبَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي عِمْرَانَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الصَّامِتِ، عَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ، قَالَ إِنَّ خَلِيلِي أَوْصَانِي أَنْ أَسْمَعَ وَأُطِيعَ وَإِنْ كَانَ عَبْدًا مُجَدَّعَ الأَطْرَافِ .
Abu Dharr Narrated from:
My friend (i. e. the Holy Prophet) advised me to listen (to the man in position of authority) and obey (him) even if he were a slave maimed (and disabled).
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1837aIn-book reference : Book 33, Hadith 53USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 20, Hadith 4525
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1837a
This hadith records Abu Dharr saying that his close friend, meaning the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, advised him to listen and obey the person in authority even if he were a maimed slave. The main search phrase "listen and obey hadith" fits this report because the wording is short and focused. The narration does not give a long legal discussion, nor does it mention every possible case. It presents a personal advice given to Abu Dharr: do not reject obedience simply because the person in authority has a low social position or a visible disability. That makes the core topic leadership obedience. The hadith teaches humility, discipline, and respect for the assigned authority described in the text.
What we learn from this hadith
- Abu Dharr received direct advice to listen and obey.
- The text mentions obedience even if the authority figure is a maimed slave.
- Social status is not made the reason to reject authority in this report.
- The narration teaches humility toward assigned leadership.
