33/12. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1846b — Obedience and Accountability
Obeying Rulers even if they withhold the people's rights
Hadith About Obedience and Personal Accountability
Sahih Muslim : 1846b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1846b
وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا شَبَابَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ سِمَاكٍ، بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ مِثْلَهُ وَقَالَ فَجَذَبَهُ الأَشْعَثُ بْنُ قَيْسٍ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " اسْمَعُوا وَأَطِيعُوا فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْهِمْ مَا حُمِّلُوا وَعَلَيْكُمْ مَا حُمِّلْتُمْ " .
Simak Narrated from:
Ash'ath b. Qais pulled him (Salama b. Yazid) when the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Listen to them and obey them, for on them shall be the burden of what they do and on you shall be the burden of what you do.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1846bIn-book reference : Book 33, Hadith 80USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 20, Hadith 4552
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1846b
This hadith about obedience to leaders gives a short but weighty lesson. The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said to listen and obey, then pointed out that each side carries its own burden. Leaders are answerable for what they are entrusted with, and followers are answerable for what they are entrusted with. The hadith does not ask a person to approve every action of a leader. It focuses on order, responsibility, and personal accountability in Islam. For anyone searching for listen and obey hadith or obey the Amir hadith, the key message is clear: do your duty before Allah and do not carry the blame of another person’s actions as your own.
What we learn from this hadith
- Listening and obeying is linked with keeping order in the community.
- Leaders carry the burden of their own actions and duties.
- Followers are still responsible for what they themselves are commanded to carry.
- The hadith teaches accountability without shifting blame to others.
