33/13. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1847b — Obeying the Amir in Hard Times
The obligation of staying with the Jama'ah (main body) of the muslims when Fitn (tribulations) appear, and in all circumstances. The prohibition of refusing to obey and on splitting away from the Jama'ah
Hadith About Obeying the Amir During Difficult Times
Sahih Muslim : 1847b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1847b
وَحَدَّثَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ سَهْلِ بْنِ عَسْكَرٍ التَّمِيمِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ حَسَّانَ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الدَّارِمِيُّ، أَخْبَرَنَا يَحْيَى، - وَهُوَ ابْنُ حَسَّانَ - حَدَّثَنَا مُعَاوِيَةُ، - يَعْنِي ابْنَ سَلاَّمٍ - حَدَّثَنَا زَيْدُ بْنُ سَلاَّمٍ، عَنْ أَبِي سَلاَّمٍ، قَالَ قَالَ حُذَيْفَةُ بْنُ الْيَمَانِ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّا كُنَّا بِشَرٍّ فَجَاءَ اللَّهُ بِخَيْرٍ فَنَحْنُ فِيهِ فَهَلْ مِنْ وَرَاءِ هَذَا الْخَيْرِ شَرٌّ قَالَ نَعَمْ . قُلْتُ هَلْ وَرَاءَ ذَلِكَ الشَّرِّ خَيْرٌ قَالَ " نَعَمْ " . قُلْتُ فَهَلْ وَرَاءَ ذَلِكَ الْخَيْرِ شَرٌّ قَالَ " نَعَمْ " . قُلْتُ كَيْفَ قَالَ " يَكُونُ بَعْدِي أَئِمَّةٌ لاَ يَهْتَدُونَ بِهُدَاىَ وَلاَ يَسْتَنُّونَ بِسُنَّتِي وَسَيَقُومُ فِيهِمْ رِجَالٌ قُلُوبُهُمْ قُلُوبُ الشَّيَاطِينِ فِي جُثْمَانِ إِنْسٍ " . قَالَ قُلْتُ كَيْفَ أَصْنَعُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنْ أَدْرَكْتُ ذَلِكَ قَالَ " تَسْمَعُ وَتُطِيعُ لِلأَمِيرِ وَإِنْ ضُرِبَ ظَهْرُكَ وَأُخِذَ مَالُكَ فَاسْمَعْ وَأَطِعْ " .
Hudhaifah bin Al-Yaman Narrated from:
Messenger of Allah, no doubt, we had an evil time (i. e. the days of Jahiliyya or ignorance) and God brought us a good time (i. e. Islamic period) through which we are now living Will there be a bad time after this good time? He (the Holy Prophet) said: Yes. I said: Will there be a good time after this bad time? He said: Yes. I said: Will there be a bad time after good time? He said: Yes.I said: How? Whereupon he said: There will be leaders who will not be led by my guidance and who will not adopt my ways? There will be among them men who will have the hearts of devils in the bodies of human beings. I said: What should I do. Messenger of Allah, if I (happen) to live in that time? He replied: You will listen to the Amir and carry out his orders; even if your back is flogged and your wealth is snatched, you should listen and obey.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1847bIn-book reference : Book 33, Hadith 82USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 20, Hadith 4554
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1847b
This hadith about obeying the Amir presents a hard situation. Hudhaifa asked whether evil would come after good, then whether good and evil would return again. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم spoke of leaders who would not follow his guidance or his way, and men with hearts described as the hearts of devils in human bodies. When Hudhaifa asked what to do if he lived to see that time, the answer was to listen to the Amir and carry out his orders, even if a person faced personal harm. The hadith is often searched as obey the ruler even if he oppresses hadith. The wording here focuses on obedience, patience, and avoiding chaos during a very difficult test.
What we learn from this hadith
- Some future leaders may not follow the Prophet’s guidance as they should.
- A believer may face painful tests under leadership.
- The hadith tells the listener to maintain obedience to the Amir in that stated situation.
- The text warns against being pulled into disorder because of harsh conditions.
