39/32. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 4201 — Good and Bad Advisers
The Inner Circle Of The Imam
Leadership Advisers: Good Counsel Versus Corrupt Influence
Sunan an-Nasai : 4201
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 4201
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مُعَمَّرُ بْنُ يَعْمَرَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي مُعَاوِيَةُ بْنُ سَلاَّمٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي الزُّهْرِيُّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو سَلَمَةَ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " مَا مِنْ وَالٍ إِلاَّ وَلَهُ بِطَانَتَانِ بِطَانَةٌ تَأْمُرُهُ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَتَنْهَاهُ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَبِطَانَةٌ لاَ تَأْلُوهُ خَبَالاً فَمَنْ وُقِيَ شَرَّهَا فَقَدْ وُقِيَ وَهُوَ مِنَ الَّتِي تَغْلِبُ عَلَيْهِ مِنْهُمَا " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah said: 'No ruler is appointed but he has tow groups of advisers: A group which urges him to do good and tells him not to do evil, and a group which does its best to corrupt him. Whoever is protected from their evil is indeed protected. And he (the ruler) belongs to the group that has the greater influence over him.
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 4201In-book reference : Book 39, Hadith 53English translation : Vol. 5, Book 39, Hadith 4206
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 4201
This hadith about leadership advisers explains that a ruler may be surrounded by two very different circles. One group urges him to do good and warns him against evil. The other works to corrupt him. The text also says that the ruler belongs to the group that gains the greater influence over him. This makes the choice of close advisers a serious part of leadership. Good counsel can call a leader toward right action, while corrupt influence can pull him toward harm. The hadith also states that whoever is protected from the evil of the corrupt group is truly protected. It does not say that a position of authority removes moral danger. Instead, it shows that power can make the character and influence of close companions especially important.
What we learn from this hadith
- A ruler may receive both good advice and corrupt advice.
- Good advisers call toward right conduct and warn against evil.
- The stronger group of advisers can shape the ruler's direction.
- Protection from corrupt influence is a real form of protection.
