33/77. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 2264 — Best and Worst Leaders
Regarding The Best Of Leaders And Their Worst
Hadith About the Best and Worst Leaders
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 2264
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 2264
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَامِرٍ الْعَقَدِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ أَبِي حُمَيْدٍ، عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ أَسْلَمَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " أَلاَ أُخْبِرُكُمْ بِخِيَارِ أُمَرَائِكُمْ وَشِرَارِهِمْ خِيَارُهُمُ الَّذِينَ تُحِبُّونَهُمْ وَيُحِبُّونَكُمْ وَتَدْعُونَ لَهُمْ وَيَدْعُونَ لَكُمْ وَشِرَارُ أُمَرَائِكُمُ الَّذِينَ تُبْغِضُونَهُمْ وَيُبْغِضُونَكُمْ وَتَلْعَنُونَهُمْ وَيَلْعَنُونَكُمْ " . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ غَرِيبٌ لاَ نَعْرِفُهُ إِلاَّ مِنْ حَدِيثِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي حُمَيْدٍ . وَمُحَمَّدٌ يُضَعَّفُ مِنْ قِبَلِ حِفْظِهِ .
'Umar bin Al-Khattab Narrated from:
The Prophet(s.a.w) said: "Shall I Not Inform You Of The Best Of Your Leaders And The Worst Of Them: The Best Of Them Are Those Whom You Love And They Love You, You Supplicate For Them, And They Supplicate For You. And The Evilest Of Your Leaders Are Those Who Hate You, And You Hate Them, And They Curse You And You Curse Them."
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2264In-book reference : Book 33, Hadith 107English translation : Vol. 4, Book 7, Hadith 2264
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 2264
This hadith about leaders describes two opposite types of rule. The best leaders are those whom the people love and who love the people. There is also a bond of dua between them: the people supplicate for them, and they supplicate for the people. The worst leaders are described with hatred on both sides and curses between ruler and people. The narration does not list policies or systems. It focuses on the moral relationship between leaders and those under their care. A healthy leadership bond is shown through love, prayer, and concern. A damaged bond is shown through hate, anger, and mutual cursing.
What we learn from this hadith
- Good leadership includes love and care between leaders and people.
- Supplication for one another is a sign of a healthier relationship.
- Hatred and cursing show a deeply damaged leadership bond.
- Leadership is judged not only by position but by moral effect.
