to maintain the community, to listen, to obey, to emigrate, and to fight in God's path. He who secedes from the community as much as a span has cast off the tie of Islam from his neck unless he returns, and he who summons to what the pre-Islamic people believed belongs to the assemblies of jahannam even if he fasts, prays, and asserts that he is a Muslim.” Ahmad and Tirmidhi transmitted it.

I was with Abu Bakra under Ibn ‘Amir’s pulpit when he was preaching and wearing thin garments. Abu Bilal said, “Look at our governor wearing the garments of profligates,” whereupon Abu Bakra told him to be quiet, for he had heard God’s Messenger say, “He who despises God’s ruler in the earth will be despised by God.” Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is a hasan gharib tradition.

An-Nawwas b. Sam‘an reported God’s Messenger as saying, “A creature is not to be obeyed when it involves disobedience to the "Creator.” It is transmitted in Sharh as-sunna.

Abu Sa'id reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The one who will be dearest to God and nearest to Him in station of the day of resurrection will be a just imam, and the one who will be most hateful to God on the day of resurrection and will receive the severest punishment (or as a version has, will be farthest from Him in station) will be a tyrannical imam.” Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is a hasan gharib tradition.

He reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The most excellent jihad is when one speaks a true word in the presence of a tyrannical ruler.” Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it, and Ahmad and Nasa‘i transmitted it on the authority of Tariq b. Shihab.

‘A’isha reported God’s Messenger as saying, “When God has a good purpose for a ruler He appoints for him a sincere minister who reminds him if he forgets and helps him if he remembers; but when God has a different purpose from that for him He appoints for him an evil minister who does not remind him if he forgets and does not help him if he remembers.” Abu Dawud and Nasa’i transmitted it.

Abu Umama reported the Prophet as saying, ‘‘When a ruler seeks to make imputations against the people he corrupts them.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

‘A’isha reported God's Messenger as saying, “Do you know who will go first on the day of resurrection to the shade of God who is great and glorious?” Then on receiving the reply that God and His Messenger knew best, he said, “Those who when given what is right accept it, when asked for something give freely, and who judge in favour of others as they do for themselves.” Ahmad.

Mu'awiya reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If you are put in a position of authority, Mu'awiya, fear God and act justly.” He said that he kept thinking he would be afflicted by a governorship in accordance with what the Prophet had said till it actually came true. Ahmad. Baihaqi transmitted Mu‘awiya’s tradition in Dalail an-nubuwa.

Ibn ‘Umar reported the Prophet as saying, “The sultan is God’s shade on the earth to which each one of His servants who is wronged repairs. When he is just he will have a reward, and it is the duty of the common people to be grateful; but when he acts tyrannically the burden rests on him, and it is the duty of the common people to show endurance.” Baihaqi transmitted in Shuab al iman.

‘Umar b. al-Khattab reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The one among God’s servants who will have the best position with God on the day of resurrection will be a just and kindly iman, but the man who will have the worst position with God on the day of resurrection will be a tyrannical and harsh imam.” Baihaqi transmitted in Shuab al iman.

‘Abdallah b. ‘Amr reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If anyone gives his brother a look which frightens him, God will frighten him on the day of resurrection.” Baihaqi transmitted in Shuab al iman.

Abud Darda’ reported God’s Messenger as saying that God most high says, "I am God than whom there is no god, Master of kings, King of kings, in whose hands are the hearts of kings. When men obey me I turn the hearts of kings to them with mercy and gentleness, but when they disobey me I turn their hearts against them with displeasure and vengeance, and they inflict grievous punishment upon them. So do not occupy yourselves with invoking curses on kings, but occupy yourselves with remembrance of me and supplication that I may protect you against your kings.” Abu Nu'aim transmitted it in al-Hilya.

Abu Musa told that when God’s Messenger sent one of his companion’s to attend to some of his affairs he said, “Gladden people and do not scare them; make things easy and do not make them difficult. ’ (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Anas reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Make things easy and do not make them difficult; make people calm and do not scare them.’’ (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Sa'id reported the Prophet as saying, “Every perfidious one will have a standard at his anus on the day of resurrection.” A version has, “On the day of resurrection every perfidious one will have a standard which will be raised for him according to the amount of his perfidy, and no one is more perfidious than the ruler of a community.” Muslim transmitted it.

‘Amr b. Murra told that he said to Mu'awiya he had heard God’s Messenger say, "If anyone is put by God in authority over any matter concerning the Muslims and turns away from dealing with their need, destitution and poverty, God will turn away from dealing with his need, destitution and poverty.” Mu'awiya then appointed a man to deal with the needs of the people. Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi transmitted it. A version by Ahmad and Tirmidhi has, “God will lock the gates of heaven upon his destitution, need and poverty.”

Abush Shammakh al-Azdi was told by a cousin of his on his father’s side who was a companion of the Prophet that he had gone to Mu'awiya, entered his presence and told him he had heard God's Messenger say, "If one who has been given any authority over the people locks his gate against Muslims, or one who has been wronged, or one who has a need, God will lock the gates of His mercy against him when he has a need or is in poverty, however much he is in need of Him.” Baihaqi transmitted in Shuab al iman.

When 'Umar b. al-Khattab sent out his governors he laid on them the condition that they should not ride a horse not of Arabian breed,* or eat white bread, or wear fine clothing, or shut their gates against the needs of the people, telling them that if they did any of these things punishment would befall them. Then he would accompany them some distance. Baihaqi transmitted in Shuab al iman. * Birdhaun. This word is used of a horse of poor breed, a horse not of Arab breed, or more specifically a Turkish horse. It is suggested that the reason for the wording is to warn governors against riding horses, this being a sign of pride. Prohibiting a breed considered second-rate makes it obvious that to ride horses of the best Arab breed would be even a greater sign of pride.

Abu Bakra told that he heard God’s Messenger say, “No judge must give judgment between two people when he is angry.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

‘Abdallah b. ‘Amr and Abu Huraira reportad God’s Messenger as saying, “When a judge gives a decision having tried his best to decide correctly and is right, he will have a double reward; and when he gives a decision having tried his best to decide correctly and is wrong, he will have a single reward.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Buraida reported God’s Messenger as saying, "Qadis are of three types, one of whom will go to paradise and two to hell. The one who will go to paradise is a man who knows what is right and gives judgment accordingly; but a man who knows what is right and acts tyrannically in his judgment will go to hell, and a man who gives judgment for people when he is ignorant will go to hell.” Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If anyone seeks the office of qadi among Muslims till he gets it and his justice prevails over his tyranny, he will go to paradise; but the man whose tyranny prevails over his justice will go to hell." Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Mu'adh b. Jabal told that when God’s Messenger sent him to the Yemen he asked him how he would judge when the occasion arose, and he replied that he would judge in accordance with God’s Book. He asked what he would do if he could not find guidance in God’s Book, and he replied that he would act in accordance with God’s Messenger’s sunnah. He asked what he would do if he could find no guidance in God’s Messenger’s sunnah, and he replied that he would do his best to form an opinion and spare no pains. God’s Messenger then tapped him on the breast and said, “Praise be to God who has disposed His Messenger’s Messenger to something with which God’s Messenger is pleased!" Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Darimi transmitted it.

God's Messenger sent me to the Yemen as qadi and I said, “Messenger of God, are you sending me when I am young and have no knowledge of the duties of qadi He replied, “God will guide your heart and keep your tongue true. When two men bring a case before you do not decide in favour of the first till you hear what the other has to say, for it is best that you should have a clear idea of the best decision." He said he had no doubts about a decision afterwards. Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Said b. al-Musayyib told that a Muslim and a Jew brought a dispute before ‘Umar, and as he considered the Jew was in the right he pronounced judgment in his favour; but when the Jew said, “I swear by God that you have pronounced just judgment,” he struck him with the whip and asked him what caused him to know that. The Jew replied, “I swear by God that we find in the Torah that no qadi judges rightly without having an angel at his right hand and an angel at his left who direct him and dispose him to what is right as long as he adheres to the right; but when he abandons the right they ascend and leave him.” Malik transmitted it.

Ibn Mauhib told that when ‘Uthman b. ‘Affan asked Ibn ‘Umar to act as qadi among the people he asked the commander of the faithful to excuse him. He asked him what objection he had to that when his father had been holding such an office, and he replied that it was because he had heard God’s Messenger say, “If anyone is a qadi and fulfils the office with justice he should rather turn away from it with neither credit nor blame.”* After that he did not ask him again. Tirmidhi transmitted it. * Or, ‘without reward or punishment’. Razin’s version on the authority of Nafi' tells that Ibn ‘Umar said to ‘Uthman, “Commander of the faithful, I shall not pronounce judgment between two men.” He replied, “Your father used to do so.” He said, “If anything was dubious to my father he asked God’s Messenger, and if anything was dubious to God’s Messenger he asked Gabriel, but I can find no one to ask, and I heard God’s Messenger say, ‘He who seeks refuge in God has sought refuge in a great One.’ I also heard him say, ‘Grant refuge to him who seeks refuge in God’, and I seek refuge in God from your making me a qadi." So he excused him, but said, “Do not tell anyone.” Razin.

Abu Huraira reported God's Messenger as saying, “What I give you and do not withhold from you I am just distributing, putting it where I have been commanded." Bukhari transmitted it.

Khaula al-Ansariya reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Men will unjustly acquire for themselves property which belongs to God, and on the day of resurrection they will go to hell." Bukhari transmitted it.

'A’isha told that when Abu Bakr became caliph he said, “My people know that my trade was not incapable of supporting my family, but I have become occupied with the affairs of the Muslims, so Abu Bakr’s family will be supported from this property while he works for it on behalf of the Muslims." Bukhari transmitted it.

Buraida reported the Prophet as saying, “When we appoint someone to an administrative post and provide him with an allowance, anything he takes beyond that is unfaithful dealing." Abu Dawud transmitted it.

‘Umar said, “I held an administrative post in the time of God's Messenger, and he gave me payment for it." Abu Dawud transmitted it.

God’s Messenger sent me to the Yemen, but when I set off he sent after me and I was brought back. He then said, “Do you know why I sent for you? Do not take anything without my permission, for it is unfaithful dealing, and he who acts unfaithfully will come on the day of resurrection with the unfaithful deeds he has done. This is why I called you. Now go off to your task." Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Al-Mustadrid b. Shaddad told that he heard the Prophet say, “He who acts as a governor for us must get a wife; if he has not a servant he must get one, and if he has not a dwelling he must get one.” A version says, “He who takes anything else than that is acting unfaithfully.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

'Adi b. ‘Amira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If any of you people is put in an administrative post on our behalf and conceals from us a needle or more, he is acting unfaithfully and will bring it on the day of resurrection.” One of the Ansar then got up and said, “Messenger of God, take back from me my post.” He asked what that meant and he told him he had heard him say such and such. He replied, “And I say that. If we appoint anyone to an office he must bring what is connected with it, both little and much. What he is given he may take, but he must refrain from what is kept away from him.” Muslim and Abu Dawud transmitted it, the wording being the latter’s.

'Abdallah b. ‘Amr told that God’s Messenger cursed the one who bribes and the one who takes bribes. Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it. Tirmidhi transmitted it on ‘Abdallah’s authority and on that of Abu Huraira. Ahmad and Baihaqi, in Shu'ab al-iman, transmitted it on the authority of Thauban, who added that the raish is the go-between regarding a bribe.

God’s Messenger sent ordering me to collect my weapons and clothing and come to him. I came to him when he was performing ablution, and he said, “I sent for you, ‘Amr, to dispatch you on a matter in which God will keep you safe and grant you booty, and I shall make you an allotment from the spoil.” I replied, “My emigration, Messenger of God, was not for the sake of property, but was only for the sake of God and His Messenger.” He said, “Honest property is good ¹ for an honest man.” It is transmitted in Sharh as- sunna, and Ahmad transmitted something similar. His version has “Good is honest property ² for an honest man.” 1. Ni'imma bil mal as-salih. 2. Ni'ma’ al-mal as-salih.

Abu Umama reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If anyone intercedes for, someone and that one gives him for it a present which he accepts, he has been guilty of a serious type-of usury.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Abbas reported the Prophet as saying, “If people were given what they asked when they brought a case some would claim the lives and property of others; but the oath must be taken by the defendant.” Muslim transmitted it. In the commentary on his work by Nawawi it says that in Baihaqi’s version with an isnad which is hasan or sahih there is an addition on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas which is traced to the Prophet, “But the proof lies on the plaintiff and the oath must be taken by him who rejects the claim.”

Umm Salama reported God’s Messenger as saying, “I am only a human being and you bring your disputes to me, some perhaps being more eloquent in their plea than others, so that I give judgment on their behalf according to what I hear from them. Therefore whatever I decide for anyone which by right belongs to his brother he must not take, for I am granting him only a portion of hell.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

‘A'isha reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The man who is most hateful to God is the one who quarrels and disputes most.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Ibn ‘Abbas said that God's Messenger gave a decision on the basis of an oath and a single witness. Muslim transmitted it.

‘Alqama b. Wa’il told on his father’s authority that a man from Hadramaut and man from Kinda came to the Prophet, the Hadrami saying, ‘‘Messenger of God, this man has seized land belonging to me,” and the Kindi saying, “It is my land and in my possession; he has no right to it.” The Prophet asked the Hadrami if he had any proof, but he replied that he had none, so he told him that he could have the other swear an oath. He replied, “Messenger of God, the man is a reprobate who would swear to anything and stick at nothing,” but he told him that that was his only recourse. The man went off to take an oath, and when he turned his back God’s Messenger said, “If he swears about his property to take it unjustly he will certainly find God turning away from him when he meets Him.” Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Dharr told that he heard God’s Messenger say, “If anyone claims what is not his he does not belong to us, and let him come to his seat in hell.” Muslim transmitted it.

Zaid b. Khalid reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Shall I not tell you of the best witness? He is the one who produces his deposition before he is asked for it.” Muslim transmitted it.

Ibn Mas'ud reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The best of men are my generation, then those who come next to them, then those who come next to them. Afterwards people will come who will give testimony before swearing an oath and swear an oath before giving testimony.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Huraira told that the Prophet suggested to some people that they should swear an oath and when they hastened to do so he ordered that lots should be cast among them concerning the oath as to who should swear it. Bukhari transmitted it.

‘Amr b. Shu'aib, on his father’s authority, told that his grandfather reported the Prophet as saying, “Proof lies on the plaintiff and the oath is to be sworn by the defendant.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Umm Salama told on the Prophet’s authority about two men, who brought a dispute before him about inheritances, but had no proof beyond their claim. He said, “If I give a decision in favour of one respecting what is rightly his brother’s I am allotting him only a portion of hell.” Thereupon both the men said, “Messenger of God, this right of mine may go to my brother,” but he replied, "No; rather go and divide it up, aiming at what is right, then draw lots, and let each of you consider the other to have what is legitimately his.” In a version he said, “I judge between you only by my opinion regarding matters about which no revelation has been sent down to me.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Jabir b. ‘Abdallah told that two men claimed an animal and both of them brought proof that it was his animal, the offspring of one of his beasts. God’s Messenger then gave his decision that it should go to the one who had it in his possession. It is transmitted in Sharh as-sunna.