Ahadith on Importance of Khilafah and its obedience

Ammar bin Yasir (R.A) obeyed

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ الأَنْبَارِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ الضَّرِيرُ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ شَقِيقٍ، قَالَ كُنْتُ جَالِسًا بَيْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ وَأَبِي مُوسَى فَقَالَ أَبُو مُوسَى يَا أَبَا عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ أَرَأَيْتَ لَوْ أَنَّ رَجُلاً أَجْنَبَ فَلَمْ يَجِدِ الْمَاءَ شَهْرًا ‏.‏ أَمَا كَانَ يَتَيَمَّمُ فَقَالَ لاَ وَإِنْ لَمْ يَجِدِ الْمَاءَ شَهْرًا فَقَالَ أَبُو مُوسَى فَكَيْفَ تَصْنَعُونَ بِهَذِهِ الآيَةِ الَّتِي فِي سُورَةِ الْمَائِدَةِ ‏{‏ فَلَمْ تَجِدُوا مَاءً فَتَيَمَّمُوا صَعِيدًا طَيِّبًا ‏}‏ فَقَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ لَوْ رُخِّصَ لَهُمْ فِي هَذَا لأَوْشَكُوا إِذَا بَرَدَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَاءُ أَنْ يَتَيَمَّمُوا بِالصَّعِيدِ ‏.‏ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو مُوسَى وَإِنَّمَا كَرِهْتُمْ هَذَا لِهَذَا قَالَ نَعَمْ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو مُوسَى أَلَمْ تَسْمَعْ قَوْلَ عَمَّارٍ لِعُمَرَ بَعَثَنِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي حَاجَةٍ فَأَجْنَبْتُ فَلَمْ أَجِدِ الْمَاءَ فَتَمَرَّغْتُ فِي الصَّعِيدِ كَمَا تَتَمَرَّغُ الدَّابَّةُ ثُمَّ أَتَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَذَكَرْتُ ذَلِكَ لَهُ فَقَالَ ‏”‏ إِنَّمَا كَانَ يَكْفِيكَ أَنْ تَصْنَعَ هَكَذَا ‏”‏ ‏.‏ فَضَرَبَ بِيَدِهِ عَلَى الأَرْضِ فَنَفَضَهَا ثُمَّ ضَرَبَ بِشِمَالِهِ عَلَى يَمِينِهِ وَبِيَمِينِهِ عَلَى شِمَالِهِ عَلَى الْكَفَّيْنِ ثُمَّ مَسَحَ وَجْهَهُ ‏.‏ فَقَالَ لَهُ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ أَفَلَمْ تَرَ عُمَرَ لَمْ يَقْنَعْ بِقَوْلِ عَمَّارٍ

While I was sitting between ‘Abd Allah and Abu Musa, the latter said: Abu ‘Abd al-Rahman, what do you think if a man becomes defiled (because of seminal omission) and does not find water for a month; should he not perform tayammum ? He replied: No, even if he does not find water for a month. Abu Musa then said: How will you do with the Qur’anic version (about tayammum) in the chapter al-Ma’idah which says: “… and you find no water, then go to clean, high ground” (5:6)? ‘Abd Allah (b. Mas’ud) then said: If they (the people) are granted concession in this respect, they might perform tayammum with pure earth when water is cold. Abu Musa said: For this (reason) you forbade it ? He said: Yes. Abu Musa then said: Did you not hear what ‘Ammar said to ‘Umar ? (He said): The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) sent me on some errand. I had seminal emission and I did not find water. Therefore, I rolled on the ground just as an animal rolls down. I then came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and made a mention of that to him. He said: It would have been enough for you to do thus. Then he struck the ground with his hands and shook them off and then stuck the right hand with his left hand and his left hand with his right hand (and wiped) over his hands (up to the wrist) and wiped his face. ‘Abd Allah then said to him: Did you not see that ‘Umar was not satisfied with the statement of ‘Ammar ?

[Sunan Abi Dawud 321]

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ كَثِيرٍ الْعَبْدِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ سَلَمَةَ بْنِ كُهَيْلٍ، عَنْ أَبِي مَالِكٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ أَبْزَى، قَالَ كُنْتُ عِنْدَ عُمَرَ فَجَاءَهُ رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ إِنَّا نَكُونُ بِالْمَكَانِ الشَّهْرَ وَالشَّهْرَيْنِ ‏.‏ فَقَالَ عُمَرُ أَمَّا أَنَا فَلَمْ أَكُنْ أُصَلِّي حَتَّى أَجِدَ الْمَاءَ ‏.‏ قَالَ فَقَالَ عَمَّارٌ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَمَا تَذْكُرُ إِذْ كُنْتُ أَنَا وَأَنْتَ فِي الإِبِلِ فَأَصَابَتْنَا جَنَابَةٌ فَأَمَّا أَنَا فَتَمَعَّكْتُ فَأَتَيْنَا النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَذَكَرْتُ ذَلِكَ لَهُ فَقَالَ ‏ “‏ إِنَّمَا كَانَ يَكْفِيكَ أَنْ تَقُولَ هَكَذَا ‏”‏ ‏.‏ وَضَرَبَ بِيَدَيْهِ إِلَى الأَرْضِ ثُمَّ نَفَخَهُمَا ثُمَّ مَسَحَ بِهِمَا وَجْهَهُ وَيَدَيْهِ إِلَى نِصْفِ الذِّرَاعِ ‏.‏ فَقَالَ عُمَرُ يَا عَمَّارُ اتَّقِ اللَّهَ ‏.‏ فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِنْ شِئْتَ وَاللَّهِ لَمْ أَذْكُرْهُ أَبَدًا ‏.‏ فَقَالَ عُمَرُ كَلاَّ وَاللَّهِ لَنُوَلِّيَنَّكَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ مَا تَوَلَّيْتَ ‏.

‘Abd al-Rahman b. Abza said:

While I was with ‘Umar, a man came to him and said: We live at a place (where water is not found) for a month or two (what should we do, if we are sexually defiled). ‘Umar said: So far as I am concerned, I do not pray until I find water. ‘Ammar said: Commanded of the faithful, do you not remember when I and you were among the camels (For tending them)? There we became sexually defiled. I rolled down on the ground. We then came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and I mentioned that to him. He said: It was enough for you to do so. Then he struck the ground with both his hands. He then blew over them and wiped his face and both hands by means of them up to half the arms. ‘Umar said: ‘Ammar, fear Allah. He said: Commander of the faithful, if you want, I will never narrate it. ‘Umar said: Nay, by Allah, we shall turn you from that towards which you turned (i.e. you have your choice).

[Sunan abi dawud 322]

Sahaba disagreed but still obeyed

حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، أَنَّ أَبَا مُعَاوِيَةَ، وَحَفْصَ بْنَ غِيَاثٍ، حَدَّثَاهُ – وَحَدِيثُ أَبِي مُعَاوِيَةَ، أَتَمُّ – عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ، قَالَ صَلَّى عُثْمَانُ بِمِنًى أَرْبَعًا فَقَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ صَلَّيْتُ مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَمَعَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَمَعَ عُمَرَ رَكْعَتَيْنِ زَادَ عَنْ حَفْصٍ وَمَعَ عُثْمَانَ صَدْرًا مِنْ إِمَارَتِهِ ثُمَّ أَتَمَّهَا ‏.‏ زَادَ مِنْ هَا هُنَا عَنْ أَبِي مُعَاوِيَةَ ثُمَّ تَفَرَّقَتْ بِكُمُ الطُّرُقُ فَلَوَدِدْتُ أَنَّ لِي مِنْ أَرْبَعِ رَكَعَاتٍ رَكْعَتَيْنِ مُتَقَبَّلَتَيْنِ ‏.‏ قَالَ الأَعْمَشُ فَحَدَّثَنِي مُعَاوِيَةُ بْنُ قُرَّةَ عَنْ أَشْيَاخِهِ أَنَّ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى أَرْبَعًا قَالَ فَقِيلَ لَهُ عِبْتَ عَلَى عُثْمَانَ ثُمَّ صَلَّيْتَ أَرْبَعًا قَالَ الْخِلاَفُ شَرٌّ ‏.‏

Narrated ‘Abd al-Rahman b. Zaid:

‘Uthman prayed four rak’ahs at Mina. ‘Abd Allah (b. Mas’ud) said: I prayed two rak’ahs along with the Prophet (ﷺ) and two rak’ahs along with ‘Umar. The version of Hafs added: And along with ‘Uthman during the early period of his caliphate. He (‘Uthman) began to offer complete prayer (i.e. four rak’ahs) later on. The version of Abu Mu’awiyah added: Then your modes of action varied. I would like to pray two rak’ahs acceptable to Allah instead of four rak’ahs.

Al-A’mash said: Mu’awiyah b. Qurrah reported to me from his teachers: ‘Abd Allah (b. Mas’ud) once prayed four rak’ahs. He was told: You criticized ‘Uthman but you yourself prayed four ? He replied: Dissension is evil.

[Sunan abi dawud 1960]

Importance of Khalifa

وَحَدَّثَنِي سَلَمَةُ بْنُ شَبِيبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا الْحَسَنُ بْنُ أَعْيَنَ، حَدَّثَنَا مَعْقِلٌ، عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ أَبِي، أُنَيْسَةَ عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ حُصَيْنٍ، عَنْ جَدَّتِهِ أُمِّ الْحُصَيْنِ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُهَا تَقُولُ، حَجَجْتُ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم حَجَّةَ الْوَدَاعِ فَرَأَيْتُهُ حِينَ رَمَى جَمْرَةَ الْعَقَبَةِ وَانْصَرَفَ وَهُوَ عَلَى رَاحِلَتِهِ وَمَعَهُ بِلاَلٌ وَأُسَامَةُ أَحَدُهُمَا يَقُودُ بِهِ رَاحِلَتَهُ وَالآخَرُ رَافِعٌ ثَوْبَهُ عَلَى رَأْسِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مِنَ الشَّمْسِ – قَالَتْ – فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَوْلاً كَثِيرًا ثُمَّ سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ ‏ “‏ إِنْ أُمِّرَ عَلَيْكُمْ عَبْدٌ مُجَدَّعٌ – حَسِبْتُهَا قَالَتْ – أَسْوَدُ يَقُودُكُمْ بِكِتَابِ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى فَاسْمَعُوا لَهُ وَأَطِيعُوا ‏”‏ ‏.‏

Umm al-Husain (Allah be pleased with her) reported:

I performed Hajj along with Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) on the occasion of the Farewell Pilgrimage and saw him when he flung pebbles at Jamrat al-‘Aqaba and returned while he was riding the camel, and Bilal and Usama were with him. One of them was leading his camel, while the other was raising his cloth over the head of Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) to protect him from the sun. She (further) said: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said so many things, and I heard him saying: If a slave having some limb of his missing and having dark complexion is appointed to govern you according to the Book of Allah the Exalted. listen to him and obey him.

[Sahih Muslim 1298a]
[Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2676]
[Sunan Ibn Majah 42]
[Sunan Abi Dawud 4607]
[Hadith 28, 40 Hadith an-Nawawi]
[Riyad as-Salihin 701]
[Riyad as-Salihin 157]

Obey Khalifa over Ummul momineen

حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ آدَمَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ عَيَّاشٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو حَصِينٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مَرْيَمَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ زِيَادٍ الأَسَدِيُّ، قَالَ لَمَّا سَارَ طَلْحَةُ وَالزُّبَيْرُ وَعَائِشَةُ إِلَى الْبَصْرَةِ بَعَثَ عَلِيٌّ عَمَّارَ بْنَ يَاسِرٍ وَحَسَنَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ، فَقَدِمَا عَلَيْنَا الْكُوفَةَ فَصَعِدَا الْمِنْبَرَ، فَكَانَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ فَوْقَ الْمِنْبَرِ فِي أَعْلاَهُ، وَقَامَ عَمَّارٌ أَسْفَلَ مِنَ الْحَسَنِ، فَاجْتَمَعْنَا إِلَيْهِ فَسَمِعْتُ عَمَّارًا يَقُولُ إِنَّ عَائِشَةَ قَدْ سَارَتْ إِلَى الْبَصْرَةِ، وَوَاللَّهِ إِنَّهَا لَزَوْجَةُ نَبِيِّكُمْ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ، وَلَكِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى ابْتَلاَكُمْ، لِيَعْلَمَ إِيَّاهُ تُطِيعُونَ أَمْ هِيَ‏.‏

Narrated Abu Maryam `Abdullah bin Ziyad Al-Aasadi: When Talha, Zubair and `Aisha moved to Basra, `Ali sent `Ammar bin Yasir and Hasan bin `Ali who came to us at Kufa and ascended the pulpit. Al-Hasan bin `Ali was at the top of the pulpit and `Ammar was below Al-Hasan. We all gathered before him. I heard `Ammar saying, “`Aisha has moved to Al-Busra. By Allah! She is the wife of your Prophet in this world and in the Hereafter. But Allah has put you to test whether you obey Him (Allah) or her (`Aisha).

[Sahih al-Bukhari 7100]

Obeying Khalifa = Obeying Prophet (SAW)

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْيَمَانِ، أَخْبَرَنَا شُعَيْبٌ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الزِّنَادِ، أَنَّ الأَعْرَجَ، حَدَّثَهُ أَنَّهُ، سَمِعَ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏”‏ نَحْنُ الآخِرُونَ السَّابِقُونَ ‏”‏‏.‏ وَبِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ ‏”‏ مَنْ أَطَاعَنِي فَقَدْ أَطَاعَ اللَّهَ، وَمَنْ عَصَانِي فَقَدْ عَصَى اللَّهَ، وَمَنْ يُطِعِ الأَمِيرَ فَقَدْ أَطَاعَنِي، وَمَنْ يَعْصِ الأَمِيرَ فَقَدْ عَصَانِي، وَإِنَّمَا الإِمَامُ جُنَّةٌ يُقَاتَلُ مِنْ وَرَائِهِ وَيُتَّقَى بِهِ، فَإِنْ أَمَرَ بِتَقْوَى اللَّهِ وَعَدَلَ، فَإِنَّ لَهُ بِذَلِكَ أَجْرًا، وَإِنْ قَالَ بِغَيْرِهِ، فَإِنَّ عَلَيْهِ مِنْهُ ‏”‏‏.‏

Narrated Abu Huraira: That heard Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) saying, “We are the last but will be the foremost to enter Paradise).” The Prophet added, “He who obeys me, obeys Allah, and he who disobeys me, disobeys Allah. He who obeys the chief, obeys me, and he who disobeys the chief, disobeys me. The Imam is like a shelter for whose safety the Muslims should fight and where they should seek protection. If the Imam orders people with righteousness and rules justly, then he will be rewarded for that, and if he does the opposite, he will be responsible for that.

[Sahih al-Bukhari 2956, 2957]

وَحَدَّثَنِي حَرْمَلَةُ بْنُ يَحْيَى، أَخْبَرَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي يُونُسُ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، أَخْبَرَهُ قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو سَلَمَةَ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَّهُ قَالَ ‏ “‏ مَنْ أَطَاعَنِي فَقَدْ أَطَاعَ اللَّهَ وَمَنْ عَصَانِي فَقَدْ عَصَى اللَّهَ وَمَنْ أَطَاعَ أَمِيرِي فَقَدْ أَطَاعَنِي وَمَنْ عَصَى أَمِيرِي فَقَدْ عَصَانِي ‏”‏ ‏.‏

It has been narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

Whoso obeys me obeys God; and whose disobeys me disobeys God. Whoso obeys my commander obeys me, and whoso disobeys my commander disobeys me.

[Sahih al-Bukhari 2956, 2957]
[Sahih Muslim 1835c]
[Sahih al-Bukhari 7137]
[Sahih Muslim 1835a, b]
[Sunan an-Nasa’i 4193]
[Riyad as-Salihin 670]
[Sunan Ibn Majah 2859]

Obey Khalifa to the best of your capacity

حَدَّثَنَا زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، وَإِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، قَالَ إِسْحَاقُ أَخْبَرَنَا وَقَالَ، زُهَيْرٌ حَدَّثَنَا جَرِيرٌ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ وَهْبٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ عَبْدِ رَبِّ الْكَعْبَةِ، قَالَ دَخَلْتُ الْمَسْجِدَ فَإِذَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عَمْرِو بْنِ الْعَاصِ جَالِسٌ فِي ظِلِّ الْكَعْبَةِ وَالنَّاسُ مُجْتَمِعُونَ عَلَيْهِ فَأَتَيْتُهُمْ فَجَلَسْتُ إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ كُنَّا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي سَفَرٍ فَنَزَلْنَا مَنْزِلاً فَمِنَّا مَنْ يُصْلِحُ خِبَاءَهُ وَمِنَّا مَنْ يَنْتَضِلُ وَمِنَّا مَنْ هُوَ فِي جَشَرِهِ إِذْ نَادَى مُنَادِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم الصَّلاَةَ جَامِعَةً ‏.‏ فَاجْتَمَعْنَا إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ ‏”‏ إِنَّهُ لَمْ يَكُنْ نَبِيٌّ قَبْلِي إِلاَّ كَانَ حَقًّا عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَدُلَّ أُمَّتَهُ عَلَى خَيْرِ مَا يَعْلَمُهُ لَهُمْ وَيُنْذِرَهُمْ شَرَّ مَا يَعْلَمُهُ لَهُمْ وَإِنَّ أُمَّتَكُمْ هَذِهِ جُعِلَ عَافِيَتُهَا فِي أَوَّلِهَا وَسَيُصِيبُ آخِرَهَا بَلاَءٌ وَأُمُورٌ تُنْكِرُونَهَا وَتَجِيءُ فِتْنَةٌ فَيُرَقِّقُ بَعْضُهَا بَعْضًا وَتَجِيءُ الْفِتْنَةُ فَيَقُولُ الْمُؤْمِنُ هَذِهِ مُهْلِكَتِي ‏.‏ ثُمَّ تَنْكَشِفُ وَتَجِيءُ الْفِتْنَةُ فَيَقُولُ الْمُؤْمِنُ هَذِهِ هَذِهِ ‏.‏ فَمَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يُزَحْزَحَ عَنِ النَّارِ وَيَدْخُلَ الْجَنَّةَ فَلْتَأْتِهِ مَنِيَّتُهُ وَهُوَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ وَلْيَأْتِ إِلَى النَّاسِ الَّذِي يُحِبُّ أَنْ يُؤْتَى إِلَيْهِ وَمَنْ بَايَعَ إِمَامًا فَأَعْطَاهُ صَفْقَةَ يَدِهِ وَثَمَرَةَ قَلْبِهِ فَلْيُطِعْهُ إِنِ اسْتَطَاعَ فَإِنْ جَاءَ آخَرُ يُنَازِعُهُ فَاضْرِبُوا عُنُقَ الآخَرِ ‏”‏ ‏.‏ فَدَنَوْتُ مِنْهُ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ أَنْشُدُكَ اللَّهَ آنْتَ سَمِعْتَ هَذَا مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَأَهْوَى إِلَى أُذُنَيْهِ وَقَلْبِهِ بِيَدَيْهِ وَقَالَ سَمِعَتْهُ أُذُنَاىَ وَوَعَاهُ قَلْبِي ‏.‏ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ هَذَا ابْنُ عَمِّكَ مُعَاوِيَةُ يَأْمُرُنَا أَنْ نَأْكُلَ أَمْوَالَنَا بَيْنَنَا بِالْبَاطِلِ وَنَقْتُلَ أَنْفُسَنَا وَاللَّهُ يَقُولُ ‏{‏ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لاَ تَأْكُلُوا أَمْوَالَكُمْ بَيْنَكُمْ بِالْبَاطِلِ إِلاَّ أَنْ تَكُونَ تِجَارَةً عَنْ تَرَاضٍ مِنْكُمْ وَلاَ تَقْتُلُوا أَنْفُسَكُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ بِكُمْ رَحِيمًا‏}‏ قَالَ فَسَكَتَ سَاعَةً ثُمَّ قَالَ أَطِعْهُ فِي طَاعَةِ اللَّهِ وَاعْصِهِ فِي مَعْصِيَةِ اللَّهِ ‏.‏

He who swears allegiance to a Caliph should give him the piedge of his hand and the sincerity of his heart (i. e. submit to him both outwardly as well as inwardly). He should obey him to the best of his capacity.

[Sahih Muslim 1844a]
[Mishkat al-Masabih 3679]
[Riyad as-Salihin 667]

Obey Khalifa no matter what!

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، حَدَّثَنَا الْوَلِيدُ بْنُ مُسْلِمٍ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ جَابِرٍ، حَدَّثَنِي بُسْرُ بْنُ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ الْحَضْرَمِيُّ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أَبَا إِدْرِيسَ الْخَوْلاَنِيَّ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ حُذَيْفَةَ بْنَ الْيَمَانِ، يَقُولُ كَانَ النَّاسُ يَسْأَلُونَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنِ الْخَيْرِ، وَكُنْتُ أَسْأَلُهُ عَنِ الشَّرِّ، مَخَافَةَ أَنْ يُدْرِكَنِي فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّا كُنَّا فِي جَاهِلِيَّةٍ وَشَرٍّ فَجَاءَنَا اللَّهُ بِهَذَا الْخَيْرِ، فَهَلْ بَعْدَ هَذَا الْخَيْرِ مِنْ شَرٍّ قَالَ ‏”‏ نَعَمْ ‏”‏‏.‏ قُلْتُ وَهَلْ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ الشَّرِّ مِنْ خَيْرٍ قَالَ ‏”‏ نَعَمْ، وَفِيهِ دَخَنٌ ‏”‏‏.‏ قُلْتُ وَمَا دَخَنُهُ قَالَ ‏”‏ قَوْمٌ يَهْدُونَ بِغَيْرِ هَدْىٍ، تَعْرِفُ مِنْهُمْ وَتُنْكِرُ ‏”‏‏.‏ قُلْتُ فَهَلْ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ الْخَيْرِ مِنْ شَرٍّ قَالَ ‏”‏ نَعَمْ، دُعَاةٌ عَلَى أَبْوَابِ جَهَنَّمَ، مَنْ أَجَابَهُمْ إِلَيْهَا قَذَفُوهُ فِيهَا ‏”‏‏.‏ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صِفْهُمْ لَنَا‏.‏ قَالَ ‏”‏ هُمْ مِنْ جِلْدَتِنَا، وَيَتَكَلَّمُونَ بِأَلْسِنَتِنَا ‏”‏‏.‏ قُلْتُ فَمَا تَأْمُرُنِي إِنْ أَدْرَكَنِي ذَلِكَ قَالَ ‏”‏ تَلْزَمُ جَمَاعَةَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَإِمَامَهُمْ ‏”‏‏.‏ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُمْ جَمَاعَةٌ وَلاَ إِمَامٌ قَالَ ‏”‏ فَاعْتَزِلْ تِلْكَ الْفِرَقَ كُلَّهَا، وَلَوْ أَنْ تَعَضَّ بِأَصْلِ شَجَرَةٍ، حَتَّى يُدْرِكَكَ الْمَوْتُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَى ذَلِكَ ‏”‏‏.‏

Narrated Hudhaifa bin Al-Yaman: The people used to ask Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) about the good but I used to ask him about the evil lest I should be overtaken by them. So I said, “O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! We were living in ignorance and in an (extremely) worst atmosphere, then Allah brought to us this good (i.e., Islam); will there be any evil after this good?” He said, “Yes.” I said, ‘Will there be any good after that evil?” He replied, “Yes, but it will be tainted (not pure.)” I asked, “What will be its taint?” He replied, “(There will be) some people who will guide others not according to my tradition? You will approve of some of their deeds and disapprove of some others.” I asked, “Will there be any evil after that good?” He replied, “Yes, (there will be) some people calling at the gates of the (Hell) Fire, and whoever will respond to their call, will be thrown by them into the (Hell) Fire.” I said, “O Allah s Apostle! Will you describe them to us?” He said, “They will be from our own people and will speak our language.” I said, “What do you order me to do if such a state should take place in my life?” He said, “Stick to the group of Muslims and their Imam.” I said, “If there is neither a group of Muslims nor an Imam?” He said, “Then turn away from all those sects even if you were to bite (eat) the roots of a tree till death overtakes you while you are in that state.”

[Sahih al-Bukhari 7084]

Hadrat Hudaifa relates that, people would question the Holy Prophet about the future prosperity of Islam whereas I would always inquire about any future unrest”. He goes onto say that. “on one occasion I asked ‘Messenger of Allah! Allah has blessed us with tremendous success.

However, will this success ever be proceeded by a state of turmoil and unrest as existed before (the advent of Islam)’. He replied, ‘yes’.

I then asked, ‘what will happen then’.

He answered, …schisms will be created within the Muslim community. If in these times any Caliph of Allah is to be found on the face of the Earth then you should obey him even if he were to cause you injury or appropriate your wealth. But if there should be no such Caliph then withdraw from society and die clinging to the trunk of a tree, i.e. keep away from the people.“

[Mustadrak al-Hakim, Kitabul-Fitan, Hadith No. 8552]

Death without Imam = Death of Jahiliyyah

عن معاوية، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: ” من مات بغير إمام مات ميتة جاهلية ” .

The Messenger (saw) said: Whoever died without an Imam he dies a death of jahiliyyah

[Musnad Imam Ahmad (rh) 16434 7275 – (16876) – (4\96)]

” مَنْ نَزَعَ يَدًا مِنْ طَاعَةٍ ، أَوْ فَارَقَ الْجَمَاعَةَ ، مَاتَ مِيتَةَ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ ” .

The Messenger of Allah (saw) said, “Whoever removes his hands from the obedience or creates differences in the jama’ah dies the death of the jahiliyyah.”

[Musnad Imam Ahmed 5997]

حَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُعَاذٍ الْعَنْبَرِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، حَدَّثَنَا عَاصِمٌ، – وَهُوَ ابْنُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ زَيْدٍ – عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، قَالَ جَاءَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عُمَرَ إِلَى عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مُطِيعٍ حِينَ كَانَ مِنْ أَمْرِ الْحَرَّةِ مَا كَانَ زَمَنَ يَزِيدَ بْنِ مُعَاوِيَةَ فَقَالَ اطْرَحُوا لأَبِي عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ وِسَادَةً فَقَالَ إِنِّي لَمْ آتِكَ لأَجْلِسَ أَتَيْتُكَ لأُحَدِّثَكَ حَدِيثًا سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُهُ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏ “‏ مَنْ خَلَعَ يَدًا مِنْ طَاعَةٍ لَقِيَ اللَّهَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ لاَ حُجَّةَ لَهُ وَمَنْ مَاتَ وَلَيْسَ فِي عُنُقِهِ بَيْعَةٌ مَاتَ مِيتَةً جَاهِلِيَّةً ‏”‏ ‏.‏

It has been reported on the authority of Nafi, that ‘Abdullah b. Umar paid a visit to Abdullah b. Muti’ in the days (when atrocities were perpetrated on the People Of Medina) at Harra in the time of Yazid b. Mu’awiya. Ibn Muti’ said: Place a pillow for Abu ‘Abd al-Rahman (family name of ‘Abdullah b. ‘Umar). But the latter said: I have not come to sit with you. I have come to you to tell you a tradition I heard from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). I heard him say:

One who withdraws his band from obedience (to the Amir) will find no argument (in his defence) when he stands before Allah on the Day of Judgment, and one who dies without having bound himself by an oath of allegiance (to an Amir) will die the death of one belonging to the days of Jahillyya.

[Sahih Muslim 1851a]
[Sahih Muslim 1849a]

أَخْبَرَنَا بِشْرُ بْنُ هِلاَلٍ الصَّوَّافُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَارِثِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَيُّوبُ، عَنْ غَيْلاَنَ بْنِ جَرِيرٍ، عَنْ زِيَادِ بْنِ رَبَاحٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ “‏ مَنْ خَرَجَ مِنَ الطَّاعَةِ وَفَارَقَ الْجَمَاعَةَ فَمَاتَ مَاتَ مِيتَةً جَاهِلِيَّةً وَمَنْ خَرَجَ عَلَى أُمَّتِي يَضْرِبُ بَرَّهَا وَفَاجِرَهَا لاَ يَتَحَاشَى مِنْ مُؤْمِنِهَا وَلاَ يَفِي لِذِي عَهْدِهَا فَلَيْسَ مِنِّي وَمَنْ قَاتَلَ تَحْتَ رَايَةٍ عُمِّيَّةٍ يَدْعُو إِلَى عَصَبِيَّةٍ أَوْ يَغْضَبُ لِعَصَبِيَّةٍ فَقُتِلَ فَقِتْلَةٌ جَاهِلِيَّةٌ ‏”‏ ‏.‏

It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said: “The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: ‘

Whoever parts from obedience, and splits away from the Jama’ah and dies, then he has died a death of Jahiliyyah. Whoever rebels against my Ummah, killing good and evil people alike, and does not try to avoid killing the believers, and does not pay attention to those who are under a covenant, then he is not of me. Whoever fights for a cause that is not clear, advocating tribalism, getting angry for the sake of tribalism, and he is killed, then he has died a death of Jahiliyyah.'”

[Sunan an-Nasa’i 4114]