Hadith on Leadership & Responsibility

📖Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 7150, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 142
Ma’qil ibn Yasar reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “No servant is given authority by Allah, but he does not fulfill its duties sincerely, except that he will never smell the fragrance of Paradise.”

This hadith emphasizes the serious responsibility that comes with authority in Islam. Authority, whether in governance, judgment, or any leadership position, is a trust (amanah) from Allah. Misuse or negligence in fulfilling duties sincerely is a grave sin and can lead to spiritual consequences, including being deprived of Paradise.

Who it Applies To:

• All servants of Allah: Everyone who has responsibilities or abilities given by Allah.
• People in positions of leadership: Judges, rulers, managers, or anyone with authority over others.

Examples of Negligence or Wrongdoing:

1. General sins of a servant:

   • Neglecting prayers

   • Committing adultery or other immoral acts

   • Engaging in lying, cheating, or harming others

2. Specific to leaders/judges:

   • Giving unjust rulings or lying in judgment

   • Oppressing others or favoring some unfairly

   • Using authority for personal gain rather than justice

Practical Lessons:

• Authority is a test, not a privilege; it must be exercised with sincerity and fairness.
• Every person is accountable for how they use the abilities and responsibilities given by Allah.
• Misuse of power can lead to severe spiritual consequences.
• Even small acts of injustice or negligence can distance a person from Paradise.

Quranic Context:

📖Quran 4:58
Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge between people to judge with justice. Excellent is that which Allah instructs you. Indeed, Allah is ever Hearing and Seeing.

📖Quran 2:279
And if you do not, then be informed of a war [against you] from Allah and His Messenger. But if you repent, you may have your principal – [thus] you do no wrong, nor are you wronged.

📖Surah Al-An’am 6:39
“But those who deny Our verses are deaf and dumb within darknesses. Whom Allah wills, He leaves astray; and whom He wills, He places on a straight path.”

Explanation:

• Repeated wrongdoing, like abusing authority, neglecting prayer, or committing immoral acts, counts as denying Allah’s signs.
• Judges or leaders who act unjustly knowingly are included; their actions reflect willful denial of divine commands.
• Mistakes done unknowingly are excused if sincere repentance follows. Allah’s mercy allows correction and forgiveness.

Mistakes vs. Willful Denial of Allah’s Commands

• Miskate (mistakes) occur when a person commits a sin or neglects a duty without full knowledge, intention, or understanding that it is wrong.
• These actions do not count as deliberate rejection of Allah’s signs, because the heart did not intend to oppose Him.

Example:

• Someone skips a prayer because they misunderstood the time.
• Someone commits a minor mistake or says something wrong, thinking it is permissible.
• A judge unintentionally makes a wrong ruling due to lack of knowledge, not deliberate injustice.

Principle:

• Mistakes are forgivable if the person sincerely intends to correct them.
• The Prophet ﷺ emphasized that Allah is Most Merciful and forgives those who repent or realize their errors:

📖Quran 4:17
Allah only accepts the repentance of those who do evil ignorantly or carelessly and then repent soon after. It is they to whom Allah will turn in forgiveness. And Allah is ever Knowing and Wise.