Question

Please provide the reference for this Hadith:

Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

“As you are (as far as your actions are), so will be the rulers that will soon be set over you.”

 

Answer

This Hadith has been recorded through two chains. One chain consists of an extremely weak narrator, accused of fabricating Hadiths and the second chain consists of several unknown narrators.

(Shu’abul Iman of Imam Bayhaqi, Hadith: 7006. Refer: Lisanul Mizan, vol. 8, pg. 480/481 and Musnadush Shihab, Hadith: 372. Refer: Al Kafish Shafi, pg. 25

After citing these chains and the verdict on them, ‘Allamah Sakhawi (rahimahullah) cites a third chain for this narration without commenting on the authenticity.

However, rulers being dependent on one’s actions can be understood from the following Masnun du’a:

Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would say, “O Allah! Due to our sins, do not put those in power who will not have mercy on us.”

(Refer: Al Maqasidul Hasanah, Hadith: 835 and Adabul Hasan Al-Basri, pg. 116)

Some Quran commentators have also deduced this meaning from the verse:

وَكَذَلِكَ نُوَلِّي بَعْضَ الظَّالِمِينَ بَعْضًا بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ

(Ad Durrul Manthur and Tafsir Ruhul Ma’ani, Surah Al An’am, Verse: 129)

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar