Ahadith

Ugbah ibn Amr relates that a man came to the Holy Prophet and said: I am delayed by the morning Prayer service because of So and So who leads it and prolongs it. I have never seen the Holy Prophet so provoked into admonition as he was then. He said: Some of you make people dislike the faith. Whoever leads the Prayer should keep it brief for among the congregation are all types, old, young and those who have to attend to affairs (Bokhari and Muslim). (An-Nahl 92, Al-Hujurat 11)

Ayesha relates that the Holy Prophet on returning from a journey. saw a light curtain which I had slung along a platform before my chamber and which bore some pictures. His face changed colour and he wiped out the pictures and said: Ayesha, on the Day of Judgment those who make likenesses of Allah's creatures will be subject to the severest torment (Bokhari and Muslim). (An-Nahl 92, Al-Hujurat 11)

Ayesha relates that the Quraish were worried about the case of a Makhzumi woman who had committed theft and wondered who should intercede on her behalf with the Holy Prophet. Some said: Who can venture to do so except Usamah ibn Zaid who is much loved by the Holy Prophet? So Usamah spoke to him and the Holy Prophet said to him: Do you seek to intercede in the matter of the limits prescribed by Allah? Then he stood up and made an address in which he said: Those who were before you were ruined because they would let off a high-placed one if he committed theft and would exact the prescribed penalty from a poor one who stole. I call Allah to witness that were Fatimah, daughter of Muhammed, to steal, I would cut off her hand (Bokhari and Muslim). (An-Nisa' 7)

Anas relates that the Holy Prophet noticed spittal in the mosque in the direction of the gibla. He changed colour, stood up and scraped it away with his own hand, and said: When you stand in Prayer you are in communion with your Lord, and He is between you and the qibla. Let no one, therefore, cast out his spittal in that direction, but only to his left or under his foot. Then he took up a corner of his cloak, spat into it and folded it up and said: Or, he should do like this (Bokhari and Muslim). (An-Nisa' 7)

This Aadith is the same as No. 285. (An-Nisa' 7)

Ma‘qil ibn Yasam relates that he heard the Holy Prophet ‘say: Allah will forbid Paradise to one whom He appoints in authority over people and who plays them false, die when he might (Bokhari and Muslim). Another version is: Even the fragrance of Paradise will not reach him, if he does not look after them with goodwill and sincerity. Muslim’s version is: If a person is in charge of the affairs of the Muslims and does not strive diligently to promote their welfare, he will not enter Paradise with them. (An-Nisa' 7)

Ayesha relates that she heard the Holy Prophet say in her house: Allah, when one who is placed in authority over my people is hard on them, be Thou hard on him also, and when such a one is gentle with them be Thou gentle with him also (Muslim). (An-Nisa' 7)

Abu Hurairah relates that the Holy Prophet said: Authority among the Bani Israel was exercised by Prophets, when a Prophet died he was succeeded by a Prophet. I will not be succeeded by a Prophet, but there will be successors after me, a large number of them. He was asked: Messenger of Allah, then what do you command us? He said: Fulfil the covenant of allegiance with them one after the other, and render to them that which is due to them: and ask Allah for that which is due to you. Allah will call them to account in respect of that which is committed to them (Bokhari and Muslim). (An-Nisa' 7)

This hadith is part of No. 194. (An-Nisa' 7)

Abu Maryam Azdi relates that he said to Mu‘awiah: I heard the Holy Prophet say: If Allah places someone in authority over the Muslims and he puts up a barrier between himself and their needs and objects and poverty, Allah will put up a barrier between Himself and his needs and objects and poverty on the Day of Judgment. So Mu‘awiah appointed a man to keep a check on the needs of people (Abu Daud and Tirmidhi). (An-Nisa' 7)