From Abu Hurairah – Radi Allaahu anhu – who said: the Messenger of Allaah -sallAllaahu alayhi wa Salam- said:
عَلَيْكَ السَّمْعَ والطّاعَةَ في عُسْرِكَ ويُسْرِكَ، ومَنْشَطِكَ ومَكْرَهِكَ، وأَثَرَةٍ عَلَيْكَ
‘It is obligatory upon you to hear and obey the ruler at times of hardship and ease, whether you like it or dislike it and if they monopolize[1] over you in matters of the Dunya.’[2]
[Collected by Muslim in the book of rulership, Chapter: The obligation of obedience to the rulers other than in disobedience to Allaah, no. 1836]
[1] Regarding: ‘Having (Monopoly/control) over you in matters of the Dunya.’
Nawawi (d.676 AH) -Rahimahullaah- said:
‘Monopolizing and jurisdiction over you in matters of the Dunya.’ Which means: you must listen and obey even if the rulers claim your possessions of the Dunya, and they do not give you your rights which they have with them.
These Ahadeeth encourage hearing and obeying in all circumstances, and the reason is to unite the Muslims, since indeed differences are a reason for the corruption of their situations and circumstances in their Deen and their Dunya.’
[Explanation of Saheeh Muslim 12/1836/p.537- 538]
Shaykh Muhammad bin Adam al-Ethiopi (d. 1442 AH) -Rahimahullaah- said:
‘This hadeeth explains the encouragement to hear and obey in all circumstances. The reason for that is the unity of the Muslims. Indeed, differing is the means for evil and corruption in circumstance of their Deen and their worldly matters and Allaah Ta’ala is more knowledgeable with what is correct.’
[Taken from al-Bahar al-Muheet v.32 p.61]
[2] [Collected by Muslim in the book of rulership, Chapter: The obligation of obedience to the rulers other than in disobedience to Allaah, no. 1836]
Nawawi (d. 676 AH) -Rahimahullaah- said:
‘The scholars said: ‘It means that it is obligatory to obey the rulers in that which is difficult, and what the soul dislikes and to obey them in other things in which it is not sinful. If it is sinful, then there is no hearing nor obediance as is clearly mentioned in the other Ahadeeth.
These general Ahadeeth regarding the obligation of obedience to the rulers are understood in agreement with those clear Ahadeeth that there is no hearing and obedience in sin.’
