The Ahmadiyya Gazette, September 1994

1. Ma’qil ibn Yasam relates that he heard the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, say: Allah will forbid Paradise to one whom He appoints in authority over people and who plays them false, die when he might. (Bokhari & 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.
2. Ayesha relates that she heard the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 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)
3. Abu Maryam Azdi relates that he said to Mu’awiah: I heard the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 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 a barrier between Himself and his needs and objects and poverty on the Day of Judgement. So Mu’awiah appointed a man to keep a check on the needs of people. (Abu Daud & Tirmidhi)
4. Auf ibn Malik relates that he heard the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, say: Your best rulers will be those whom you love and who love you, and for whom you pray and who pray for you; and your worst rulers will be those whom you hate and who hate you, and whom you curse and who curse you. We asked: Messenger of Allah, shall we not boycott them? He said: Not so long as they maintain the Prayer services; not so long as they maintain the Prayer services. (Muslim)