It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Each of you is a guardian and each of you will be questioned about his subjects. The ruler is responsible and will be questioned about his subjects. A man is responsible for his family and will be questioned about those under his care. A woman is responsible for her husband’s house and will be questioned about her responsibilities. A servant is a guardian over his master’s wealth and will be questioned about it. Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard these words from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). And I think the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) also said that a person is responsible and guardian over his father’s wealth, so he will also be questioned about it. In short, each of you is a guardian and will be questioned about his subjects.

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Allah Almighty grants a servant authority over a small or large group of people; on the Day of Resurrection, He will question him regarding them—whether he implemented Allah’s command among them or not. He will even specifically question him about his family.

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that he saw a shepherd grazing goats in a very filthy place, while he had seen a better place than that. So he said: Shepherd! Woe to you, move these goats from here and take them there, because I heard the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say that every person in charge will be questioned about those under his care.

It is narrated from Hasan that Sayyiduna Ma'qil bin Yasar (may Allah be pleased with him) fell ill and 'Ubaydullah bin Ziyad came to visit him. Sayyiduna Ma'qil (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I will tell you a hadith which I have not narrated before. I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say: If Allah grants authority to any servant over a people, and he dies while deceiving his subjects, Allah will make Paradise forbidden for him. In another narration: He is of the people of Hell.

(Second chain) It is narrated from Hasan that Sayyiduna Ma'qil bin Yasar (may Allah be pleased with him) fell ill, and his illness became severe. Ibn Ziyad came to visit him. Sayyiduna Ma'qil (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I will tell you a hadith. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Whoever is given authority and does not treat his subjects well, he will not even smell the fragrance of Paradise, though its fragrance can be perceived from a distance of one hundred years. Ibn Ziyad said: Why did you not narrate this hadith before? Sayyiduna Ma'qil (may Allah be pleased with him) said: If you were not in the position you are now, even now I would not have narrated this hadith to you.

Abu al-Shamakh al-Azdi narrates from one of his cousins, who was among the Companions, that he went to Sayyiduna Muawiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) and said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say: Whoever is made a ruler over people and he closes his door to the poor, the oppressed, or the needy, Allah Almighty will close the doors of His mercy to him at the time of his need and poverty, while he will be in dire need of His mercy.

Sayyiduna Mu'adh bin Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Whoever is given authority over people and he distances himself from the weak and needy (and does not fulfill their needs), then on the Day of Resurrection Allah Almighty will turn away from him.

It is narrated from Abu al-Hasan that Amr bin Murrah said to Sayyiduna Muawiyah (may Allah be pleased with him): O Muawiyah! I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say: Whoever, as a ruler, closes his door to those in need and the poor, Allah Almighty closes the doors of the heavens to him at the time of his need, want, and poverty. After this, Sayyiduna Muawiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) appointed a person to look after the needs of the people.

Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Every prophet and ruler has two confidants; one confidant commands him to do good and forbids him from evil, and the other leaves no stone unturned in seeking his destruction and ruin. The ruler who is saved from his evil is indeed protected, and he is with the one who prevails among them.

Sayyidah Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: When Allah Almighty entrusts a person with the affairs of the Muslims and then intends goodness for him, He grants him a sincere minister; if he begins to forget, that minister reminds him, and if he remembers, that minister assists him.