In both Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and Muslim, and in other collections as well, ʿUbādah ibn al-Ṣāmit—may Allah be pleased with him—reported: “We pledged allegiance to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to listen and obey in hardship and in ease, in energy and in reluctance, even when others are given preference over us; that we would not dispute the authority of those who deserve it; and that we would speak—or stand—for the truth wherever we might be, fearing no blame for the sake of Allah.” 1

Likewise, the two Ṣaḥīḥs record from ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar—may Allah be pleased with them both—that the Prophet ﷺ said: “A Muslim must listen and obey whether he likes it or detests it, unless he is ordered to commit a sin; in that case there is neither listening nor obedience.” 2

Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim also narrates from Abū Hurayrah—may Allah be pleased with him—that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ declared: “You must listen and obey in your hardship and your ease, in your enthusiasm and your reluctance, even when others are favored over you.” 3

The meaning of his words “even when others are favored over you” and “even when they show favoritism toward us” is that—even if