This makes clear that the imams are the rulers who wield authority; that the acts of disobedience to Allah they commit must be detested and condemned; and that obedience to them must not be renounced (1). Rather, they are to be obeyed in matters that constitute obedience to Allah. It also makes clear that among them are the best and the worst: those who are loved and prayed for, who love the people and pray for them; and those who are hated and pray against the people, while the people hate them and pray against them.
In the two Sahīh collections (2), [Abū Hurayra] (3) narrated that the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said:
“The Children of Israel were governed by the prophets. Whenever a prophet died, another prophet succeeded him. There will be no prophet after me, but there will be caliphs, and they will become numerous.” (4)
They asked, “What do you command us to do?”
He replied:
“Honor the pledge of allegiance to the first, then the next, and give them their due. Allah will question them about those He entrusted to their care.” (5)
Thus, he informed us that there would be many caliphs after him (6), and commanded that the pledge of allegiance be fulfilled—
(1) A and B read: “and never withdraw [your hand from obedience to them].”
(2) N and M read: “and in the Sahīh.”
(3) “From Abū Hurayra” is omitted from N and M.
(4) N reads *wa-tunkiru* (“and you condemn”), while M reads *tunkiru* (“you condemn”). Sahīh Muslim, 3/1471, reads: *wa-takthuru* (“and they become numerous”). Al-Nawawī says in his commentary on Muslim, 12/231: “The correct reading is *fa-takthuru* (‘and they become numerous’), with the three-dotted *thā*, from *kathra* (‘abundance’). This is the correct and well-known reading. Al-Qādī said: ‘Some read it as *fa-takburu*, with the single-dotted *bā*, as though it meant regarding their evil conduct as grave; but this is a scribal corruption.’” Sahīh al-Bukhārī, 4/169, reads: *fa-yakthurūna* (“and they become numerous”).
(5) The hadith narrated by Abū Hurayra—may Allah be pleased with him—is found in al-Bukhārī, 4/169 (Book of the Prophets, chapter on reports concerning the Children of Israel); Muslim, 3/1471 (Book of Leadership, chapter on the obligation to honor pledges of allegiance to the caliphs); Sunan Ibn Mājah, 2/958–959 (Book of Jihad, chapter on honoring the pledge of allegiance); and al-Musnad (al-Maārif ed.), 15/109–110.
(6) N reads *tunkiru* (“you condemn”); M, *yunkirūna* (“they condemn”); and A, *kathīrūna* (“many”). The reading printed in the text, *kathīrīna* (“many”), is from B.