Listen and obey, for they are only responsible for their duty, and you are responsible for your duty
عَنْ وَائِلٍ الْحَضْرَمِيِّ قَالَ: سَأَلَ سَلَمَةُ بْنُ يَزِيدَ الْجُعْفِيُّ رضي الله عنه رَسُولَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، فَقَالَ: يَا نَبِيَّ اللهِ، أَرَأَيْتَ إِنْ قَامَتْ عَلَيْنَا أُمَرَاءُ يَسْأَلُونَا حَقَّهُمْ وَيَمْنَعُونَا حَقَّنَا، فَمَا تَأْمُرُنَا؟ فَأَعْرَضَ عَنْهُ، ثُمَّ سَأَلَهُ، فَأَعْرَضَ عَنْهُ، ثُمَّ سَأَلَهُ فِي الثَّانِيَةِ أَوْ فِي الثَّالِثَةِ، فَجَذَبَهُ الْأَشْعَثُ بْنُ قَيْسٍ، وَقَالَ: «اسْمَعُوا وَأَطِيعُوا، فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْهِمْ مَا حُمِّلُوا، وَعَلَيْكُمْ مَا حُمِّلْتُمْ».
Explanation
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was asked about the rulers who demand their right from people, i.e., to listen and obey and withhold the right that is due to them, namely fulfilling justice, giving the spoils of war, redressing and settling grievances. What do you command us to do with them? The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) turned away from him as if he disliked these kinds of questions.
However, the questioner repeated his question for the second and third time; thereupon, Al-Ash‘ath ibn Qays (may Allah be pleased with him) pulled the questioner to silence him.
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) answered by saying: Listen to what they say and obey their command, as they are only responsible for their duty and for what is entrusted to them of fulfilling justice and giving the subjects their rights, and you are responsible for your duty of obedience, fulfilling rights, and enduring misfortunes patiently.
Source
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