قصص وأحوال الأمم السابقة
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The Children of Israel were being ruled by the Prophets. When one prophet died, another succeeded him. There will be no prophet after me. Caliphs will come after me, and they will be many." The Companions said: "O Messenger of Allah, what do you command us to do?" He said: "Fulfill the pledge of allegiance to which is sworn first (then swear allegiance to the others). Concede to them their due rights and ask Allah that which is due to you. Allah will call them to account in respect of the subjects whom He had entrusted to them."
عن أبي هريرة -رضي الله عنه- قال: قال رسول الله -صلى الله عليه وسلم-: «كانت بنو إسرائيل تَسُوسُهُمُ، الأنبياء، كلما هلك نبي خَلَفَهُ نبي، وإنه لا نبي بعدي، وسيكون بعدي خلفاء فيكثرون»، قالوا: يا رسول الله، فما تأمرنا؟ قال: «أوفوا ببيعة الأول فالأول، ثم أعطوهم حقهم، واسألوا الله الذي لكم، فإنَّ الله سائلهم عما اسْتَرْعَاهُم».
شرح الحديث :
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informed his Companions that the prophets used to be in charge of the Children of Israel's affairs, just as leaders and rulers are with their subjects. Every time a prophet died, another succeeded him, and that there is no prophet after him (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). Rather, there will be many caliphs who will rule the people. The Companions asked: "If the caliphs are many after you and disputes and disagreements erupt between them, what do you order us to do?" He answered: "Obey the one you pledged allegiance to first, and give them their due rights even if they don't give you your rights, because Allah will call them to account concerning your rights, and He will reward you for the rights you have over them."