When we enter upon our rulers, we say to them things contrary to what we say when we leave them. He said: We used to consider this hypocrisy during the Prophet's lifetime

When we enter upon our rulers, we say to them things contrary to what we say when we leave them. He said: We used to consider this hypocrisy during the Prophet's lifetime

Muhammad ibn Zayd reported that some people said to his grandfather ‘Abdullāh Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with both of them): When we enter upon our rulers, we say to them things contrary to what we say when we leave them. He said: "We used to consider this hypocrisy during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him)."

[Sahih/Authentic.] [Al-Bukhari]

Explanation

It was reported that some people came to ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) and said: When we enter upon our rulers, we tell them things, but when we leave them, we say something else. Thereupon, Ibn ‘Umar said: We used to consider this hypocrisy during the lifetime of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). That is because they failed to speak the truth and betrayed their duty to offer sincere advice. Indeed, anyone who meets the people in authority, be they rulers, ministers, presidents, or kings, is required to speak the truth as it is.

Categories

Hypocrisy, Imam's Rights over the Subjects