عن أبي سعيدٍ وأبي هريرةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُما: أنَّ رسولَ اللهِ صَلّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وسَلَّم قال: «مَا بَعَثَ اللهُ مِنْ نَبِيٍّ ولا استَخْلَفَ مِنْ خَليفَةٍ إلَّا كَانَتْ لَهُ بِطَانتَانِ: بِطَانَةٌ تَأْمُرُهُ بِالمَعْرُوفِ وَتحُضُّهُ عليهِ، وبِطَانَةٌ تَأْمُرُهُ بِالشَّرِّ وتحُضُّهُ عليهِ، والمَعصُومُ: منْ عَصَمَ اللهُ» رَوَاهُ الْبُخَارِيُّ.
Abu Sa'id and Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with them both) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Allah never sent a prophet nor appointed a successor (caliph) but that he had two inner circles: an inner circle that enjoins good upon him and urges him to it, and an inner circle that enjoins evil upon him and urges him to it. And the protected one is he whom Allah protects." Reported by al-Bukhari.
الشرح · explanation
خليفة: حاكم أو ذو ولاية. بطانتان: فئتان من الأعوان، وبطانة الرجل صاحب سره الذي يشاوره في أحواله. تأمره بالمعروف: تشير عليه بما عُرف واستحسن شرعًا من إقامة الدين والعدل بين الناس، وتشير عليه بالأصلح في أمور الدنيا. تحضّه: تحثّه. تأمره بالشر: تدعوه إليه وتزيِّنه له. المعصوم: المحفوظ من تأثير بطانة الشر. من عصمه الله: حفظه الله، بالاهتداء إلى شرع الله تعالى وصرفه عن قرناء السوء واتباع الهوى.
"Successor (caliph)": a ruler or one holding authority. "Two inner circles": two groups of aides; a man's inner circle is his confidant whom he consults in his affairs. "Enjoins good upon him": advises him toward what is known and approved in the Shari'ah, such as establishing the religion and justice among people, and advises him toward what is most beneficial in worldly matters. "Urges him": incites him. "Enjoins evil upon him": calls him to it and makes it seem attractive to him. "The protected one": the one guarded from the influence of the evil inner circle. "He whom Allah protects": whom Allah guards, by guiding him to the law of Allah the Exalted and turning him away from evil companions and the following of desire.
الدروس · lessons
من واجب الحاكم أن يختار من عُرف بالتقوى والأمانة والخبرة والنصح، ويقربهم إليه ويستشيرهم في أموره، وأن يبعد عنه من عرف بالشر والفساد ويكون منهم على حذر. طاعة الله عزّ وجلّ واتباع شرعه عصمة من الزلل، فعلى الحاكم أن يعتصم به ويطبق أحكامه، ليقي نفسه من التأثُّر ببطانة السوء.
It is the duty of the ruler to choose those known for piety, trustworthiness, expertise, and sincere counsel, to bring them close and consult them in his affairs, and to keep away from those known for evil and corruption, remaining wary of them. Obedience to Allah (the Mighty and Majestic) and following His law is a protection from error; so the ruler must hold fast to Him and apply His rulings, to guard himself against being influenced by the evil inner circle.