We Are All Guardians and Responsible For Those Under Our Care!

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Ibn Umar [radiyallaahu-anhumaa] said that the Messenger of Allaah [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said, “All of you are guardians and responsible for those under your care.  The ruler is the guardian of his subjects and is responsible for them; a man is the guardian of his family and is responsible for them; a woman is the guardian of her husband’s house and is responsible for it; and a servant is the guardian of his master’s belongings and is responsible for them”.  Ibn Umar added, I thought that he also said, ‘A man is the guardian of his father’s property and is responsible for it. All of you are guardians and responsible for your wards and the things under your care’’’. [Bukhaari Number 893]

This includes [the responsibilities of] a father, a married couple, a head teacher [or manager], a [government] minister and other than them- those whom others are placed under their responsibility [i.e. under their authority, care or guardianship]. It is not only limited to the leader of a nation, [rather] a Muslim has responsibilities towards his children, spouse, [extended] family, society, and occupation, [as well as responsibilities] in his street and Masjid! [Source: An Excerpt from ‘Silsilah Ar-Rasaa’il Al-Manhajiyyah Fin-Nus’hi Wal-Irshaad Wat-Taw’iyah’ Pages 24-25’.  slightly paraphrased]