Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying that Gabriel came to him and said, “When you perform ablution, Muhammad , sprinkle yourself.” Tirmidhi transmitted it and said, “This is a gharib tradition, and I heard Muhammad (i.e. Bukhari) say that the traditions of al-Hasan b. ‘Ali al-Hashimi the transmitter are rejected.”

‘Auf b. Malik al-Ashja‘i reported God's Messenger as saying, “Your best imams are those whom you like and who like you, on whom you invoke blessings and who invoke blessings on you; and your worst imams are those whom you hate and who hate you, whom you curse and who curse you.” They asked God's Messenger whether in that event they should not depose them, but he replied, “No, as long as they observe the prayer among you; no, as long as they observe the prayer among you. If anyone has a governor whom he sees doing anything which is an act of disobedience to God, he must disapprove of the disobedience to God which he commits, but must never withdraw from obedience.” Muslim transmitted it.

Umm Salama reported God’s Messenger as saying, “You will have commanders some of whom you will approve and some of whom you will disapprove. He who expresses disapproval is guiltless and he who feels disapproval is safe, but he who is pleased and follows them ...” His hearers interrupted, “Shall we not fight with them?” but he replied, “No, as long as they pray; no, as long as they pray.” It means one who feels disapproval in his heart and expresses disapproval in his heart. Muslim transmitted it.

‘Abdallah b. Mas'ud told that God’s Messenger said to them, “After my death you will see [rulers] appropriating the best things for themselves and other matters which you will disapprove.” He was asked what he commanded them to do and replied, “Give them what is due to them and ask God for what is due to you.” (Bukhari and Muslim).

Wa’il b. Hujr told that Salama b. Yazid al-Ju‘fi questioned God’s Messenger saying, “Prophet of God, tell us what you command us to do if commanders arise over us who demand of us what is due to them and refuse us what is due to us.” He replied, “Listen and obey, for they are responsible only for what has been laid on them (cf. Al-Qur’an, 24

‘Abdallah b. ‘Umar told that he heard God's Messenger say, “He who throws off obedience will meet God on the day of resurrection without possessing any plea, and he who dies without having taken an oath of allegiance will die like a pagan.” Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported the Prophet (ﷺ) as saying, “The B. Isra’il were governed by the prophets, as often as one died another taking his place. There will be no prophet after me, but there will be numerous caliphs.” He was asked what command he had to give and replied, “Fulfil the oath of allegiance to each and give them their due for God will question them about what He asked them to guard.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported God’s Messenger as saying, “When allegiance is sworn to two caliphs kill the second of them.* Muslim transmitted it. * Some interpret ‘kill’ here as meaning to fight with. The tradition is directed against the possibility of two Caliphs holding power at the same time, even though the areas might be quite distinct.

‘Arfaja told that he heard God’s Messenger say, “Various corruptions will arise, so strike with the sword him who tries to cause separation in this people when they are united, whoever he be.” Muslim transmitted it.

He told that he heard God’s Messenger say, “If anyone comes to you when you are united under one man desiring to split you or cause parties in your community, kill him.” Muslim transmitted it.

‘Abdallah b. ‘Amr reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If anyone swears allegiance to an imam, giving him his hand in ratification and sincere agreement in his heart, he must obey him if he can. Then if another comes and contends with him, cut off that other one’s head.” Muslim transmitted it.