Anyone pledges allegiance to a ruler, giving him the grasp of his hand and sincerity of his heart, he should obey him to the best of his capacity. If another man comes forward disputing his authority, then you should behead the latter

Abdullāh ibn ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: We were on a journey with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and we halted at some place to rest. Some of us began to mend their tents; others began to compete with one another in shooting; and others began to graze their beasts. An announcer of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) announced that we should gather for prayer. So we gathered around the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). He said: "It was the duty of every prophet before me to guide his people to what he knew was good for them and warn them against what he knew was bad for them. The safety of this Ummah of yours lies in its early generations, whereas its late generations will be afflicted with trials and with things that you would reject. There will be tremendous trials, one after the other, each making the previous one dwindle into significance. When they are afflicted with a trial, the believer will say: 'This is going to bring about my destruction.' When it is over, they will be afflicted with another trial and the believer will say: 'This surely is going to be my end.' Anyone wishes to be saved from the Hellfire and be admitted to Paradise should die while having belief in Allah and the Last Day, and should treat people as he wishes to be treated by them. Anyone pledges allegiance to a ruler, giving him the grasp of his hand and sincerity of his heart, he should obey him to the best of his capacity. If another man comes forward disputing his authority, then you should behead the latter."

Attribution: Narrated by Muslim

Grade: Authentic hadith