The Messenger of God (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) said: “Everyone of you is a shepherd; everyone of you is responsible for his flock. A ruler is shepherd over his people; he is accountable for their welfare. A man is shepherd over his family; he is accountable for their welfare. A woman is shepherdess over her husband’s household and children; she is accountable for their welfare. A man’s servant is shepherd over his master’s property; he is accountable for it. Be careful! All of you are shepherds; and all of you shall be accountable for their flocks.”
(Bukhari, Muslim)
A close scrutiny of human life reveals that man is not absolutely free. He is always accountable to someone, may be Allah or a fellow human. For example, kill a person and you will be caught hold of if you live in a land governed by law and order. Even if you escape, you will be held accountable in the Day of Judgement.
In the present hadith, Allah’s Messenger ﷺ says that everyone is responsible. The very word ‘responsibility’ carries with it a strong sense of accountability. The metaphor of a shepherd makes the idea abundantly clear.
If a shepherd takes his flock to a green pasture and brings it back in the evening, it is well and good. But if he turns careless, he may lose some sheep out of his flock. Similarly, everyone is responsible for whoever and whatever is under his or her care and supervision.