Riyad as-Salihin, 673

'Abdur-Rahman bin Samurah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to me, "Do not ask for position of authority. If you are granted this position without asking for it, you will be helped (by Allah) in discharging its responsibilities; but if you are given it as a result of your request, you will be left alone as its captive. If you take an oath to do something and then find a better alternative, you should adopt the latter and expiate for your oath." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

وعن أبى سعيد عبد الرحمن بن سمرة رضي الله عنه ، قال‏:‏ قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ، ‏"‏يا عبد الرحمن بن سمرة‏:‏ لا تسأل الإمارة، فإنك إن أعطيتها عن غير مسألة أعنت عليها، وإن أعطيتها عن مسألةٍ وكلت إليها، وإذا حلفت على يمين ، فرأيت غيرها خيراً منها، فأت الذى هو خير ، وكفر عن يمينك” ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏ ‏.‏

References1 variant

In-Book Reference: Introduction, Hadith 673

Sharh · explanationclick to expand

Guidance from the Hadith: 1) It is part of piety and religiousness not to ask for a leadership position, for when a person does so and he is given the position, he is left to his himself, not to the support from Allah. 2) If a person is given a position without him asking for it or aspiring to it, Allah will help him in the discharge of his responsibility.

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