Riyad as-Salihin, 675
Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
I said to Messenger of Allah (ﷺ): "Why do you not appoint me to an (official) position?" He (ﷺ) patted me on the shoulder with his hand and said, "O Abu Dharr, you are a weak man and it is a trust and it will be a cause of disgrace and remorse on the Day of Resurrection except for the one who takes it up with a full sense of responsibility and fulfills what is entrusted to him (discharges its obligations efficiently)." <b>[Muslim]</b>.
وعنه قال: قلت يا رسول الله ألا تستعملني؟ فضرب بيده على منكبي ثم قال: “يا أبا ذر إنك ضعيف، وإنها أمانة، وإنها يوم القيامة خزي وندامة، إلا من أخذها بحقها، وأدى الذى عليه فيها” ((رواه مسلم)).
References1 variant
- In-Book Reference
- Introduction, Hadith 675
Sharh · explanationclick to expand
<b>Guidance from the Hadiths:</b><br>
1) It is required for any leadership post that the person be strong and trustworthy; {Indeed, the best one you can hire is the strong and the trustworthy.} In case of failure to find a person possessing these two attributes perfectly, then the best should be appointed.<br>
2) Authority is a great responsibility and tremendous trust. So, whoever assumes it should undertake it properly and not breach the trust that Allah assigned to him.<br>
3) A Muslim should advise his fellow Muslim not to assume a leadership position if he sees certain incompetence or weakness in him. A case in point is the Prophet’s advice to Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) to keep away from leadership.