WEBVTT 00:00:00.780 --> 00:00:09.779 *Riyadh as-Salihin* (The Gardens of the Righteous) from the words of the Master of the Messengers, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 00:00:09.779 --> 00:00:24.260 Chapter: Prohibition of seeking leadership and the choice to avoid public office if it is not individually obligatory or if there is no pressing need for it. 00:00:24.260 --> 00:00:34.259 Allah Almighty said: ﴿That [home of] the Hereafter We assign to those who do not desire exaltedness upon the earth or corruption. And the [best] outcome is for the righteous.﴾ 00:00:34.259 --> 00:00:37.259 ﴿And the [best] outcome is for the righteous.﴾ 00:00:37.259 --> 00:00:44.859 On the authority of Abu Sa'id 'Abd al-Rahman ibn Samurah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: 00:00:44.859 --> 00:00:48.859 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said to me: 00:00:48.859 --> 00:00:53.859 "O 'Abd al-Rahman ibn Samurah, do not ask for leadership. 00:00:53.859 --> 00:00:58.859 For if it is given to you without your asking, you will be helped in it; 00:00:58.859 --> 00:01:03.859 but if it is given to you because of your asking, you will be left entirely to it. 00:01:03.859 --> 00:01:08.859 And if you swear an oath to do something, and then see something else better than it, 00:01:08.859 --> 00:01:13.859 perform that which is better and expiate your oath." 00:01:13.859 --> 00:01:15.859 Agreed upon. 00:01:15.859 --> 00:01:22.599 "Do not ask for leadership": meaning, do not seek the Caliphate or any other position of authority. 00:01:22.599 --> 00:01:28.700 "You will be helped in it": meaning, Allah will assist you with guidance and granting success toward what is right. 00:01:28.700 --> 00:01:34.790 "You will be left entirely to it": meaning, you will be turned over to it and left to rely solely on your own resources. 00:01:34.790 --> 00:01:40.079 "Swear an oath": meaning, you make a solemn vow regarding something. 00:01:40.079 --> 00:01:43.180 "And then see something else better than it": 00:01:43.180 --> 00:01:48.180 You come to know that breaking the oath is better than fulfilling what you swore upon. 00:01:48.180 --> 00:01:54.500 "Perform": meaning, execute the better deed; "and expiate": meaning, pay the required expiation. 00:01:54.500 --> 00:02:02.069 Among the benefits of the hadith: the prohibition against seeking or coveting positions related to governance, 00:02:02.069 --> 00:02:07.069 such as leadership, judgeship, public accountability (*hisbah*), and general public posts. 00:02:07.069 --> 00:02:13.069 This is because whoever seeks such positions is usually driven by personal self-interest, 00:02:13.069 --> 00:02:17.069 and therefore will not hesitate to commit sins 00:02:17.069 --> 00:02:20.069 in order to attain what he coveted and requested. 00:02:20.069 --> 00:02:28.069 On the other hand, whoever fears governing will be more inclined to justice due to his caution against falling into sin. 00:02:28.069 --> 00:02:36.710 It is permissible to accept such an office if the Caliph commands it or if the decision-makers (*ahl al-hall wa-l-'aqd*) appoint him. 00:02:36.710 --> 00:02:41.379 A servant cannot succeed except through Allah's help and grant of success. 00:02:41.379 --> 00:02:45.379 Therefore, he must seek that support by engaging in its proper means. 00:02:45.379 --> 00:02:51.379 And whomever Allah leaves to himself will be utterly disappointed and ruined. 00:02:51.379 --> 00:02:56.960 It is impermissible to fulfill an oath when doing otherwise is more righteous. 00:02:56.960 --> 00:03:01.340 Expiation is obligatory upon whoever breaks his oath. 00:03:01.340 --> 00:03:04.340 It is permissible to pay the expiation either after breaking the oath or before doing so. 00:03:04.340 --> 00:03:11.949 The hadith indicates the principle of prioritizing the weightier and greater public interest in Islamic law. 00:03:11.949 --> 00:03:17.039 On the authority of Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: 00:03:17.039 --> 00:03:21.039 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said to me: 00:03:21.039 --> 00:03:25.039 "O Abu Dharr, I see that you are weak, 00:03:25.039 --> 00:03:29.039 and I love for you what I love for myself. 00:03:29.039 --> 00:03:32.039 Do not assume authority over even two people, 00:03:32.039 --> 00:03:35.039 and do not take charge of an orphan's property." 00:03:35.039 --> 00:03:37.099 Narrated by Muslim. 00:03:37.099 --> 00:03:39.740 "Weak": 00:03:39.740 --> 00:03:44.740 Meaning, you lack the capacity to bear the heavy burdens of public office. 00:03:44.740 --> 00:03:47.060 "Do not assume authority": 00:03:47.060 --> 00:03:50.060 Meaning, do not become a ruler or commander. 00:03:50.060 --> 00:03:52.129 "And do not take charge": 00:03:52.129 --> 00:03:54.129 Meaning, do not act as a guardian, 00:03:54.129 --> 00:03:56.129 nor approach any position of administrative authority. 00:03:56.129 --> 00:04:00.569 Among the benefits of the hadith: 00:04:00.569 --> 00:04:06.949 The prohibition of assuming authority for someone who knows within himself that he is too weak to fulfill its responsibilities. 00:04:06.949 --> 00:04:08.949 The obligation to preserve the property of orphans, 00:04:08.949 --> 00:04:14.560 and the prohibition of consuming it unlawfully or neglecting it. 00:04:14.560 --> 00:04:20.100 Islam's keen concern for the public interest and the preservation of orphans' wealth. 00:04:20.100 --> 00:04:25.680 The obligation upon a Muslim to sincerely advise his brother if he sees a weakness or flaw in him. 00:04:25.680 --> 00:04:30.680 A Muslim should express affection to his brother when offering him advice, 00:04:30.680 --> 00:04:35.680 so as to make him feel his sincerity, good intentions, and care for him. 00:04:35.680 --> 00:04:39.220 It is part of the perfection of love for Allah's sake 00:04:39.220 --> 00:04:43.610 that a person loves for his brother the same good he loves for himself. 00:04:43.610 --> 00:04:48.610 The immense responsibility of leadership and the dissuasion from seeking it, 00:04:48.610 --> 00:04:53.610 due to the regret and remorse it entails on the Day of Resurrection, 00:04:53.610 --> 00:04:56.610 except for the one who fulfills its rights properly. 00:04:56.610 --> 00:05:01.860 On the authority of Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: 00:05:01.860 --> 00:05:05.860 I said, "O Messenger of Allah, will you not appoint me to a post?" 00:05:05.860 --> 00:05:09.860 He struck my shoulder with his hand and then said: 00:05:09.860 --> 00:05:12.860 "O Abu Dharr, you are weak, 00:05:12.860 --> 00:05:14.860 and it is a trust. 00:05:14.860 --> 00:05:18.860 On the Day of Resurrection, it will be a source of disgrace and regret, 00:05:18.860 --> 00:05:21.860 except for one who takes it rightfully 00:05:21.860 --> 00:05:24.860 and fulfills all the duties required of him in it." 00:05:24.860 --> 00:05:28.560 Narrated by Muslim. 00:05:28.560 --> 00:05:32.560 "Will you not appoint me": meaning, will you not make me an official over some affair? 00:05:32.560 --> 00:05:37.689 "My shoulder": refers to the junction where the head of the upper arm meets the shoulder. 00:05:37.689 --> 00:05:39.819 "Disgrace and regret": 00:05:39.819 --> 00:05:43.819 Meaning, public exposure and humiliation for the one who fails to uphold its rights, 00:05:43.819 --> 00:05:46.819 causing him to bitterly regret ever accepting it. 00:05:46.819 --> 00:05:50.850 "Rightfully": meaning, he was truly suited and qualified for it. 00:05:50.850 --> 00:05:54.490 Among the benefits of the hadith: 00:05:54.490 --> 00:05:57.649 Whoever seeks public office is not to be appointed to it. 00:05:57.649 --> 00:06:03.649 Islam does not grant leadership to one who asks for it, covets it, or strives to obtain it. 00:06:04.649 --> 00:06:08.649 The most deserving of people for authority are those who refrain from it and dislike it. 00:06:08.649 --> 00:06:14.220 Public office is a monumental trust and a grave responsibility; 00:06:14.220 --> 00:06:18.220 whoever is appointed to it must discharge its duties with utmost care 00:06:18.220 --> 00:06:21.220 and not betray Allah's covenant regarding it. 00:06:21.220 --> 00:06:25.639 The virtue of one who assumes public office while being qualified for it, 00:06:25.639 --> 00:06:28.639 whether he is a just ruler, 00:06:28.639 --> 00:06:30.639 a trustworthy treasurer, 00:06:30.639 --> 00:06:33.639 or a diligent administrator. 00:06:33.639 --> 00:06:37.790 On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), 00:06:37.790 --> 00:06:41.790 that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: 00:06:41.790 --> 00:06:45.819 "You will eagerly covet leadership, 00:06:45.819 --> 00:06:48.819 but it will become a cause of regret on the Day of Resurrection." 00:06:48.819 --> 00:06:53.100 Narrated by al-Bukhari. 00:06:53.100 --> 00:06:55.100 Among the benefits of the hadith: 00:06:55.100 --> 00:06:59.329 Dissuasion from coveting positions and high offices, 00:06:59.329 --> 00:07:03.740 especially by those who are not qualified for them. 00:07:03.740 --> 00:07:06.740 The severe punishment for one who neglects his public trust, 00:07:06.740 --> 00:07:09.740 fails to fulfill its rights properly, 00:07:09.740 --> 00:07:14.189 and does not discharge it in the most complete and exemplary manner. 00:07:14.189 --> 00:07:17.189 Eagerly coveting leadership and loving honor and status 00:07:17.189 --> 00:07:19.189 corrupts a person's religion, 00:07:19.189 --> 00:07:23.189 as stated in the saying of the Prophet, peace be upon him: 00:07:23.189 --> 00:07:27.189 "Two hungry wolves let loose among a flock of sheep 00:07:27.189 --> 00:07:32.189 do not cause more corruption to them than a man's eagerness for wealth and status causes to his religion." 00:07:32.189 --> 00:07:35.639 This hadith is among the signs of prophethood, 00:07:35.639 --> 00:07:39.639 for what the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, foretold has indeed come to pass 00:07:39.639 --> 00:07:41.639 regarding people's intense covetousness for authority, 00:07:41.639 --> 00:07:43.639 to the extent of fighting one another over it 00:07:43.639 --> 00:07:47.639 and resorting to every conceivable means to attain it. 00:07:47.639 --> 00:07:50.639 We ask Allah for safety and wellbeing. 00:07:53.300 --> 00:07:58.300 Chapter: Encouraging the ruler, judge, and other officials 00:07:58.300 --> 00:08:00.300 to appoint a righteous advisor, 00:08:00.300 --> 00:08:04.300 and warning them against bad companions and accepting their advice. 00:08:04.300 --> 00:08:08.449 Allah Almighty said: 00:08:08.449 --> 00:08:15.509 “Friends on that day will be foes one to another, save those who kept their duty (to Allah).” (43:67) 00:08:15.509 --> 00:08:21.730 On the authority of Abu Sa'id and Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with them both), 00:08:21.730 --> 00:08:25.730 that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: 00:08:25.730 --> 00:08:28.730 "Allah never sent any prophet, 00:08:28.730 --> 00:08:30.730 nor did any Caliph succeed to power, 00:08:30.730 --> 00:08:33.730 except that he had two inner circles of advisors: 00:08:34.730 --> 00:08:38.730 an inner circle that commands him to do good and urges him to do it, 00:08:38.730 --> 00:08:43.730 and an inner circle that commands him to do evil and urges him to do it. 00:08:43.730 --> 00:08:46.730 And the protected one is he whom Allah protects." 00:08:46.730 --> 00:08:48.820 Narrated by al-Bukhari. 00:08:48.820 --> 00:08:55.750 "Inner circle" (*bitanah*): meaning a group of assistants, close confidants, and allies. 00:08:55.750 --> 00:08:59.009 "Urges him": meaning prompts and compels him. 00:08:59.009 --> 00:09:02.779 Among the benefits of the hadith: 00:09:02.779 --> 00:09:05.259 All matters are in the hands of Allah; 00:09:05.259 --> 00:09:07.259 He gives sovereignty to whom He wills, 00:09:07.259 --> 00:09:10.259 takes away sovereignty from whom He wills, 00:09:10.259 --> 00:09:12.259 guides whom He wills, 00:09:12.259 --> 00:09:14.259 and leaves to stray whom He wills. 00:09:14.259 --> 00:09:18.830 A person is either a caller to Allah— 00:09:18.830 --> 00:09:21.830 commanding good and urging people toward it, 00:09:21.830 --> 00:09:24.830 and forbidding evil and warning against it— 00:09:24.830 --> 00:09:27.830 or someone invited toward Satan and his party. 00:09:27.830 --> 00:09:30.309 As for a ruler's close companions, 00:09:30.309 --> 00:09:32.309 some are people of righteousness and goodness 00:09:32.309 --> 00:09:35.309 who command obedience to Allah and His Messenger, 00:09:35.309 --> 00:09:37.309 forbid evil, 00:09:37.309 --> 00:09:40.309 and remind him of the meeting with Allah; 00:09:40.309 --> 00:09:43.309 while others are people of corruption and evil, 00:09:43.309 --> 00:09:45.309 who do the exact opposite. 00:09:45.309 --> 00:09:47.820 It is the duty of the ruler 00:09:47.820 --> 00:09:49.820 to select a group from his subjects 00:09:49.820 --> 00:09:51.820 known for piety, knowledge, 00:09:51.820 --> 00:09:53.820 trustworthiness, and sincere counsel, 00:09:53.820 --> 00:09:55.820 keeping them close to himself 00:09:55.820 --> 00:09:57.820 and consulting them in his affairs; 00:09:57.820 --> 00:10:01.820 and to distance himself from those known for evil and corruption, 00:10:01.820 --> 00:10:04.820 remaining fully on guard against them. 00:10:04.820 --> 00:10:07.429 Whoever seeks illumination from Allah's light 00:10:07.429 --> 00:10:09.429 and implements Allah's law, 00:10:09.429 --> 00:10:11.429 Allah grants him success through His grace, 00:10:11.429 --> 00:10:14.429 protects him from the evil of his own soul, 00:10:14.429 --> 00:10:18.429 and removes from him the plots of Satan and his allies. 00:10:18.429 --> 00:10:23.549 On the authority of 'A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her), who said: 00:10:23.549 --> 00:10:27.549 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: 00:10:27.549 --> 00:10:30.580 "When Allah intends good for a ruler, 00:10:30.580 --> 00:10:33.580 He grants him a truthful advisor: 00:10:33.580 --> 00:10:35.580 if he forgets, the advisor reminds him, 00:10:35.580 --> 00:10:37.580 and if he remembers, the advisor assists him. 00:10:37.580 --> 00:10:40.710 But when Allah intends otherwise for him, 00:10:40.710 --> 00:10:43.710 He assigns him a bad advisor: 00:10:43.710 --> 00:10:45.710 if he forgets, the advisor does not remind him, 00:10:45.710 --> 00:10:47.710 and if he remembers, the advisor does not assist him." 00:10:47.710 --> 00:10:50.940 Narrated by Abu Dawud. 00:10:50.940 --> 00:10:55.539 "Advisor" (*wazir*): refers to the supportive companion 00:10:55.539 --> 00:10:59.539 whose counsel and management the ruler relies upon, 00:10:59.539 --> 00:11:02.990 and who carries part of his heavy burdens. 00:11:02.990 --> 00:11:05.990 "Truthful": meaning a sincere and trustworthy advisor. 00:11:05.990 --> 00:11:08.120 "If he forgets": 00:11:08.120 --> 00:11:11.120 Meaning, if he neglects any of the duties that must be performed 00:11:11.120 --> 00:11:14.340 to secure the welfare of the Ummah. 00:11:14.340 --> 00:11:16.340 "Intends otherwise for him": 00:11:16.340 --> 00:11:18.340 Meaning, He intends evil for him, 00:11:18.340 --> 00:11:20.340 though it is not explicitly mentioned 00:11:20.340 --> 00:11:23.340 so as to strongly encourage the avoidance of evil. 00:11:23.340 --> 00:11:27.659 Among the benefits of the hadith: 00:11:27.659 --> 00:11:30.659 The presence of a righteous group around the ruler, 00:11:30.659 --> 00:11:33.659 guiding him to good and assisting him in it, 00:11:33.659 --> 00:11:36.659 is evidence of Allah Almighty's grant of success to him 00:11:36.659 --> 00:11:38.659 and His pleasure with him; 00:11:38.659 --> 00:11:41.659 and in that there is aid toward establishing justice. 00:11:41.659 --> 00:11:45.200 A warning to rulers against evil inner circles, 00:11:45.200 --> 00:11:49.200 for they are a cause of corruption and tyranny. 00:11:49.200 --> 00:11:52.710 The prescribed nature of taking a truthful advisor. 00:11:52.710 --> 00:11:59.460 Chapter: Prohibition of appointing to leadership, judgeship, 00:11:59.460 --> 00:12:01.460 and other positions of authority 00:12:01.460 --> 00:12:04.460 anyone who asks for it or covets it, 00:12:04.460 --> 00:12:06.460 even by subtle allusion. 00:12:06.460 --> 00:12:11.289 On the authority of Abu Musa al-Ash'ari (may Allah be pleased with him), 00:12:11.289 --> 00:12:12.289 who said: 00:12:12.289 --> 00:12:15.289 I entered upon the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:12:15.289 --> 00:12:18.289 together with two men from my cousins. 00:12:18.289 --> 00:12:20.289 One of them said, 00:12:20.289 --> 00:12:22.289 "O Messenger of Allah, 00:12:22.289 --> 00:12:27.289 appoint us as governors over some of what Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, has entrusted to you." 00:12:27.289 --> 00:12:30.289 The other man said something similar. 00:12:30.289 --> 00:12:31.289 Thereupon he said: 00:12:31.289 --> 00:12:36.289 "By Allah, we do not appoint to this position anyone who asks for it, 00:12:36.289 --> 00:12:38.289 "or anyone who eagerly seeks it." 00:12:38.289 --> 00:12:40.419 It is agreed upon (by al-Bukhari and Muslim). 00:12:40.419 --> 00:12:43.629 "From my cousins," 00:12:43.629 --> 00:12:45.629 meaning from the Ash'arites. 00:12:45.629 --> 00:12:47.730 "Appoint us," 00:12:47.730 --> 00:12:49.730 meaning make us leaders or governors 00:12:49.730 --> 00:12:51.919 over "this matter," 00:12:51.919 --> 00:12:53.919 meaning the leadership of the Muslims. 00:12:53.919 --> 00:12:56.049 "Eagerly seeks it," 00:12:56.049 --> 00:12:57.049 meaning covets it, 00:12:57.049 --> 00:12:59.049 shows an intense desire for it, 00:12:59.049 --> 00:13:03.049 and demonstrates that either implicitly or explicitly. 00:13:03.049 --> 00:13:06.720 Among the benefits derived from the hadith: 00:13:06.720 --> 00:13:08.879 It is not permissible for the caliph 00:13:09.879 --> 00:13:13.879 to appoint anyone to a post who asks for it or eagerly seeks it, 00:13:13.879 --> 00:13:16.879 because that usually indicates he wants it 00:13:16.879 --> 00:13:19.879 for his own benefit or the benefit of his clan, 00:13:19.879 --> 00:13:23.460 rather than for the welfare of the Ummah. 00:13:23.460 --> 00:13:25.460 The caliph ought 00:13:25.460 --> 00:13:27.460 to choose competent and God-fearing individuals 00:13:27.460 --> 00:13:30.460 to appoint over public offices, 00:13:30.460 --> 00:13:33.460 so that they may aid him in upholding justice, 00:13:33.460 --> 00:13:36.460 implementing the law of Allah within the Ummah, 00:13:36.460 --> 00:13:39.460 and spreading peace and security among the people.