Riyadh Al-Salehin | Episode (91) | Chapter on the prohibition of asking for leadership

0:00 *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.

0:09 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.

0:24 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.﴾

0:34 ﴿And the [best] outcome is for the righteous.﴾

0:37 On the authority of Abu Sa'id 'Abd al-Rahman ibn Samurah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said:

0:44 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said to me:

0:48 "O 'Abd al-Rahman ibn Samurah, do not ask for leadership.

0:53 For if it is given to you without your asking, you will be helped in it;

0:58 but if it is given to you because of your asking, you will be left entirely to it.

1:03 And if you swear an oath to do something, and then see something else better than it,

1:08 perform that which is better and expiate your oath."

1:13 Agreed upon.

1:15 "Do not ask for leadership": meaning, do not seek the Caliphate or any other position of authority.

1:22 "You will be helped in it": meaning, Allah will assist you with guidance and granting success toward what is right.

1:28 "You will be left entirely to it": meaning, you will be turned over to it and left to rely solely on your own resources.

1:34 "Swear an oath": meaning, you make a solemn vow regarding something.

1:40 "And then see something else better than it":

1:43 You come to know that breaking the oath is better than fulfilling what you swore upon.

1:48 "Perform": meaning, execute the better deed; "and expiate": meaning, pay the required expiation.

1:54 Among the benefits of the hadith: the prohibition against seeking or coveting positions related to governance,

2:02 such as leadership, judgeship, public accountability (*hisbah*), and general public posts.

2:07 This is because whoever seeks such positions is usually driven by personal self-interest,

2:13 and therefore will not hesitate to commit sins

2:17 in order to attain what he coveted and requested.

2:20 On the other hand, whoever fears governing will be more inclined to justice due to his caution against falling into sin.

2:28 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.

2:36 A servant cannot succeed except through Allah's help and grant of success.

2:41 Therefore, he must seek that support by engaging in its proper means.

2:45 And whomever Allah leaves to himself will be utterly disappointed and ruined.

2:51 It is impermissible to fulfill an oath when doing otherwise is more righteous.

2:56 Expiation is obligatory upon whoever breaks his oath.

3:01 It is permissible to pay the expiation either after breaking the oath or before doing so.

3:04 The hadith indicates the principle of prioritizing the weightier and greater public interest in Islamic law.

3:11 On the authority of Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him), who said:

3:17 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said to me:

3:21 "O Abu Dharr, I see that you are weak,

3:25 and I love for you what I love for myself.

3:29 Do not assume authority over even two people,

3:32 and do not take charge of an orphan's property."

3:35 Narrated by Muslim.

3:37 "Weak":

3:39 Meaning, you lack the capacity to bear the heavy burdens of public office.

3:44 "Do not assume authority":

3:47 Meaning, do not become a ruler or commander.

3:50 "And do not take charge":

3:52 Meaning, do not act as a guardian,

3:54 nor approach any position of administrative authority.

3:56 Among the benefits of the hadith:

4:00 The prohibition of assuming authority for someone who knows within himself that he is too weak to fulfill its responsibilities.

4:06 The obligation to preserve the property of orphans,

4:08 and the prohibition of consuming it unlawfully or neglecting it.

4:14 Islam's keen concern for the public interest and the preservation of orphans' wealth.

4:20 The obligation upon a Muslim to sincerely advise his brother if he sees a weakness or flaw in him.

4:25 A Muslim should express affection to his brother when offering him advice,

4:30 so as to make him feel his sincerity, good intentions, and care for him.

4:35 It is part of the perfection of love for Allah's sake

4:39 that a person loves for his brother the same good he loves for himself.

4:43 The immense responsibility of leadership and the dissuasion from seeking it,

4:48 due to the regret and remorse it entails on the Day of Resurrection,

4:53 except for the one who fulfills its rights properly.

4:56 On the authority of Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him), who said:

5:01 I said, "O Messenger of Allah, will you not appoint me to a post?"

5:05 He struck my shoulder with his hand and then said:

5:09 "O Abu Dharr, you are weak,

5:12 and it is a trust.

5:14 On the Day of Resurrection, it will be a source of disgrace and regret,

5:18 except for one who takes it rightfully

5:21 and fulfills all the duties required of him in it."

5:24 Narrated by Muslim.

5:28 "Will you not appoint me": meaning, will you not make me an official over some affair?

5:32 "My shoulder": refers to the junction where the head of the upper arm meets the shoulder.

5:37 "Disgrace and regret":

5:39 Meaning, public exposure and humiliation for the one who fails to uphold its rights,

5:43 causing him to bitterly regret ever accepting it.

5:46 "Rightfully": meaning, he was truly suited and qualified for it.

5:50 Among the benefits of the hadith:

5:54 Whoever seeks public office is not to be appointed to it.

5:57 Islam does not grant leadership to one who asks for it, covets it, or strives to obtain it.

6:04 The most deserving of people for authority are those who refrain from it and dislike it.

6:08 Public office is a monumental trust and a grave responsibility;

6:14 whoever is appointed to it must discharge its duties with utmost care

6:18 and not betray Allah's covenant regarding it.

6:21 The virtue of one who assumes public office while being qualified for it,

6:25 whether he is a just ruler,

6:28 a trustworthy treasurer,

6:30 or a diligent administrator.

6:33 On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him),

6:37 that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

6:41 "You will eagerly covet leadership,

6:45 but it will become a cause of regret on the Day of Resurrection."

6:48 Narrated by al-Bukhari.

6:53 Among the benefits of the hadith:

6:55 Dissuasion from coveting positions and high offices,

6:59 especially by those who are not qualified for them.

7:03 The severe punishment for one who neglects his public trust,

7:06 fails to fulfill its rights properly,

7:09 and does not discharge it in the most complete and exemplary manner.

7:14 Eagerly coveting leadership and loving honor and status

7:17 corrupts a person's religion,

7:19 as stated in the saying of the Prophet, peace be upon him:

7:23 "Two hungry wolves let loose among a flock of sheep

7:27 do not cause more corruption to them than a man's eagerness for wealth and status causes to his religion."

7:32 This hadith is among the signs of prophethood,

7:35 for what the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, foretold has indeed come to pass

7:39 regarding people's intense covetousness for authority,

7:41 to the extent of fighting one another over it

7:43 and resorting to every conceivable means to attain it.

7:47 We ask Allah for safety and wellbeing.

7:53 Chapter: Encouraging the ruler, judge, and other officials

7:58 to appoint a righteous advisor,

8:00 and warning them against bad companions and accepting their advice.

8:04 Allah Almighty said:

8:08 “Friends on that day will be foes one to another, save those who kept their duty (to Allah).” (43:67)

8:15 On the authority of Abu Sa'id and Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with them both),

8:21 that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

8:25 "Allah never sent any prophet,

8:28 nor did any Caliph succeed to power,

8:30 except that he had two inner circles of advisors:

8:34 an inner circle that commands him to do good and urges him to do it,

8:38 and an inner circle that commands him to do evil and urges him to do it.

8:43 And the protected one is he whom Allah protects."

8:46 Narrated by al-Bukhari.

8:48 "Inner circle" (*bitanah*): meaning a group of assistants, close confidants, and allies.

8:55 "Urges him": meaning prompts and compels him.

8:59 Among the benefits of the hadith:

9:02 All matters are in the hands of Allah;

9:05 He gives sovereignty to whom He wills,

9:07 takes away sovereignty from whom He wills,

9:10 guides whom He wills,

9:12 and leaves to stray whom He wills.

9:14 A person is either a caller to Allah—

9:18 commanding good and urging people toward it,

9:21 and forbidding evil and warning against it—

9:24 or someone invited toward Satan and his party.

9:27 As for a ruler's close companions,

9:30 some are people of righteousness and goodness

9:32 who command obedience to Allah and His Messenger,

9:35 forbid evil,

9:37 and remind him of the meeting with Allah;

9:40 while others are people of corruption and evil,

9:43 who do the exact opposite.

9:45 It is the duty of the ruler

9:47 to select a group from his subjects

9:49 known for piety, knowledge,

9:51 trustworthiness, and sincere counsel,

9:53 keeping them close to himself

9:55 and consulting them in his affairs;

9:57 and to distance himself from those known for evil and corruption,

10:01 remaining fully on guard against them.

10:04 Whoever seeks illumination from Allah's light

10:07 and implements Allah's law,

10:09 Allah grants him success through His grace,

10:11 protects him from the evil of his own soul,

10:14 and removes from him the plots of Satan and his allies.

10:18 On the authority of 'A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her), who said:

10:23 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

10:27 "When Allah intends good for a ruler,

10:30 He grants him a truthful advisor:

10:33 if he forgets, the advisor reminds him,

10:35 and if he remembers, the advisor assists him.

10:37 But when Allah intends otherwise for him,

10:40 He assigns him a bad advisor:

10:43 if he forgets, the advisor does not remind him,

10:45 and if he remembers, the advisor does not assist him."

10:47 Narrated by Abu Dawud.

10:50 "Advisor" (*wazir*): refers to the supportive companion

10:55 whose counsel and management the ruler relies upon,

10:59 and who carries part of his heavy burdens.

11:02 "Truthful": meaning a sincere and trustworthy advisor.

11:05 "If he forgets":

11:08 Meaning, if he neglects any of the duties that must be performed

11:11 to secure the welfare of the Ummah.

11:14 "Intends otherwise for him":

11:16 Meaning, He intends evil for him,

11:18 though it is not explicitly mentioned

11:20 so as to strongly encourage the avoidance of evil.

11:23 Among the benefits of the hadith:

11:27 The presence of a righteous group around the ruler,

11:30 guiding him to good and assisting him in it,

11:33 is evidence of Allah Almighty's grant of success to him

11:36 and His pleasure with him;

11:38 and in that there is aid toward establishing justice.

11:41 A warning to rulers against evil inner circles,

11:45 for they are a cause of corruption and tyranny.

11:49 The prescribed nature of taking a truthful advisor.

11:52 Chapter: Prohibition of appointing to leadership, judgeship,

11:59 and other positions of authority

12:01 anyone who asks for it or covets it,

12:04 even by subtle allusion.

12:06 On the authority of Abu Musa al-Ash'ari (may Allah be pleased with him),

12:11 who said:

12:12 I entered upon the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him,

12:15 together with two men from my cousins.

12:18 One of them said,

12:20 "O Messenger of Allah,

12:22 appoint us as governors over some of what Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, has entrusted to you."

12:27 The other man said something similar.

12:30 Thereupon he said:

12:31 "By Allah, we do not appoint to this position anyone who asks for it,

12:36 "or anyone who eagerly seeks it."

12:38 It is agreed upon (by al-Bukhari and Muslim).

12:40 "From my cousins,"

12:43 meaning from the Ash'arites.

12:45 "Appoint us,"

12:47 meaning make us leaders or governors

12:49 over "this matter,"

12:51 meaning the leadership of the Muslims.

12:53 "Eagerly seeks it,"

12:56 meaning covets it,

12:57 shows an intense desire for it,

12:59 and demonstrates that either implicitly or explicitly.

13:03 Among the benefits derived from the hadith:

13:06 It is not permissible for the caliph

13:09 to appoint anyone to a post who asks for it or eagerly seeks it,

13:13 because that usually indicates he wants it

13:16 for his own benefit or the benefit of his clan,

13:19 rather than for the welfare of the Ummah.

13:23 The caliph ought

13:25 to choose competent and God-fearing individuals

13:27 to appoint over public offices,

13:30 so that they may aid him in upholding justice,

13:33 implementing the law of Allah within the Ummah,

13:36 and spreading peace and security among the people.

Riyadh Al-Salehin | Episode (91) | Chapter on the prohibition of asking for leadership

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