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Riyad as-Salihin 673 (Book) #39058
The Importance of Not Asking for Authority

SUMMARY: This hadith is about the importance of not asking for positions of authority and to expiate for any oaths taken if a better alternative is found.

'Abdur-Rahman bin Samurah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah 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 ، ‏"‏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)‏‏)‏

TOPICS
authority  *  oath  *  expiation

QUICK LESSONS:
Do not ask for position of authority; Adopt better alternatives; Expiate your oaths

EXPLANATIONS:
This hadith, narrated by 'Abdur-Rahman bin Samurah, speaks about the importance of not asking for positions of authority. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ warned against this because if one is granted such a position without asking, they will be helped in discharging its responsibilities; however, if it was given as a result of their request, they will be left alone as its captive. Additionally, the Prophet ﷺ also taught that if one takes an oath to do something and then finds a better alternative later on, they should adopt the latter and expiate for their oath. This hadith teaches us that we should not seek out positions or power but rather accept them humbly when offered to us. It also reminds us that we must always strive to do what is best even if it means going back on our word or promises.

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