Abu Dharr told that he asked God’s Messenger to make him a governor, but he struck him on his shoulder with his hand and said, “You are weak, Abu Dharr, and it is a trust which will be a cause of shame and regret on the day of resurrection except for him who undertakes it as it ought to be undertaken and fulfils his duty in it.” In a version he said to him, “I see that you are weak, Abu Dharr, and I wish for you what I wish for myself. Do not accept rule over two people and do not become guardian of an orphan’s property.”
Abu Huraira reported the Prophet as saying, “You will be eager for the office of commander, but it will become a cause of regret on the day of resurrection. It is a good suckler but an evil weaner.”*
Bukhari transmitted it.
*In the beginning it causes pleasure, but later such pleasures are cut off. The idea is that one gladly undertakes high office, but later finds it to be a cause of grief.
Two of my cousins on my father’s side and I went in to see the Prophet and one of them said, “Messenger of God, put us in command of part of what God has put in your charge,” the other also saying the same. He replied, “I swear by God that I will not put in charge, of this work anyone who asks for it, or anyone who is eager for it.” In a version he said, “We will not employ in our work one who wants it.”
‘Abd ar-Rahman b. Samura told that God’s Messenger said to him, “Do not ask for the position of commander, for if you are given it after asking you will be left to discharge it yourself; but if you are given it without asking you will be helped to discharge it.”
