‘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.”
‘Abdallah b. ‘Amr reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If anyone swears allegiance to an imam, giving him his hand in ratification and sincere agreement in his heart, he must obey him if he can. Then if another comes and contends with him, cut off that other one’s head.”
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.
He told that he heard God’s Messenger say, “If anyone comes to you when you are united under one man desiring to split you or cause parties in your community, kill him.”
