Gardens of the Righteous — Page 137
RIYADH AS-SALIHIN 81. . On Prohibition of Asking for Office. Allah, the Exalted, has said: 237. We bestow the home of the hereafter on those who desire not self-aggrandisement in the earth, nor corruption; and the end is for the righteous (28. 84). 137 677. Abdur Rahman ibn Samurah relates that the Holy Prophet said to him: Do not ask for public office. If you are given it without asking you will be helped in discharging its responsibilities, but if you are given it on asking for it you will be its captive. If you vow to do a thing and then find a better alternative adopt the latter and expiate your vow (Bokhari and Muslim). 678. Abu Dharr relates that the Holy Prophet said to him: Abu Dharr, I find you are weak and I desire for you what I desire for myself. Do not seek authority even over two people, nor take up the guardianship of an orphan's property (Muslim). 679. Abu Dharr relates: I said to the Holy Prophet: Will you not appoint me to public office? He patted me on the shoulder and said: Abu. Dharr, you are weak and office is a trust and is a source of limitation and remorse on the Day of Judgment except for him who takes it up with a full sense of responsibility and duly discharges its obligations (Muslim). 680. Abu Hurairah relates that the Holy Prophet said: You will be greedy after public office, but remember that it will be a source of humiliation on the Day of Judgment (Bokhari). 82. . On Selecting Good Advisors. Allah, the Exalted, has said: 238. Friends on that day will be enemies of each other, except the righteous (43. 68). 681. Abu Sa'id Khudri and Abu Hurairah relate that the Holy Prophet said: Whenever Allah raises a Prophet or appoints a vicegerent he has two counsellors, one counsels him to good and incites him to it and the other counsels him to evil and incites him to it. He alone escapes evil who is safeguarded by Allah (Bokhari). 682. Ayesha relates that the Holy Prophet said: When Allah desires good for a ruler He furnishes him with a sincere counsellor who reminds him when he forgets and assists him if he remembers; and when He desires for him something other than good He furnishes him with an evil counsellor who does not remind him if he forgets and does not assist him if he remembers (Abu Daud).