39/39. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 4211 — The Regret of Seeking Authority
It is disliked to be eager for positions of Authority
Seeking Authority Can End in Regret and Loss
Sunan an-Nasai : 4211
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 4211
أَخْبَرَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ آدَمَ بْنِ سُلَيْمَانَ، عَنِ ابْنِ الْمُبَارَكِ، عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي ذِئْبٍ، عَنْ سَعِيدٍ الْمَقْبُرِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " إِنَّكُمْ سَتَحْرِصُونَ عَلَى الإِمَارَةِ وَإِنَّهَا سَتَكُونُ نَدَامَةً وَحَسْرَةً فَنِعْمَتِ الْمُرْضِعَةُ وَبِئْسَتِ الْفَاطِمَةُ " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
The Prophet said: "You will become keen for positions of authority, but that will become a regret and loss. What a good life they will live, but how hard it will be for them when they die."
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 4211In-book reference : Book 39, Hadith 63English translation : Vol. 5, Book 39, Hadith 4216
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 4211
This hadith about seeking authority warns against becoming eager for positions of leadership. The Prophet said that people would become keen for authority, but that it would become regret and loss. He then used the image of a nursing relationship: its beginning may seem pleasant, while its ending is hard. The wording points to the contrast between the attraction of office and the burden that appears when it comes to an end, especially at death. The hadith does not praise ambition for power. It asks the listener to look beyond the immediate benefits and consider the final outcome. A position may appear comfortable or desirable during life, yet the responsibility attached to it can leave sorrow. Authority should therefore not be chased merely for its temporary advantages.
What we learn from this hadith
- People may become strongly attracted to positions of authority.
- Leadership can become a source of regret and loss.
- The pleasant side of office should not hide its final burden.
- A person should consider the outcome before seeking power.
