49/4. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 5382 — Do Not Appoint Those Who Ask
Not Appointing One Who is Eager to be a Judge
Hadith About Asking for Position and Responsible Appointments
Sunan an-Nasai : 5382
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 5382
أَخْبَرَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ مَنْصُورٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عُمَرُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ، عَنْ أَبِي عُمَيْسٍ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ أَبِي بُرْدَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي مُوسَى، قَالَ أَتَانِي نَاسٌ مِنَ الأَشْعَرِيِّينَ فَقَالُوا اذْهَبْ مَعَنَا إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَإِنَّ لَنَا حَاجَةً. فَذَهَبْتُ مَعَهُمْ فَقَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ اسْتَعِنْ بِنَا فِي عَمَلِكَ. قَالَ أَبُو مُوسَى فَاعْتَذَرْتُ مِمَّا قَالُوا وَأَخْبَرْتُ أَنِّي لاَ أَدْرِي مَا حَاجَتُهُمْ فَصَدَّقَنِي وَعَذَرَنِي. فَقَالَ " إِنَّا لاَ نَسْتَعِينُ فِي عَمَلِنَا بِمَنْ سَأَلَنَا ".
Abu Musa Narrated from:
Some people from among the Ash'aris came to me and said: 'Go with us to the Messenger of Allah [SAW], for we have something to ask him.' So I went with them, and they said: 'O Messenger of Allah, use us to do your work.'" Abu Musa said: "I apologized for what they said, and I told him that I did not know what they were going to ask. He believed me and excused me, and said: 'We do not appoint for our work anyone who asks for that.'"
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 5382In-book reference : Book 49, Hadith 4English translation : Vol. 6, Book 49, Hadith 5384
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 5382
This hadith about asking for position shows a strong warning about seeking official work. Some people from the Ash'aris came with Abu Musa and asked the Prophet [SAW] to use them in his work. Abu Musa explained that he did not know what they planned to ask, and the Prophet [SAW] believed and excused him. Then he said that they do not appoint for their work anyone who asks for it. The message is direct. Public duty is not meant to be chased for status or control. A person who seeks a post may not be the right choice for it. The hadith teaches care, humility, and caution in choosing people for responsibility.
What we learn from this hadith
- Seeking appointment for official work is discouraged in this text.
- Abu Musa was excused when he truthfully explained he did not know their request.
- Responsibility should be treated as a trust, not as a prize to chase.
