49/4. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 5383 — Be Patient During Selfish Leadership
Not Appointing One Who is Eager to be a Judge
Hadith About Patience When Facing Selfishness in Leadership
Sunan an-Nasai : 5383
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 5383
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الأَعْلَى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدٌ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَنَسًا، يُحَدِّثُ عَنْ أُسَيْدِ بْنِ حُضَيْرٍ، أَنَّ رَجُلاً، مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ جَاءَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ أَلاَ تَسْتَعْمِلْنِي كَمَا اسْتَعْمَلْتَ فُلاَنًا قَالَ " إِنَّكُمْ سَتَلْقَوْنَ بَعْدِي أَثَرَةً فَاصْبِرُوا حَتَّى تَلْقَوْنِي عَلَى الْحَوْضِ ".
Usaid bin Hudair Narrated from:
A man from among the Ansar came to the Messenger of Allah [SAW] and said: "Will you not appoint me as you appointed so-and-so?" He said: "You will encounter selfishness after I am gone, so be patient until you meet me at the cistern (Al-Hawd)."
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 5383In-book reference : Book 49, Hadith 5English translation : Vol. 6, Book 49, Hadith 5385
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 5383
This hadith about patience in leadership records a short but deep answer. A man from the Ansar asked the Prophet [SAW] why he was not appointed like another person. The Prophet [SAW] did not promise him a post. Instead, he told him that they would meet selfishness after him, and he told them to be patient until they meet him at the cistern, Al-Hawd. The teaching is not about ignoring wrong. It is about how a believer should carry himself when he feels overlooked or faces unfair treatment. The hadith points to patience, self-control, and keeping faith steady when public life becomes difficult after the Prophet [SAW].
What we learn from this hadith
- Feeling overlooked should not lead a person to lose patience.
- The Prophet [SAW] warned that selfishness would be faced after him.
- Patience is directly advised until meeting the Prophet [SAW] at Al-Hawd.
