49/5. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 5384 — Do Not Ask for Governorship
Prohibition of Asking for Governorship
Hadith About Governorship: Do Not Ask for Leadership
Sunan an-Nasai : 5384
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 5384
أَخْبَرَنَا مُجَاهِدُ بْنُ مُوسَى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ، عَنْ يُونُسَ، عَنِ الْحَسَنِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ سَمُرَةَ، ح وَأَنْبَأَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ عَلِيٍّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ عَوْنٍ، عَنِ الْحَسَنِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ سَمُرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " لاَ تَسْأَلِ الإِمَارَةَ فَإِنَّكَ إِنْ أُعْطِيتَهَا عَنْ مَسْأَلَةٍ وُكِلْتَ إِلَيْهَا وَإِنْ أُعْطِيتَهَا عَنْ غَيْرِ مَسْأَلَةٍ أُعِنْتَ عَلَيْهَا ".
'Abdur-Rahman bin Samurah Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: 'Do not ask for governorship. For if it is given to you because of asking, you will be left to your own devices, but if it is given to you without asking, you will be helped (by Allah).'
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 5384In-book reference : Book 49, Hadith 6English translation : Vol. 6, Book 49, Hadith 5386
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 5384
This hadith about governorship gives a clear rule for anyone who wants leadership. The Prophet [SAW] told Abdur-Rahman bin Samurah not to ask for governorship. He explained why: if it is given because of asking, the person will be left to his own devices. If it is given without asking, he will be helped by Allah. The hadith does not praise chasing authority. It shows that leadership is a heavy trust. A person may like the title, but the weight of the role is serious. The safest attitude is humility. If responsibility comes without seeking it, the person should handle it with dependence on Allah and not self-confidence alone.
What we learn from this hadith
- Asking for governorship is directly forbidden in this hadith.
- A post gained through asking is linked with being left to oneself.
- A post given without asking is linked with Allah's help.
