49/5. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 5385 — The Regret of Seeking Authority
Prohibition of Asking for Governorship
Hadith About Governorship Becoming Regret on the Day of Resurrection
Sunan an-Nasai : 5385
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 5385
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ آدَمَ بْنِ سُلَيْمَانَ، عَنِ ابْنِ الْمُبَارَكِ، عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي ذِئْبٍ، عَنِ الْمَقْبُرِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " إِنَّكُمْ سَتَحْرِصُونَ عَلَى الإِمَارَةِ وَإِنَّهَا سَتَكُونُ نَدَامَةً وَحَسْرَةً يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فَنِعْمَتِ الْمُرْضِعَةُ وَبِئْسَتِ الْفَاطِمَةُ ".
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
The Prophet [SAW] said: "You will be keen for governorship but it will be regret and loss on the Day of Resurrection. What a good position it is when they are alive, but how miserable their state when they die (and leave it behind)."
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 5385In-book reference : Book 49, Hadith 7English translation : Vol. 6, Book 49, Hadith 5387
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 5385
This hadith about governorship warns people who are eager for authority. The Prophet [SAW] said that people will be keen for governorship, but it will be regret and loss on the Day of Resurrection. He then described it with a striking image: it may seem good while people are alive, but it becomes miserable when they die and leave it behind. The hadith is not praising public office as a simple honor. It shows that authority can look pleasant in this life but carry a heavy outcome later. The core message is to fear Allah in responsibility and not desire leadership for its comfort, status, or short-term benefit.
What we learn from this hadith
- Keenness for governorship is warned against in the text.
- Authority may look attractive in life but lead to regret after death.
- Leadership should be approached with fear of accountability, not love of status.
