20/5. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 1529 — Do Not Ask for Leadership
What Has Been Related About Whoever Takes An Oath And Then Sees That Something Else Is Better Than It
Hadith About Asking for Leadership and Oath Atonement
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 1529
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 1529
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الأَعْلَى الصَّنْعَانِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا الْمُعْتَمِرُ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ، عَنْ يُونُسَ، هُوَ ابْنُ عُبَيْدٍ حَدَّثَنَا الْحَسَنُ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ سَمُرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " يَا عَبْدَ الرَّحْمَنِ لاَ تَسْأَلِ الإِمَارَةَ فَإِنَّكَ إِنْ أَتَتْكَ عَنْ مَسْأَلَةٍ وُكِلْتَ إِلَيْهَا وَإِنْ أَتَتْكَ عَنْ غَيْرِ مَسْأَلَةٍ أُعِنْتَ عَلَيْهَا وَإِذَا حَلَفْتَ عَلَى يَمِينٍ فَرَأَيْتَ غَيْرَهَا خَيْرًا مِنْهَا فَائْتِ الَّذِي هُوَ خَيْرٌ وَلْتُكَفِّرْ عَنْ يَمِينِكَ " . وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ عَلِيٍّ وَجَابِرٍ وَعَدِيِّ بْنِ حَاتِمٍ وَأَبِي الدَّرْدَاءِ وَأَنَسٍ وَعَائِشَةَ وَعَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو وَأَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ وَأُمِّ سَلَمَةَ وَأَبِي مُوسَى . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى حَدِيثُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ سَمُرَةَ حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ .
'Abdur-Rahman bin Samurah Narrated from:
The Messenger Of Allah (ﷺ) Said: "O 'Abdur-Rahman! Do Not Ask For A Position Of Leadership, For If You Receive It Due To Asking, You Will Be Left Alone With It, And If You Receive It Without Asking, Then You Will Be Aided In It. And If You Take An Oath And You See That Something Else Is Better Than It, Then Do What Is Better, And Make An Atonement For Your Oath."
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1529In-book reference : Book 20, Hadith 7English translation : Vol. 3, Book 18, Hadith 1529
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 1529
This hadith about asking for leadership has two clear teachings in one narration. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم addressed Abdur-Rahman bin Samurah and told him not to ask for a position of leadership. If it comes because of asking, he will be left alone with it. If it comes without asking, he will be aided in it. The hadith then moves to oaths. If a person swears an oath and later sees that another action is better, he should do what is better and make atonement for the oath. The message is practical: do not chase authority for yourself, and do not stay stuck in an oath when a better, lawful action becomes clear. The hadith keeps both leadership and oaths tied to responsibility.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم told Abdur-Rahman not to ask for leadership.
- Leadership gained by asking is described as a heavy burden.
- If a better action appears after an oath, the better action should be done.
- The hadith mentions making atonement for the oath.
