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Text and translation
English translation
1529. 'Abdur-Raḥmān bin Samurah narrated that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said: "O 'Abdur-Raḥmān! 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." (Ṣaḥīḥ)
There are narrations on this topic from ['Alī, Jābir], 'Adī bin Hātim, Abū Ad-Dardā', Anas, 'Aishah, 'Abdullāh bin 'Amr, Abū Hurairah, Umm Salamah, and Abū Mūsā.
[Abū 'Eisā said:] The Ḥadīth of 'Abdur-Raḥmān bin Samurah is a Ḥasan Ṣaḥīḥ Ḥadīth.
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Commentary
1. Whoever took an oath to do something and later found that something else is better, then it is advisable to do the better thing and make expiation for his oath.
2. Islam dislikes seeking positions of authority. He who acquires a position through some influence or links and recommendations; he loses guidance from Allāh, and becomes the slave of his base self. But if a post of authority and power is offered by the government it can be accepted, and Allāh's help and guidance will lead the person to make the right decisions.
