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Meaning Of Hadith To Not Desire Public Office
Assalamo-Alaikum, I need guidance in respect of the hadith quoted below. The specific questions are:
1. Is this a hadith which is authentic? It mentions that it is ‘za-eef’?
2. What does the term “he will be left to his own devices” mean in the context of the hadith?
3. Is only desiring the office of judge also looked down upon based on the concluding part of the hadith which speaks positively for those who do not even desire it?
4. How can one not desire it and then seek Allah’s guidance/help (and not human help) in achieving it? Desire is a pre-requisite of seeking help from Allah.
5. How does this hadith effect those who sit for exams (especially for lower judiciary in Pakistan)?
Thank you.
Narrated Anas ibn Malik:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: If anyone desires the office of Judge and seeks help for it, he will be left to his own devices; if anyone does not desire it, nor does he seek help for it, Allah will send down an angel who will direct him aright.
Waki’ said: (This tradition has also been transmitted) by Isra’il, from ‘Abd al-A’la, from Bilal bin Abi Musa, from Anas, from the Prophet (ﷺ).
Abu ‘Awanah said: from ‘Abd al-A’la, from Bilal bin Mirdas al-Fazari, from Khaithamah al-Basri from Anas.
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ كَثِيرٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا إِسْرَائِيلُ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الأَعْلَى، عَنْ بِلاَلٍ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ “ مَنْ طَلَبَ الْقَضَاءَ وَاسْتَعَانَ عَلَيْهِ وُكِلَ إِلَيْهِ وَمَنْ لَمْ يَطْلُبْهُ وَلَمْ يَسْتَعِنْ عَلَيْهِ أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ مَلَكًا يُسَدِّدُهُ ” . وَقَالَ وَكِيعٌ عَنْ إِسْرَائِيلَ عَنْ عَبْدِ الأَعْلَى عَنْ بِلاَلِ بْنِ أَبِي مُوسَى عَنْ أَنَسٍ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم . وَقَالَ أَبُو عَوَانَةَ عَنْ عَبْدِ الأَعْلَى عَنْ بِلاَلِ بْنِ مِرْدَاسٍ الْفَزَارِيِّ عَنْ خَيْثَمَةَ الْبَصْرِيِّ عَنْ أَنَسٍ .
Grade: Da’if (Al-Albani) ضعيف (الألباني) حكم :
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 3578
In-book reference : Book 25, Hadith 8
English translation : Book 24, Hadith 3571
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Meaning Of Hadith To Not Desire Public Office
updated 1 year, 9 months ago
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There are other similar Ahadith as well which are graded Sahih.
These Ahadith, when seen in the light of Quran (4:58), can be understood properly. These Ahadith are referring to the fact that one shouldn’t be greedy for a position of power. This doesn’t mean that if one honestly believes that he or she is competent for a job then he is barred by religion to apply for that position of power.
Please see for details:
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For short comments of Ghamidi Sahab, please refer to the video below from 30:00 to 34:46
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Thank you. Kind regards.
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