Hurayrah that he said: “Whoever assumes judicial office has been slaughtered without a knife.” Abū Qilābah said: “A learned judge is like someone swimming in the sea: how long can he hope to swim before he drowns?” Salmān wrote to Abū al-Dardā’: “I have heard that you have been made a physician who treats people. If you bring about a cure, how fortunate you are! But if you are merely attempting to practise medicine, beware lest you kill someone and enter the Fire.” Thereafter, whenever Abū al-Dardā’ judged between two people and they turned to leave, he would look at them and say: “Come back to me and tell me your case again—by Allah, I am only attempting to practise medicine.”
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Avoiding judicial office is therefore obligatory, and seeking safety from it is imperative, especially in these times. It is reported that ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb, may Allah be pleased with him, summoned a man to appoint him to office, but he refused. ‘Umar kept pressing him to agree, but he continued to refuse, until he said: “I ask you by Allah, Commander of the Faithful: which course do you know to be better for me?” He replied: “Not to take office.” The man said: “Then excuse me.” He replied: “I have done so.” Mālik said: “‘Umar ibn Husayn told me: ‘Of all the judges I have known who were appointed in Medina, I have seen the distress of judicial office and aversion to it on their faces, except for two judges,’ whom he named.”
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Seeking judicial office and eagerly pursuing it will bring anguish and regret on the Day of Resurrection. It is reported that the Prophet, blessings and peace be upon him, said: “You will eagerly pursue authority, but it will bring anguish and regret on the Day of Resurrection. What an excellent wet nurse it is, and what a wretched weaner! Whoever seeks judicial office, desires it, and eagerly pursues it will be left to bear it unaided, and it is feared that it will bring about his ruin. But whoever does not ask for it and is tried with it, while averse to it and fearful for himself in undertaking it, will receive Allah’s help in it.” It is reported that the Prophet, blessings and peace be upon him, said: “Whoever seeks judicial office or seeks help in obtaining it will be left to bear it unaided; but whoever neither seeks it nor seeks help in obtaining it,