Chapter: The prohibition of asking for leadership and the preference for relinquishing positions of authority when one is not specifically assigned to them or when no need requires them.

Allah the Exalted says, “That is the Home of the Hereafter which We grant to those who desire neither exaltation on earth nor corruption; the good end belongs to the God-fearing.” (Qur’an 28:83)

674 – Abu Saʿid ʿAbd al-Rahman ibn Samurah—may Allah be pleased with him—narrated: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said to me, “O ʿAbd al-Rahman ibn Samurah, do not ask for authority. If it is granted to you without your requesting it, you will be aided in carrying it out; but if it is granted to you because you asked for it, you will be left to yourself. And should you swear an oath and then see that something else is better, do what is better and make expiation for your oath.” Agreed upon.

[Commentary]
The author—may Allah have mercy on him—states in his book Riyad al-Salihin, “Chapter on the prohibition of seeking leadership and on avoiding offices except when need or benefit dictates.” The term imarah (leadership) means assuming command over people and exercising authority over them; it is a major form of leadership