For this reason a person whom Allah has guided aright should not solicit positions. If he is promoted without having asked, that is preferable, and he may then accept. But if he seeks the post and persists in doing so, he risks falling under the warning of this ḥadīth. The path of piety and caution is not to request any promotion, deputation, or similar office: if it is granted to you, take it; if it is withheld, the soundest, safest, and most God-fearing course is to refrain from demanding it. The entire world is of little worth, and if Allah provides you with sufficient sustenance free of temptation, that is better than great wealth that would lead you astray—may Allah grant us safety.

Therefore, do not ask for authority, for if you receive it because you sought it you will be left to your own devices, whereas if it is given to you without your asking you will be aided in it.

Likewise, if you swear an oath and later see that something else is better, then offer expiation for your oath and do what is better: that is, if you swear not to do a certain act but subsequently realise that it is good to do it, expiate for your oath and carry it out; and if you swear to perform an act but then recognise that it is better to leave it, abandon it and expiate for your oath.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) instructed him thus because when a person holds authority and swears an oath, the pride that accompanies leadership may prompt him to cling to his oath; nevertheless, even if he is an amīr, whenever he swears and sees that the better course lies in breaking it, he should