[Explanation]

Al-Ḥāfiẓ al-Nawawī (d. 676 AH), in the chapter entitled “The Prohibition of Seeking Leadership,” cites the report transmitted from Abū Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet ﷺ said to him: “You are a man of limited strength, and I love for you what I love for myself; therefore, never put yourself in command over even two people, and do not take charge of an orphan’s property.” These are four separate statements the Messenger ﷺ clarified for Abū Dharr.

First, he said to him, “You are a man of limited strength.” When such frankness is delivered to someone directly, it is undoubtedly heavy on the soul; being told, “You are weak,” can leave an impact. Yet honesty requires this degree of candour: to tell a person exactly what he is—if strong, then strong; if weak, then weak. That is genuine advice. Hence the Prophet ﷺ declared, “You are a man of limited strength.” There is no blame on someone who says to another, by way of counsel rather than insult or mockery, “You have such-and-such a shortcoming.”

Second, he said, “And I love for you what I love for myself.” This showcases the Prophet’s ﷺ noble character, for since the first remark contained a measure of hurt, he followed it with the reassurance, “I love for you what I love for myself.” In other words, “I said this only because I truly wish for you what I wish for myself.”