Explanation of the Book of Fitnahs and Rulings-06a

The reciter: Ahmad ibn Yunus narrated to us, Ibn Abi Dhi'b narrated to us from Sa'id al-Maqburi from Abu Hurayrah from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) who said: And Muhammad ibn Bashshar said: Abdullah ibn Hamran narrated to us, al-Hasan ibn Jafar narrated to us from Sa'id al-Maqburi from 'Umar ibn al-Hakam from Abu Hurayrah, his statement.

The Shaykh : In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
This is a warning against seeking authority and being eager for it, but as the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Then he said: meaning that it is like a woman who nurses but weans poorly, because its end is regret and sorrow. We ask Allah for safety. The apparent meaning of the hadith is general regarding authority, even in easy matters like authority in travel. It is not permissible for a person to be eager for it. If he is afflicted with it, let him seek help from Allah and not say, "Make someone else [the leader]," as some people do now. You find them trying to escape being a leader while knowing that they are the most deserving to be a leader. This is a mistake. If your companions say to you, "You are our leader, and you are qualified for it," seek help from Allah and accept it. But to be eager for it and look forward to it, this is not permissible for you.