Is this hadith authentic?

This hadith is graded Sahih. Sahih hadiths are considered the most authentic grade in hadith classification.

Which collection is this hadith from?

This hadith is from Sahih al-Bukhari, which contains 7,277 hadiths across 97 books. It is hadith number 6880 in the Book of Judgments (Ahkaam).

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#6879

#6880

Sahih al-Bukhari

#6881

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Sahih al-Bukhari #6880

Q: What is Sahih al-Bukhari 6880 about?

This hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari (Book of Judgments (Ahkaam)), narrated by Narrated Abu Musa:, states: "Two men from my tribe and I entered upon the Prophet. One of the two men said to the Prophet, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Appoint me as a governor," and so did the second. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "We do…"

Judgments (Ahkaam)

Sahih

The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْعَلاَءِ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أُسَامَةَ، عَنْ بُرَيْدٍ، عَنْ أَبِي بُرْدَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي مُوسَى ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ دَخَلْتُ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَا وَرَجُلاَنِ مِنْ قَوْمِي فَقَالَ أَحَدُ الرَّجُلَيْنِ أَمِّرْنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ‏.‏ وَقَالَ الآخَرُ مِثْلَهُ‏.‏ فَقَالَ ‏ "‏ إِنَّا لاَ نُوَلِّي هَذَا مَنْ سَأَلَهُ، وَلاَ مَنْ حَرَصَ عَلَيْهِ ‏"‏‏.‏

Two men from my tribe and I entered upon the Prophet. One of the two men said to the Prophet, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Appoint me as a governor," and so did the second. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "We do not assign the authority of ruling to those who ask for it, nor to those who are keen to have it."

Narrated by Narrated Abu Musa:

Context

In this narration, two men approached the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ asking for leadership roles. The Prophet ﷺ responded that authority should not be sought by those who desire it. This highlights the principle that true leadership is a responsibility rather than a privilege, and that those who seek power for personal gain may not be fit to lead.

Modern Application

This principle remains relevant today, reminding us that leadership should be approached with humility and a sense of duty. Individuals in positions of authority should prioritize the welfare of those they lead over personal ambitions, fostering a culture of service rather than entitlement.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Leadership and Authority and Prophetic Warning because it warns against the ambition for power and emphasizes the moral responsibilities of leaders.

Leadership and Authority Prophetic Warning

Related Ayahs

سُورَةُ البَقَرَةِ

Al-Baqara (The Cow)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

وَقَالَ لَهُمْ نَبِيُّهُمْ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَدْ بَعَثَ لَكُمْ طَالُوتَ مَلِكًۭا ۚ قَالُوٓا۟ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لَهُ ٱلْمُلْكُ عَلَيْنَا وَنَحْنُ أَحَقُّ بِٱلْمُلْكِ مِنْهُ وَلَمْ يُؤْتَ سَعَةًۭ مِّنَ ٱلْمَالِ ۚ قَالَ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱصْطَفَىٰهُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَزَادَهُۥ بَسْطَةًۭ فِى ٱلْعِلْمِ وَٱلْجِسْمِ ۖ وَٱللَّهُ يُؤْتِى مُلْكَهُۥ مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٌۭ

And their prophet said to them, "Indeed, Allah has sent to you Saul as a king." They said, "How can he have kingship over us while we are more worthy of kingship than him and he has not been given any measure of wealth?" He said, "Indeed, Allah has chosen him over you and has increased him abundantly in knowledge and stature. And Allah gives His sovereignty to whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing [in favor] and Knowing."

سُورَةُ المَائـِدَةِ

Al-Maaida (The Table)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

2 ayahs

قَالَ رَجُلَانِ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَخَافُونَ أَنْعَمَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمَا ٱدْخُلُوا۟ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْبَابَ فَإِذَا دَخَلْتُمُوهُ فَإِنَّكُمْ غَٰلِبُونَ ۚ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَتَوَكَّلُوٓا۟ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

Said two men from those who feared [to disobey] upon whom Allah had bestowed favor, "Enter upon them through the gate, for when you have entered it, you will be predominant. And upon Allah rely, if you should be believers."

قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّى لَآ أَمْلِكُ إِلَّا نَفْسِى وَأَخِى ۖ فَٱفْرُقْ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْفَٰسِقِينَ

[Moses] said, "My Lord, indeed I do not possess except myself and my brother, so part us from the defiantly disobedient people."

سُورَةُ الأَحۡزَابِ

Al-Ahzaab (The Clans)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

وَإِذْ قَالَت طَّآئِفَةٌۭ مِّنْهُمْ يَٰٓأَهْلَ يَثْرِبَ لَا مُقَامَ لَكُمْ فَٱرْجِعُوا۟ ۚ وَيَسْتَـْٔذِنُ فَرِيقٌۭ مِّنْهُمُ ٱلنَّبِىَّ يَقُولُونَ إِنَّ بُيُوتَنَا عَوْرَةٌۭ وَمَا هِىَ بِعَوْرَةٍ ۖ إِن يُرِيدُونَ إِلَّا فِرَارًۭا

And when a faction of them said, "O people of Yathrib, there is no stability for you [here], so return [home]." And a party of them asked permission of the Prophet, saying, "Indeed, our houses are unprotected," while they were not exposed. They did not intend except to flee.

سُورَةُ يُوسُفَ

Yusuf (Joseph)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

قَالَ مَعَاذَ ٱللَّهِ أَن نَّأْخُذَ إِلَّا مَن وَجَدْنَا مَتَٰعَنَا عِندَهُۥٓ إِنَّآ إِذًۭا لَّظَٰلِمُونَ

He said, "[I seek] the refuge of Allah [to prevent] that we take except him with whom we found our possession. Indeed, we would then be unjust."

Common Words

115 total95 unique9 repeated

إن5x

ٱلله5x

من4x

قال4x

إلا3x

لكم2x

وٱلله2x

منهم2x

لا2x

وقال1x

لهم1x

نبيهم1x

قد1x

بعث1x

طالوت1x

ملكا1x

قالوا1x

أنى1x

يكون1x

له1x

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About Sahih al-Bukhari

This hadith is #6880 from Sahih al-Bukhari, in the Book of Judgments (Ahkaam). It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated Abu Musa:.

Browse all Sahih al-Bukhari All Hadith Collections

Sahih al-Bukhari #6880

Context

Modern Application

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Common Words

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About This Hadith