The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to me: 'Abdul al-Rahman b. Samurah, do not ask for the position of commander, for if you are given it after asking you will be left to discharge it yourself, but if you are given it without asking you will be helped to discharge it.
Reported by Abu Dawud (No. 2929, 3277, 3278), Al-Bukhari (No. 6622, 6722, 7146, 7147), Muslim (No. 1652a, 1652b, 1652c, 1652d), At-Tirmidhi (No. 1529), An-Nasa’i (No. 3783, 3784, 3789, 3790, 3791, 5384), Ahmad (No. 19702, 19704, 19707, 19709, 19711, 19712) and Ad-Darimi (No. 2241).
‘Abdur-Rahmān ibn Samurah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to him: "O ‘Abdur-Rahmān ibn Samurah, do not ask for a position of authority, for if you were granted such authority upon your request, you would be left…
-عن أبى موسى الأشعري رضي الله عنه قال: دخلت على النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم أنا ورجلان من بني عمي، فقال أحدهما: يا رسول الله أمرنا على بعض ما ولاك الله، عز وجل، وقال الآخر مثل ذلك، فقال: “إنا والله لا نولى هذا العمل…
Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I said: "O Messenger of Allah, will you not appoint me to (an official position)?" He patted me on my shoulder with his hand and said: "O Abu Dharr, you are weak and it is a trust. It will be a cause of disgrace and remorse on the Day of…