Seeking Leadership

2. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Ahmad ibn Sa’id ibn Janah from his brother, Abu ‘Amir from a man from Abu ‘Abd Allah عليه السلام who has said the following: "Whoever seeks leadership is destroyed.”

3. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father from ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Mughirah from ‘Abd Allah ibn Muskan who has said the following: “I heard Abu ‘Abdillah عليه السلام saying, ‘Beware of these leaders who pretend to be leaders. I swear by Allah, shoes (people) have never marched behind a man, but that he destroys (them) and (he) is destroyed.”

4. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Muhammad ibn Isma’il ibn Bazi’ and others in a marfu’ manner who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah عليه السلام has said, ‘Condemned is one who seeks leadership, condemned is one who intends to become a leader and condemned is one who speaks to himself of leadership.’”

5. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Hassan ibn Ayyub from abu ‘Aqilah al-Sayrafi who has said that Karram narrated to us from abu Hamza al-Thumali who has said the following: “Once Abu ‘Abdillah عليه السلام said to me, ‘Beware of leadership and beware of marching behind men (following them).’ I (the narrator) asked, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, I understand what leadership is. However, as far as walking behind men is concerned, I must acknowledge that two thirds of what I know are but from my walking behind and following men.’ The Imam said to me, ‘That is not the way you think. Beware of supporting a man who does not have any (Divine) Authority but you acknowledge whatever he has said.’”

6. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from abu al- Rabi’ al-Shami who has said the following: “Once abu Ja’far عليه السلام said to me, ‘Woe upon you, O abu al-Rabi’, do not seek leadership and do not be a wolf, do not eat people (consume their properties) through us so Allah makes you poor, do not say about us what we do not say about ourselves. One day you will be made to stand up (before the Judge) and will inevitably be questioned. Had you been a truthful person, we, approve you and, had you been lying, we will declare you a liar.’”

7. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Mansur ibn al- ‘ Abbas from ibn Mayyah from his father who has said the following: “I heard Abu ‘Abdillah عليه السلام saying, ‘Whoever wants leadership is destroyed.’”

8. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from al-‘Ala’ from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “I heard Abu ‘Abdillah عليه السلام asking, ‘Do you think I do not distinguish the bad from good among you? Yes, by Allah, the bad ones among you are those who love people walking behind him. Such a person is inevitably a liar or a helpless one (due to his ignorance) in his opinion.’”