format_quote Originally Posted by
SEB
So why does this hadith say that you should not ask for or desire authority? Surely, by applying for and getting this job, that is a form of 'asking'? The only reason I can see is for people who use positions of authority to show off which is something I avoid. It is still bothering me a lot, especially as I now looking into changing jobs as well.
First of all the authority mentioned in that Hadith is about political and religious authority which is taken by force or by deceiving others. This Hadith is not talking about the work force. What you are talking about is related to work force and there are several examples in Muslim history which shows that acquiring a managerial job is fine and highly recommended. There are several companions who ran successful businesses and had several people working for their trade business. They overlooked and managed these people. Imam Abu hanifa was also a well know merchant and had several people who used to work for him. Who was managing them? Imam Abu Hanifa.
Now a days in work force there will always be someone working under you if you work in a company who believes in promotion and professional growth. You can’t make enough to support your family if you decide to stay at the bottom of that ladder just because who are trying to avoid any authority over others.
Second, applying for a job does not mean that you will get the job. You need to go through interview process and if you get the job, it’s not because you wishes for it but it is because Allah helped you to get that job. Now let’s look at this from political point of view as well. When a prince wants to be the next king then that’s clearly wanting to have an authority over other people. And yes Allah does not help such people who seek for authority to rule over people. Examples of this are found in ummayd and Abbasid dynasties and all other so called caliphates which came after them. On the contrary, we see that rightly guided caliphs did not seek to have any authority over people and were chosen by their own people. When Umar (ra) died, he asked that the next caliph to be chosen from the 6 Sahābah. Few of those pulled their names because they did not want to be a Caliph but other still remained in contention for next caliph means they wanted to have the authority. But eventually, they all chose Osman(ra) as the third caliph.
This last point also illustrates that now a days it is encouraged and necessary for Muslims to run for Congress or senate in a non Muslim country because that how we can protect our identity and pass laws which can support Muslim culture and practices.
Finally let’s also look at some authority which many of us have on our kids. Now many of us wanted to have kids but that one reason for many of us to get married. Should we avoid having any kids because it will give us an authority over them? Surely not, our kids are a trust given to us by Allah and we need to take care of that responsibility. Similarly our jobs ( managerial or non managerial) are a trust given to us and we need to do them with the best of our ability.
I hope that you find these arguments helpful and hope you appreciate what Allah has given you and use that to spread the true message of Islam. Be good to those who report directly to you and set good moral standards for yourself and them to follow.