‘A'isha told of God’s messenger passing water and ‘Umar standing behind him with a jug of water. He said, “What is this, ‘Umar?” He replied, “Water for you to perform ablution with.” He said, “I have not been commanded to perform ablution every time I pass water. If I were to do so it would become a sunna” Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

‘Abd ar-Rahman b. Samura told that God’s Messenger said to him, “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.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Huraira reported the Prophet (ﷺ) as saying, “You will be eager for the office of commander, but it will become a cause of regret on the day of resurrection. It is a good suckler but an evil weaner.”* Bukhari transmitted it. *In the beginning it causes pleasure, but later such pleasures are cut off. The idea is that one gladly undertakes high office, but later finds it to be a cause of grief.

Abu Dharr told that he asked God’s Messenger to make him a governor, but he struck him on his shoulder with his hand and said, “You are weak, Abu Dharr, and it is a trust which will be a cause of shame and regret on the day of resurrection except for him who undertakes it as it ought to be undertaken and fulfils his duty in it.” In a version he said to him, “I see that you are weak, Abu Dharr, and I wish for you what I wish for myself. Do not accept rule over two people and do not become guardian of an orphan’s property.” Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Musa said

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “You will find among the best people those who have the strongest dislike of this command till they fall into it.”* (Bukhari and Muslim.) *This is explained as meaning either they cease to dislike having authority and so cease to be among the best people, or they find that God helps them. Preference is given to the first explanation, but the remark is made that whichever explanation is correct, in the end these people do not object to having authority.

‘Abdallah b. ‘Umar reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible for his flock. The imam who is over the people is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock; a man is a shepherd in charge of the inhabitants of his household and he is responsible for his flock; a woman is a shepherdess in charge of her husband’s house and children and she is responsible for them; and a man’s slave is a shepherd in charge of his master’s property and he is responsible for it. So each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible for his flock.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Ma'qil b. Yasar told that he heard God’s Messenger say, “Any governor in charge of Muslim subjects who dies while acting dishonestly towards them will be excluded by God from paradise.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

He told that he heard God’s Messenger say, “Anyone who is asked by God to take charge of subjects and does not protect them with good counsel will not smell the fragrance of paradise.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

‘A’idh b. ‘Amr told that he heard God’s Messenger say, “The worst shepherds are those who are ungentle.” Muslim transmitted it.

‘A’isha reported God’s Messenger as saying, “O God, cause distress to him who has any charge over my people and causes them distress, and be gentle to him who has any charge over my people and is gentle to them.” Muslim transmitted it.