Hadith 12
Abu Musa narrated – I entered upon the Messenger of Allah with two men from the bani umaay,so one of the two men said – O Messenger of Allah appoint me over some of that which Allah made you responsible for, and the other man also said something similar So the Prophet replied “I swear by Allah I would not appoint over this work anyone who asked for it nor anyone who covets itعَنْ أَبِى مُوسَى قَالَ دَخَلْتُ عَلَى النَّبِىِّ – صلى االله عليه وسلم- أَنَا وَرَجُلاَنِ مِنْ بَنِى عَمِّى فَقَالَ أَحَدُ الرَّجُلَيْنِ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَمِّرْنَا عَلَى بَعْضِ مَا وَلاَّكَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ. وَقَالَ الآخَرُ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ إِنَّا وَاللَّهِ لاَ نُوَلِّى عَلَى هَذَا الْعَمَلِ أَحَدًا سَأَلَهُ وَلاَ أَحَدًا حَرَصَ عَلَيْهِ
(Muslim)
Commentary
a. To seek positions of ruling for the authority they bestow is not the characteristic of a leader, and hence anyone who has such aspirations is not suitable for the position.
b. These principles are in contrast to the non-Islamic political bodies where politics is seen as a profession and a way to make money and garner power, and hence becomes coveted and competed over amongst anyone irrespective of their capabilities.
Taken from the book “The Sixty Sultaniyya”