Bayhaqi 20232 — The dislike of leadership, and the dislike of taking

Ibn Abi al-Sahba' al-Taymi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: I came to Muharib bin Dithar (may Allah have mercy on him) while he was standing in prayer. When he saw me, he shortened the prayer. Then he came and sat in the judges' seat. Then he sent someone to me and asked: Have you come with a dispute, have you come to greet, or is there some other need? I said: I have come only to greet. The messenger went and informed him, then came to me and said: Stand up. He said: I greeted him, and he praised and glorified Allah, then said: 'Allahumma innaka ta'lamu anni lam ajlis li-hadha al-majlis alladhi ibtalaytani bihi wa qaddartahu 'alayya illa wa ana akrahuhu wa ubghiduhu, fakfini sharra 'awaqibihi' (O Allah, You know that I have not sat in this seat with which You have tested me and which You decreed for me except while I dislike it and detest it, so protect me from the evil of its consequences). Then he took out a clean piece of cloth, placed it over his face and kept weeping until I stood up. The narrator said: He remained as long as Allah willed. Then Ibn Shubrumah (may Allah have mercy on him) became judge. I came to him and found that he too was praying. When he saw me, he shortened the prayer. Then a messenger came to me and said: Have you come with a dispute, or to greet, or is there some other need? I said: I have come only to greet. The messenger went and informed him, then came to me and said: Get up. I went, greeted him and sat beside him. He said: Tell me the story of my brother Muharib bin Dithar. I told him the story, and he said: 'Allahumma innaka ta'lamu anni lam ajlis hadha al-majlis alladhi ibtalaytani bihi illa wa ana uhibbuhu wa ashtahihi, fakfini sharra 'awaqibihi' (O Allah, You know that I have not sat in this seat with which You have tested me except while I love it and desire it, so protect me from the evil of its consequences). Then he took out a clean piece of cloth, placed it over his face and kept weeping until I stood up.