Imam Ali (s.a.) said: ,,The seeking of rulership is a deception of Satan.” [Ghurar-ul-Hikam, page 249]

طَلَبُ السُّلْطانِ مِنْ خِداعِ الشَّيْطانِ

Ma’mar Ibn Khallad reported, that he named to Imam Ar-Rida (a.) a person: ,,He cares about authority.” He said: ,,Two ravening wolves in the midst of sheeps which their shepherd abandoned are not as harmful to the religion of a Muslim as the authorities.” [Al-Kafi of Al-Kulaini, Volume 2 page 297 Hadith 1]

محمد بن يحيى، عن أحمد بن محمد بن عيسى، عن معمر بن خلاد، عن الإمام الرضا صلوات الله عليه أنه ذكر رجلا فقال: إنه يحب الرئاسة، فقال: ما ذئبان ضاريان في غنم قد تفرق رعاؤها بأضر في دين المسلم من الرئاسة

Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said: “The first, by which one has disobeyed God are six: ,,The love of this world, the love of authority, the love of food, the love of women, the love of sleep, and the love of rest.” [Al-Khisal, page 330]

الإمام الصادق (عليه السلام): إن أول ما عصي الله به ست: حب الدنيا، وحب الرئاسة، وحب الطعام، وحب النساء، وحب النوم، وحب الراحة

Imam Al-Baqir (a.) said: ,,Whoever used to speak about God (his essence), would cast himself into destruction and whoever used to seek authority, would cast himself into destruction, and whoever was overcome by favour, would cast himself into destruction.” [Tuhaf-ul-Uqul of Al-Harrani, page 409]

عن الحسن بن علي عن الإمام الكاظم عليه السلام قال: من تكلم في الله هلك ومن طلب الرئاسة هلك ومن دخله العجب هلك

Imam Ali (a.s.) said: ,,The evil of the knowledgeable (alim) is the love of authority.” [Mizan ul-Hikmah, Vol. 2, page 1007]

الإمام علي (عليه السلام): آفة العلماء حب الرئاسة

Imam As-Sadiq (a.) said: ,,Be a follower and do not be an authority.” [Al-Bihar of Al-Majlisi, Volume 75, Page 270]

عن الحسن بن علي عن الإمام الصادق عليه السلام قال: كن ذنبا ولا تكن رأسا