احسن الله إليك What was the salaf attitude towards taking places of leadership like being imam of a masjid or being a ruler? Is it true that we don’t ask for these stations or desire them, rather we take them up only if it is really necessary? احبك في الله يا استاذنا

‎The default is not to ask for leadership, because the Prophet ﷺ‎ said, do not ask for leadership, for if you are given it because you asked, you will be left to it (al-Bukhārī). Ibn Baz said that if a qualified person sees a real benefit for the Muslims, intending reform and not the world, he may ask for it, as ʿUthmān ibn Abī al-ʿĀṣ asked to be the imam of his people. I believe Muslims are in need of salafi imams who are students of knowledge to teach and lead the salah and have a good status in their communities where people go to the mand ask them.