Conditions for the Appointment of a Successor — Seal of the Prophets Vol. 2
Introduction
In this discourse from The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 2), Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra) details the historical events and scholarly insights surrounding Conditions for the Appointment of a Successor.
Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 2)
Author: Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra)
Section: XII – First Era of Life in Madinah Comes to an End and the Islamic System of Government
Pages: Book pp. 543–544 (PDF pp. 567–568)
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Historical Account
In summary, the true Islāmic teaching and real Islāmic practice is that Khilāfat and leadership should be established with the consultation of the people, as was done in the case of the first Khalīfah of Islām after the demise of the Holy Prophetsa. Nonetheless, if a Khalīfah feels the need to appoint a successor himself, in certain circumstances, such a practice has been permitted. However, as proven in light of the Islāmic teaching and the practice of the Four Khulafā’, there are five conditions. Firstly, such special circumstances should be prevalent at the time as would make such
[Ṣaḥīḥul-Bukhārī, Kitābul-Aḥkām, Bābul-Istikhlāf, Ḥadīth No. 7218 * Ṣaḥīḥu Muslim, Kitābul-Imārati, Bābul-Istikhlāfi Wa Tarkihī, Ḥadīth No. 4713-4714]
a practice more appropriate instead of the general practice. Secondly, the successor should be appointed with the consultation of the people. Thirdly, the appointment should remain limited to the next Khalīfah or Amīr alone. It is not permitted that a Khalīfah should order that after him such and such person would be the Amīr, then so and so, and so forth, because this practice is equivalent to snatching the right of election from future generations. Fourthly, the successor should not be a near relative of the Khalīfah. Fifthly, the Khalīfah who is appointing a successor should be an elected Khalīfah himself. 1 ُوَاللّٰهُ اَعْ لَم
Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 2)
Section: XII – First Era of Life in Madinah Comes to an End and the Islamic System of Government | Navigation: « Previous: [Khilafat of the Banu Umayyah was not a True Islamic Khilafat] | Next: [Can A Person Resign from Leadership?] »