✿ Appointing a Leader During Travel: Hadith Analysis, Weak Narrations, and the Reality of Paper Organizations ✿
Taken from: Fatawa ‘Ilmiyyah, Vol. 1 – Principles, Takhreej & Tahqeeq of Narrations – p. 648
❀ Introduction
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd:
On the subject of appointing an Amir (leader) during travel, five marfu‘ (Prophetic) ahadith are reported. However, none of them is sahih. Below is a detailed examination of these narrations and their status.
❀ Analysis of the Marfu‘ Narrations
① Hadith of ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin al-‘As (RA)
- Reported in Musnad Ahmad 2/177, Hadith 6647
- Narrator: Ibn Lahi‘ah (mukhtalit / mixed-up memory)
- Weak, as the narrator’s hearing is post-ikhtilat.
- Declared weak by Shaykh al-Albani (al-Silsilah al-Da‘ifah, Hadith 589).
② Hadith of ‘Umar bin al-Khattab (RA)
- Found in Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah 4/141, Hadith 2541; al-Bazzar 1/462, Hadith 1329; al-Mustadrak 1/444, Hadith 1642
- Narrator: al-A‘mash (mudallis) narrates via ‘an.
- Weak due to lack of explicit hearing.
③ Hadith of Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri (RA)
- Reported in Sunan Abi Dawud 2608; Musnad Abi Ya‘la 2/319; al-Sunan al-Kubra by al-Bayhaqi 5/257
- Narrator: Muhammad bin ‘Ajlan (mudallis), narrates via ‘an.
- Weak.
④ Hadith of Abu Hurairah (RA)
- In Sunan Abi Dawud 2609; al-Sunan al-Kubra 5/257
- Narrator: Muhammad bin ‘Ajlan (mudallis), via ‘an.
- Weak.
- Another chain (Kashf al-Astar 2/266, Hadith 1671) includes Muhammad bin Jameel Jundi (majhool).
- Also weak.
⑤ Hadith of Ibn ‘Umar (RA)
- Found in Kashf al-Astar 2/267, Hadith 1673
- Narrator: Muhammad bin ‘Ajlan (mudallis).
- Weak.
❀ Summary of Marfu‘ Narrations
- All reports about appointing an Amir during travel are weak.
- Hence, it cannot be declared wajib (obligatory) or sunnah.
- The principle is:
◈ A weak narration remains weak, even with multiple chains.
◈ A sahih narration is sahih, even if through a single chain.
❀ Mowqoof Narration (Sahabi Statement)
Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah bin Mas‘ud (RA) said:
“If you are three in travel, appoint one as your leader, and do not hold private conversation excluding the third.”
References: Musnad ‘Ali al-Ja‘d 1/372, Hadith 443; al-Mu‘jam al-Kabir by al-Tabarani 9/208, Hadith 8915
- Chain: Sahih
- This proves only permissibility (jawaz), not obligation.
❀ Important Note on Fake “Amirates” and Paper Organizations
- Self-styled groups forming “organizations” and demanding bay‘ah in the name of “Amir” are misleading and baseless.
- They misuse narrations about khilafah and amirat al-kubra for their own agendas.
- Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal (RA) said:
“Do you know who is an Imam? The one upon whom the Muslims unanimously agree, and everyone declares him their leader.”
Reference: Su’alat Ibn Hani’, Hadith 26, p. 29; ‘Ilmi Maqalat 1/403
Final Conclusion
➊ Appointing a leader in travel is permissible, but not obligatory or Sunnah, since all marfu‘ narrations are weak.
➋ The sahih mawqoof report from Ibn Mas‘ud (RA) supports only jawaaz.
➌ Fake organizations claiming leadership under “paper emirates” are deception and innovation.
➍ True leadership (Imamah/Khilafah) is only through Ummah-wide consensus.
وما علینا إلا البلاغ
