Conditions of Governance and Appointment of Ineligible Persons
Written by: Imran Ayyub Lahori
In the Battle of Muʾtah, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ appointed Zayd ibn Ḥārithah (RA) as commander and said:
«إن قتل زيد فجعفر و إن قتل جعفر فعبد الله بن روحة»
"If Zayd (RA) is killed, then Jaʿfar (RA) will be the commander. And if Jaʿfar (RA) is killed, then ʿAbdullāh ibn Rawāḥah (RA) will be the commander."
References: [Bukhārī: 4261, Kitāb al-Maghāzī; Aḥmad: 5/299]
Islamic teachings prohibit entrusting governance to those unfit for it. Among them are:
➊ Women in Leadership
The Prophet ﷺ said:
«لن يفلح قوم ولوا أمرهم إمرأة»
"A nation that hands over its affairs to a woman will never prosper."
References: [Bukhārī: 4425, Kitāb al-Maghāzī; Tirmidhī: 2262; Aḥmad: 5/43]
➋ Children in Authority
The Prophet ﷺ said:
«تعوذوا من إمارة الصبيان»
"Seek refuge from the leadership of children."
References: [Aḥmad: 2/326; Majmaʿ al-Zawāʾid: 7/223]
➌ Ignorant Judge
Among those who will be in Hell is:
"A judge who delivers judgments upon ignorance."
References: [Abū Dāwūd: 3573, Kitāb al-Qaḍāʾ; Ibn Mājah: 2315; Ḥākim: 4/90]
➍ Weak and Incapable Persons
The Prophet ﷺ advised Abū Dharr (RA):
«اراك ضعيفا لا تأمرن على اثنين»
"I see you as weak, so do not ever assume leadership over even two people."
References: [Muslim: 1825, Kitāb al-Imārah; Aḥmad: 5/173]
✔ Governance can be entrusted with conditions, as exemplified in the Battle of Muʾtah.
✔ Leadership positions are not to be given to:
ھٰذَا مَا عِندِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
Written by: Imran Ayyub Lahori
❖ Governance Conditional Upon Circumstances
In the Battle of Muʾtah, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ appointed Zayd ibn Ḥārithah (RA) as commander and said:
«إن قتل زيد فجعفر و إن قتل جعفر فعبد الله بن روحة»
"If Zayd (RA) is killed, then Jaʿfar (RA) will be the commander. And if Jaʿfar (RA) is killed, then ʿAbdullāh ibn Rawāḥah (RA) will be the commander."
References: [Bukhārī: 4261, Kitāb al-Maghāzī; Aḥmad: 5/299]
❖ Those Who Cannot Be Given Authority
Islamic teachings prohibit entrusting governance to those unfit for it. Among them are:
➊ Women in Leadership
The Prophet ﷺ said:
«لن يفلح قوم ولوا أمرهم إمرأة»
"A nation that hands over its affairs to a woman will never prosper."
References: [Bukhārī: 4425, Kitāb al-Maghāzī; Tirmidhī: 2262; Aḥmad: 5/43]
➋ Children in Authority
The Prophet ﷺ said:
«تعوذوا من إمارة الصبيان»
"Seek refuge from the leadership of children."
References: [Aḥmad: 2/326; Majmaʿ al-Zawāʾid: 7/223]
➌ Ignorant Judge
Among those who will be in Hell is:
"A judge who delivers judgments upon ignorance."
References: [Abū Dāwūd: 3573, Kitāb al-Qaḍāʾ; Ibn Mājah: 2315; Ḥākim: 4/90]
➍ Weak and Incapable Persons
The Prophet ﷺ advised Abū Dharr (RA):
«اراك ضعيفا لا تأمرن على اثنين»
"I see you as weak, so do not ever assume leadership over even two people."
References: [Muslim: 1825, Kitāb al-Imārah; Aḥmad: 5/173]
❖ Conclusion
✔ Governance can be entrusted with conditions, as exemplified in the Battle of Muʾtah.
✔ Leadership positions are not to be given to:
- Women (based on Prophetic prohibition),
- Children,
- Ignorant individuals,
- Those weak or incapable of managing public affairs.
✔ Authority is a trust that must be given only to those qualified and capable.
ھٰذَا مَا عِندِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
