Conditions and Procedures for the Selection of a Caliph or Imam in Islam

Authors

  • Khan Mohammad Mulakhil Student of master program at Alfalha university international law faculty, Jalalabad, Nangarhar, Afghanistan
  • Matiullah Miakhel   Student of master program at Alfalha university international law faculty, Jalalabad, Nangarhar, Afghanistan
  • Fahimullah Zahir Taraki Student of master program at Alfalha university international law faculty, Jalalabad, Nangarhar, Afghanistan
  • Hashmatullah Rahmati () Lecturer at Alfalah university, law and political sciences faculty, administration and diplomacy department, Jalalabad, Nangarhar, Afghanistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16943081

Keywords:

Islam, political, system, Imam.

Abstract

Islam is a complete and international religious which has the information and prediction regarding every aspect of life, it’s a complete religion because it covers each and every affair a human life here and hereafter.

This study explores the Islamic outline for appointing a leader—Imam or Caliph—within the broader context of religious obligation, political authority, and legal responsibility. Drawing upon classical Islamic jurisprudence and historical precedents, it critically examines the role of Ahl al-Ḥall wa al-ʿAqd, the lawfulness of leadership through consultation, and the legal need (or lack thereof) of witnesses in validating leadership. The study emphasizes that leadership in Islam is not based on hereditary succession or popular mass election, but rather on merit, consultation, and adherence to the Sharia.

This study is important for all Islamic and non-Islamic states, because Islam political system is a complete and reliable worldwide system, which has predicted each and every aspect of life, at the same time this study lets us know how leaders are appointed in Islamic society.

The aim of this study is to clarify the procedure of selecting a Muslim leader, and what are the requirements of Islamic Caliph.

We have conducted this study library based, we have tried our best to use the well-known citation format, after all we have studied well enough regarding literature review and have mentioned them as well.

The findings of the study shows that a leader can be appointed in Islam political system; Appointment by Ahl al-Hall wa al-‘Aqd (People of Authority and Decision-Making), and the requirements for selecting a Muslim leader are: Islam, justice,Quirshi, masculinity, physically and mentally well, and mujtahid.

 

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Published

2025-06-25

How to Cite

Khan Mohammad Mulakhil, MatiullahMiakhel , Fahimullah Zahir Taraki, and Hashmatullah Rahmati. 2025. “Conditions and Procedures for the Selection of a Caliph or Imam in Islam”. Khairulummah 5 (01):15-24. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16943081.