Conditions for the Appointment of a Successor

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 Prophet(sa).1 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 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. 2