Book of Agency

In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful. May Allah bless Muhammad. Allah’s help I seek, and in Him I place my trust.

Allah, Almighty and Majestic, says:

“Say, ‘The Angel of Death, who has been entrusted with you, will take your souls; then to your Lord you will be returned.’” [al-Sajdah: 11]

He also says:

“Or who will be their defender?” [al-Nisā’: 109]

“And Allah is sufficient as a Trustee.” [al-Nisā’: 81]

And He said to His Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace):

“Say, ‘I am not a guardian over you.’” [al-An‘ām: 66]

All these usages fundamentally convey safeguarding and care, for an agent safeguards what has been entrusted to him, taking the place of the person who appointed him in safeguarding and caring for it. Another example is his saying (peace be upon him):

“Allah has appointed an angel over the womb, who says, ‘O Lord, a drop of fluid! O Lord, a clinging clot! O Lord, a lump of flesh!’ Then the soul is breathed into it, and he says, ‘O Lord, what will his provision be? What will his lifespan be? Will he be wretched or blessed?’ This is then recorded while he is in his mother’s womb.”

Section

Agency means acting on behalf of the principal. It is therefore possible only in matters in which representation is valid, whether duties a person must perform for someone else or matters he needs for his own benefit.