and alms, as well as all other funds belonging to the Muslims.

Each of these officials must, in turn, appoint as his deputies and employ the most qualified people he can find. This responsibility extends all the way down to prayer leaders, muezzins, Quran reciters, teachers, leaders of the Hajj caravans, postal couriers and intelligence agents—that is, official messengers—treasurers, fortress guards, warders—that is, the gatekeepers of fortresses and cities—the officers of large and small military forces [A/Q 3], the headmen of tribes and markets, and village heads—that is, local landed chiefs.

Everyone entrusted with any part of the Muslims’ affairs, whether among those mentioned or otherwise, must appoint to every position under his authority the most qualified person he can find. A man must not be preferred merely because he sought the office (1) or was the first to apply for it. Rather, this is a reason to disqualify him. It is related in the two Sahih collections (2) that a group of people came to the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—and asked to be appointed to office. He replied, “We do not entrust this affair of ours to anyone who asks for it.”