betrayed Allah and His Messenger, and betrayed the believers.” Al-Hākim related it in his Sahīh.
Some have transmitted it as a statement made by ʿUmar to Ibn ʿUmar, as reported from him. ʿUmar ibn al-Khattāb, may Allah be pleased with him, said:
“Whoever is entrusted with any of the Muslims’ affairs and appoints a man because of affection or kinship between them has betrayed Allah, His Messenger, and the Muslims.”
This is his duty. He must therefore seek out those qualified for public office to serve as his deputies throughout the provinces: governors acting on behalf of the ruler, judges, and others in similar positions; commanders of troops and military leaders of all ranks; and officials responsible for public funds, including ministers, secretaries, financial supervisors, and collectors of land tax, zakat, and other funds belonging to the Muslims.
Each of these must appoint as deputies and officials the most suitable people he can find. This extends to prayer leaders, muezzins, instructors in Quran recitation, teachers, leaders of the pilgrimage, postal couriers, intelligence agents—who are emissaries—treasury custodians, fortress guards, and the haddādīn, who are the gatekeepers of fortresses and cities; senior and junior army officers; overseers of tribes and markets; and village headmen, known as “dahāqīn.”
Thus, everyone entrusted with any of the Muslims’ affairs, whether among those mentioned or others, must appoint to every position under his authority the most suitable person available to him. He must not give a man preference merely because he has requested the office or was the first to request it;