“And We sent down iron, in which is great strength and benefits for people, so that Allah may know those who support Him and His messengers though they do not see Him.”

Whoever departs from the Book is set right by iron. Thus, religion is upheld by the Quran and the sword. It is reported that Jābir ibn ‘Abd Allāh, may Allah be pleased with them both, said:

“The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, commanded us to strike with this—meaning the sword—whoever departs from this—meaning the Quran.”

Since this is the objective, it should be pursued through the means that come closest to achieving it, in order of priority. Of two candidates, whichever is better suited to achieving that objective should be appointed. If, for example, the office consists solely of leading the prayer, preference should be given to the person whom the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, gave precedence when he said:

“The people should be led in prayer by the one most proficient in reciting the Book of Allah. If they are equal in recitation, then by the one most knowledgeable about the Sunnah. If they are equal in knowledge of the Sunnah, then by the one who emigrated earliest. If they are equal in emigration, then by the oldest. No man should lead another in prayer within the latter’s sphere of authority, nor sit in his place of honour in his house, except with his permission.”

Muslim recorded it.

If two men are equally qualified and it is unclear which is more suitable, lots should be drawn between them. Thus, Sa‘d ibn Abī Waqqās drew lots among the people on the day of al-Qādisiyyah when they disputed over giving the call to prayer, following the saying of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace:

“If people knew what reward there is in the call to prayer and the first row, and could find no way to obtain them except by drawing lots, they would draw lots.”

When precedence is thus determined by Allah’s command where the proper choice is clear, and by His action—namely, the choice He determines through drawing lots when the matter is unclear—the appointing authority has discharged the trusts of public office by entrusting them to those entitled to them.