hardship.” Thus, He has not made obligatory what is beyond one’s ability, nor prohibited what necessity compels one to use, provided that the necessity does not arise from disobedience on the servant’s part.

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It must be understood that governing people’s affairs is among the greatest religious obligations. Indeed, neither religion nor worldly life can be maintained without it. Human beings can only secure their well-being by living together, because they need one another; and whenever they come together, they must have a leader. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, even said:

“When three people set out on a journey, let them appoint one of themselves as their leader.”

Abū Dāwūd narrated this from Abū Saʿīd and Abū Hurayrah.

Imam Ahmad narrated in al-Musnad, from ʿAbd Allah ibn ʿAmr, that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“It is not lawful for three people to be in a deserted stretch of land without appointing one of themselves as their leader.”

By making it obligatory to appoint a single leader over even a small, temporary gathering during a journey, he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, indicated that this applies to all other forms of gathering. Moreover, Allah Most High has made enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong obligatory, and this cannot be fully accomplished without power and leadership. Likewise, the other duties He has prescribed—jihad, upholding justice, organizing Hajj, Friday prayers and Eid prayers, supporting the oppressed, and enforcing the prescribed punishments—cannot be fully accomplished without power and leadership.

For this reason, it is reported:

“The ruler is Allah’s shade on earth.”