Bakrah: he was distressed by the dream and said, ‘A prophetic caliphate; then Allah grants kingship to whomever He wills.’”

Then there are the texts requiring the appointment of imams and rulers, and the reward attached to the righteous deeds they undertake: these commend such authority and encourage it. Thus, its praiseworthy aspects must be distinguished from its blameworthy aspects, and the ruling when both coexist must be considered. It is reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Allah gave me the choice between being a servant and Messenger or a prophet and king, and I chose to be a servant and Messenger.”

If, then, the underlying issue here is the mixed character of authority, whether in governance or adjudication, is kingship permissible in principle, with the caliphate merely recommended? Or is it permissible only when needed because of insufficient knowledge or an inability to govern without it? We argue that it is not permissible in principle; rather, the prophetic caliphate is obligatory, because the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Adhere to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided caliphs after me. Hold firmly to it and cling to it with your molar teeth. Beware of newly introduced matters, for every innovation is misguidance.”

This followed his statement:

“Those of you who live after me will see much disagreement.”

This is a command and an exhortation to adhere to the Sunnah of the caliphs, a command to hold firmly to it, and a warning against newly introduced matters that contradict it. This command and prohibition from him clearly establish that such adherence is obligatory.