Shaykh al-Islām—may Allah Most High have mercy on him—said:

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I have previously discussed kingship: Is it permissible under our religious law, while the caliphate on the prophetic model is recommended and superior to it? Or is the caliphate on the prophetic model obligatory, such that abandoning it in favour of kingship is permitted only for a valid excuse, as with other obligations? I have addressed this question.

Under the religious law of those before us, kingship was permissible. Like wealth, it was sometimes granted to prophets and sometimes to righteous people. Allah Most High said concerning David:

“Allah granted him kingship and wisdom and taught him whatever He willed.”

He related that Solomon said:

“My Lord, forgive me and grant me a kingdom such as no one after me will have. Indeed, You are the Bestower.”

He related that Joseph said:

“My Lord, You have granted me a share of kingship and taught me the interpretation of dreams.”

These are three prophets whom Allah tells us He granted kingship. He also said:

“Or do they envy people for what Allah has bestowed upon them of His bounty? We certainly gave the family of Abraham the Scripture and wisdom, and We granted them a mighty kingdom.”

“Some of them believed in it, while others turned away from it. And sufficient is Hell as a blazing fire.”

Thus, there was kingship among the family of Abraham and kingship among the family of David. Regarding His words, “You grant kingship to whom You will,” Mujāhid said: “Prophethood.” He thus regarded prophethood itself as kingship.