Rule Fifty-Six: Interests are assigned in proportion to one’s capacity

The Noble Quran guides Muslims to secure every one of their collective interests. When an interest cannot be pursued by all of them together, then whoever is able should devote himself to that particular need, giving it his time until it is fulfilled, so that all their affairs are set right and their direction remains united.

This is one of the illustrious maxims and a facet of wise Islamic governance, for many comprehensive public interests cannot be undertaken by the whole population, yet they must not be neglected. The way to realize them is exactly what Allah has shown His servants. Concerning armed struggle and religious learning—two of the greatest interests of the religion—He says:

“It is not for the believers to march forth all together. Why, then, does not a group from every party among them go forth so that they may gain understanding in the religion and warn their people when they return to them?”⦗9:122⦘
Hence a sufficient group is to engage in jihad while another pursues knowledge, and when the fighters return they make up what they missed of learning.

He also says, “Let there arise from among you a community that calls to what is good, enjoins what is right, and forbids what is wrong”⦗3:104⦘; “Assist one another in righteousness and piety”⦗5:2⦘; “So fear Allah as much as you are able”⦗64:16⦘; and, “Their affairs are conducted by mutual consultation among them”⦗42:38⦘.

Many other verses point to this noble principle and beneficial rule. When each group undertakes one of the community’s needs, all those needs are met, for every individual