is someone who is followed and whose command is carried out, and this leadership is of two kinds: religious leadership and political authority.

Religious leadership belongs to the scholars. They are the imams of the faith who steer people toward the Book of Allah, guide them to it, and point them to His sacred law. Allah, Exalted is He, records the supplication of the servants of the Most Merciful: “Our Lord, grant us in our spouses and our offspring a comfort to our eyes, and make us an imam for the righteous” (25:74). Notice that they did not ask for rule or dominion; rather, they asked for leadership in religion. The servants of the Most Merciful have no desire to wield power over people or to seek high office. Indeed, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to ʿAbd al-Rahman ibn Samura—may Allah be pleased with him—“Do not ask for authority, for if you are given it because you asked, you will be left to yourself; but if you are given it without having asked, you will be aided in it.”

Thus they seek only the leadership of religion, concerning which Allah said: “And We appointed from among them leaders guiding by Our command when they were steadfast and had sure faith in Our signs” (32:24). He said, “leaders guiding by Our command.”

Sincere counsel to the Muslim imams in matters of religion and knowledge therefore requires a person to be eager to receive from them whatever knowledge they possess, for they are the intermediaries between the Messenger ﷺ and his community. One should strive to learn from them by every available means. In our own time—praise be to Allah—the avenues are many: writing, recordings, direct study, and more. Let him, then, be diligent in acquiring knowledge.