the successor is one who succeeds another—even if that other did not appoint him, as the majority maintains—then the use of this title does not require such an appointment.
[The usage found in the Book and the Sunnah indicates that this title applies to anyone who succeeds another, whether that person appointed him](1) or did not appoint him. This is evident in the words of the Exalted:
“Then We made you successors in the land after them, so that We might see how you would act.”
[Surah Yūnus: 14]
And His words [—Exalted is He—:
“He is the One who made you successors upon the earth,”
to the end of the verse [Surah al-An'ām: 165].
And He said:](2)
“Had We willed, We could have put angels in your place, succeeding one another on earth.”
[Surah al-Zukhruf: 60]
And His words:
“And remember when He made you successors after the people of Noah.”
[Surah al-A'rāf: 69]
And in the other account:
“Successors after ‘Ād.”
[Surah al-A'rāf: 74]
“And Moses said to his brother Aaron, ‘Take my place among my people.’”
[Surah al-A'rāf: 142]
This is an appointment to succeed.
The Exalted also said:
“And He is the One who made night and day follow one another for whoever wishes to take heed.”
[Surah al-Furqān: 62]
And He said:
“Indeed, in the alternation of night and day.”
[Surah Yūnus: 6]
That is, each follows the other, so the two alternate in succession.
And Moses said:
“Perhaps your Lord will destroy your enemy and make you successors in the land, then see how you act.”