two, while others say that it is established by the pledge of allegiance of a single person. These are not the positions of the leading authorities of Ahl al-Sunnah (1).

Rather, according to them, the imamate is established through the agreement of those who wield effective power. A man does not become imam until those whose obedience to him enables the purpose of the imamate to be fulfilled agree to it (2). The purpose of the imamate can only be achieved through power and authority. Thus, if he receives a pledge of allegiance by which power and authority are secured, he becomes imam.

Hence, the leading authorities of the early generations (3) said: Whoever acquires power and authority through which he can fulfil (4) the purpose of governance is among those in authority whom Allah has commanded people to obey, so long as they do not command disobedience to Allah. The imamate entails rulership and authority, and rulership is not established by the agreement of one, two, or four people, unless their agreement necessarily entails that of others, such that rulership is thereby established. Likewise, anything that requires collective assistance can only be achieved when there are enough people capable of cooperating to accomplish it. Hence, when allegiance was pledged to Alī—may Allah be pleased with him—(5) and he acquired effective power, he became imam.

If a group were travelling, the sunnah would be for them to appoint one of their number as leader, as the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said: “It is not lawful for three people travelling together unless they appoint