Stream / External

Question:

What is your opinion on those who say that the meaning of “those in authority” mentioned in the [Quranic] verse ¹ refers only to the scholars and not the rulers? Is this correct?

​Answer:

This is a personal interpretation; this is a view from himself. “Those in authority” (Ulil-Amr) are both the scholars and the rulers, as you have heard. In fact, the outward, apparent meaning of the term refers to the rulers. However, the people of knowledge are the people of authority regarding religious knowledge, while the rulers are the people of authority regarding executive power.

1. “O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger (Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)), and those of you (Muslims) who are in authority.” (Al-Qur’an, An-Nisa’(4):59) ↩