Conceptual Interpretation of Ulu al-Amr in the Geometric System of Surah An-Nisa

The Almighty God in verse 59 of Nisa says: O ye who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the messenger and those of you who are in authority. The problem to be solved in the verse is about those of authority whose obedience has been considered as that of God and His prophet and as being absolutely, wajib, necessary. In the present article, with the conceptual analysis of the phrase Ulu al-Amr in the geometric system of Surah Nisa', an attempt has been made to explain the above issue in the Qur'an. The research method is analytical-argumentative and inferential using library and software resources. The geometric system of Surah An-Nisa' depicts the family system and the system of society and social relations of Muslims. According to the teachings of this surah, justice and trust are taken as the basis of Islamic rule and obedience to God and the Messenger and Ulu al-Amr form the basis of Islamic society. From the point of view of the Holy Qur'an, it is not the case that every possessor of command or any possessor of dignity be taken as Ulu al-Amr. The most important characteristics of Ulu al-Amr in the geometric system of Surah An-Nisa' are considered as: opposition to false deities, Taghut, sovereignty, being Divinely elected from among the people, being of Divine knowledge, possessor of great property, mulk a`zim, justice, trustworthiness and infallibility. Paying attention to such characteristics would lead easily to recognizing Ulu al-Amr.