The Foundations and Critique of the Legitimacy of Government According to the Sunnis

The article, while emphasizing the significance of legitimacy and its role in making political systems endure, presents a strict definition of the concept which could also be understood as "the right of government". A main guestion here relates to the foundations which authorize the rulers to effect their power. The article also elaborates on the divine nature of the legitimacy of government according to Islam and the different stances of Moslems as regards the sources of this legitimacy after the demise of the Holy prophet. The Shiites believe in the divine legitimacy of governments after the Prophet where as the Sunnis give credit to the consensus of the experts and people's consent, or the naming of a success or by the ruler, or the forceful seizure of power.