Juridical (Fiqhi) study of the General Conditions of Guardianship (part II)

In this article a discussion is raised as to the general conditions of guardianship, which is a complementary discussion in relation to the previously mentioned five conditions presented in part one in the last issue of the quarterly. The rest of the conditions can be recounted as follows: inward purification, intellectual perfection, courage – that is, the consultants of a Muslim ruler should not be timid and weak in character –, expansion of mind – which is deemed essential and emphasized on by a great number of verses of the Qur’an and traditions for the establishment of a government and heading a society, masculinity – which is denoted by both the intellect and transmitted traditions as a necessary condition – lack of criminal-record and ill-repute, character stability – which prevents instability in running the social affairs – and, last but not least, compassion or chivalry – which is taken to be a complementary or constituent element to the conditions of guardianship in taking responsibility as the ruler for Islamic society.