The Status of Council in Selecting a Muslim Ruler

In a government, three types of councils are conceivable: a pregevernment council, a council coincident with the government formation, and a post-government council. The article focuses on the last type of these three. It is the type which is regarded by the Qur’anic texts (nosus) and Sunnah to be legal. In other words, it is a council to which a ruler can refer after the government headed by him is legally recognized, to get aid in the management of Muslims’ affairs. This type of council is concerned only with the questions about which God or the Prophet(s) has given no decision and made no mention.