أهل الحل والعقد

أهل الحل والعقد

Ahl al-hall wa al-'aqd are the men of power among scholars and notables through whom the purpose of authority is achieved; the term comes from loosing and binding affairs. ¹ They differ from the ahl al-shura, since the mark of the latter is learning while the mark of the former is power. ¹² They must be just, learned, judicious and wise, have a following among the people, and be sincere toward the Muslims. ² The choice is made by a group known as ahl al-ikhtiyar, appointed by the caliph or those present. ² Their work includes choosing the imam, by agreement; renewing the allegiance to a designated successor who was not qualified when he was designated; summoning an absent designee; and dismissing the imam when the cause arises. ³ The number needed to form the imamate is disputed: the Hanbalis require most of them in every town, others say five, and the Hanafis and Shafi'is set no number. ³