عزل

العَزْل

In the lexicon, azl means removal or setting aside, as in removing someone from a post ¹. The supreme imamate is established by the allegiance of those who bind and loose and lasts while its conditions last. Most jurists allow the imam to resign, while one view forbids it ¹. A minister may not dismiss himself, but the imam may dismiss the minister he appointed ¹. A judge may resign; the death of the imam who appointed him does not end his office according to the jurists; and the jurists differ on whether the imam may dismiss him, in three views ^{2 3}. A judge loses office on losing a condition such as sanity, speech, hearing or sight, and some schools also count apostasy and wrongdoing; the dismissal does not take effect until word of it reaches him, according to the majority ^{4 5 6 7}. Dismissal of an agent, guardian, partner in a profit-sharing contract, surety and administrator of an endowment is treated in turn ^{7 8 9}. The entry also treats, under the same heading, withdrawal from a wife or slave-woman: the majority permit it, the wife's consent is disputed, and the jurists list excuses that make it lawful ^{9 10}.