Who is more entitled to lead the congregational prayers: the Muslim caliph or a jurist who has memorized more of the Qur’an than the caliph?

The ruler (Sultan) is given precedence in leading the prayer (Imamah) over others. He may lead the people in prayer himself, or he may appoint someone whom he deems qualified for it, even if someone else is more knowledgeable in jurisprudence than him. The proof for this is the Hadith (definition): "A man should not lead another in prayer in his place of authority." Imam Al-Nawawi explained that the owner of the place or the Imam of the mosque has a greater right to lead the prayer, and he has the discretion to manage it as he wishes by appointing whomever he desires. Our companions (scholars of our school of thought) held that the ruler or his deputy is given precedence over the owner of the house and the Imam of the mosque due to the generality of his authority and dominion.