Is the most knowledgeable person in the nation the most deserving of the Caliphate?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
For the validity of the Grand Imamate, it is not a condition that its holder be the most knowledgeable of people. Rather, the majority of scholars stipulated that he must reach the rank of (independent reasoning) in knowing the rulings. As for the Hanafis, they held that knowledge is a condition of priority, and they consider it valid for an ordinary person to assume the role. Among the recognized conditions for the Imamate are: justice and knowledge leading to ijtihad.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/115170
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 115170
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy