The Administration of the Sultanate of Dehli c8.88

c8.88

This brings us to the legal aspect of the question of the dethronement of a monarch; but its discussion requires an understanding of the principles on which a Muslim ruler was raised to the throne. The election of Abū Bakr as caliph after the death of the Prophet provided the jurists with a precedent on which they could base their theories of succession to sovereignty. Two main points emerge from it. The elders did not even discuss the question of relationship to the Prophet, thus proving that considerations of legitimacy did not claim their attention. They also established “the principle of free election by the assembled community and its confirmation by general homage.”⁴ This idea became firmly grounded in the minds of Muslim lawyers. The other method was that the reigning caliph nominated his successor, but this nomination was to be confirmed by general election and homage.⁵ The nomination was but a recommendation to the electors which might or might not be respected. A number of caliphs adopted this.