people in authority (أُولُو الأَمْرِ)
الفقه الثقافة والدعوة أصول الفقه
التعريف :
The people in power who conduct national affairs including caliphs, sultans, kings, governors, rulers, etc. Who have legitimate authority.
المعنى الاصطلاحي :
The rulers of a country and their deputies.
الشرح المختصر :
"’Ulu al-Amr" (those in authority/rulers) are the persons authorized to manage the affairs of people in matters related to their religion and worldly life. They establish Allah's prescribed penalties and fight the enemies as they are the people in charge of of governance, administration and everything that leads to the subjects' reform. In their hands lies the control of affairs, they judge between the people, and stop the oppressor from oppressing others. The term includes the Caliph of the Muslims and everyone he appoints to be his deputy in ruling, such as commanders and governors.