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The_Foundations_of_the_Islamic_Belief, page : 172
oust him will result in perilous and unbearable strife, we hold that his caliphate should be
considered
legitimate and binding because of the grave dilemma which would confront us.
Thus we have either to replace him by another and consequently stir up strife, in which case the
evil
that will afflict the Muslims will surpass any loss they may incur because of the claimant's lack
of piety
and knowledge, qualifications designed to promote the public welfare; but no one will destroy the
means
of welfare in order to promote and enhance it, for this will be just like the person who will erect
a single
house and demolish a whole town. Or, we have to declare that there is no caliph and consequently
there
is neither Religion nor equity in the land, which is impossible.
We declare that the authority of unjust rulers should be enforced in their land because of the
urgent
need for authority therein. How, then, do we not declare a caliph legitimate when the need for it
considered
legitimate and binding because of the grave dilemma which would confront us.
Thus we have either to replace him by another and consequently stir up strife, in which case the
evil
that will afflict the Muslims will surpass any loss they may incur because of the claimant's lack
of piety
and knowledge, qualifications designed to promote the public welfare; but no one will destroy the
means
of welfare in order to promote and enhance it, for this will be just like the person who will erect
a single
house and demolish a whole town. Or, we have to declare that there is no caliph and consequently
there
is neither Religion nor equity in the land, which is impossible.
We declare that the authority of unjust rulers should be enforced in their land because of the
urgent
need for authority therein. How, then, do we not declare a caliph legitimate when the need for it