The Tasks That The Imaam Is Obliged To Do

Abu al-Hasan Ali Ibn Muhammad Ibn Habib al-Mawardi said, describing the tasks that the imaam or ruler is obliged to do:

There are ten things that he is obliged to do that have to do with public affairs:

1 – He must preserve the religion according to its established bases and that on which the salaf of the ummah were unanimously agreed. If an innovator or deviant or one who is confused about some issue emerges, he has to explain the proof to him and tell him what is correct, and deal with him according to the set rights and punishments so that the religion will be protected against being undermined and the ummah will be prevented from deviance.

2 – He must judge between disputing parties and put an end to arguments so that justice and fairness will prevail, aggressors will not get carried away and no person who is wronged will feel helpless.

3 – He must guarantee public safety and security and protect the women and children of the ummah so that people can go about their business and travel around in safety, with no danger to their persons or their wealth.

4 – He must carry out hadd punishments so that the sacred limits of Allah will not be transgressed and so that the rights of His slaves will be protected.

5 – He must reinforce the borders with equipment and forces so that the enemy will not find any opportunity to violate the borders of the Muslims or shed their blood or the blood of non-Muslims living under the protection of the Islamic state.

6 – He must strive in jihad against those who stubbornly reject Islam after being called to it, until they become Muslim or agree to live under Muslim protection and pay jizyah, so that the rights of Allah will be fulfilled and His religion will prevail over all others.

7 – He must collect zakaah and charity money in the manner enjoined by the texts and scholarly consensus, without causing fear or being unjust.

8 – He must work out what benefits etc are to be given to those who deserve them from the treasury of the Islamic state (bayt al-maal), without being either extravagant or stingy; he must pay them on time, neither early nor late.

9 – He must appoint people who are honest and sincere to different positions, so that things will be done efficiently and wealth will be kept with trustworthy people.

10 – He should supervise matters directly himself, and check on things so that the ummah will be led in a proper manner. He should not rely on delegating to others because he is too busy indulging in physical pleasures or worship, for he may end up delegating to a supposedly trustworthy person who then betrays him, or a supposedly sincere person who then cheats him. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“O Dawood (David)! Verily, We have placed you as a successor on the earth; so judge you between men in truth (and justice) and follow not your desire * for it will mislead you from the path of Allah”
[Saad, 26]

Allah did not allow him to delegate to others without supervising them or excuse him from that; He even described that as misguidance. Even though these are the duties of the khaleefah as stated in religion, these are also the duties of everyone who has anyone under his care. The Prophet salAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said: “Each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible for his flock.”

If the imaam fulfils the rights of the ummah that we have mentioned above, then he has discharged his duty towards Allah and to them, and so he is owed the two duties of obedience and support, unless he changes.