What the Term Aulu al–Amr Means This word is made up of two words “اولی”...

What the Term Aulu al–Amr Means This word is made up of two words “اولی”, meaning “possessor,” and “الامر” meaning “command”, and “affair, authority”, the latter sense is more distinct, because Aulu al–Amr is mentioned in the following verse, which refers to the second meaning “ And when there comes to them news of security or fear, they spread it abroad; and if they had referred it to the Apostle and to those in authority among them, those among them who can search out the knowledge of it would have known it ” (4:83) Thus Aulu al–Amr “ اولی الامر” means the possessors of authority who have the right to manage the affairs of all aspects of life, who naturally have the qualifications of becoming guardians of the affairs (of people) and it is God, the Owner of Authority and the Guardian of everything, who has entrusted this responsibility to them, and He has not given it to those who illegitimately and forcibly come to power.

It is quite obvious that the owner of a house is the real possessor of the house, not the one who has occupied it by force, deceptions and tricks. To Whom Aulu al–Amr Is Ascribed The commentators of the Qur’an introduce various views about the meaning of this word including the following: Commanders. The of the Prophet (saws) The Immigrants ( Mahajrun ) and the Helpers ( Ansar ) . The ( Sahabih ) and the second generation of the ( Tab’in ). The four Caliphs. Abu Bakr and Umar.

The knowledgeable people. Army commanders. The Imams from the family of the Prophet, Ahl al–Bayt, God’s peace and blessing on them all. Ali (as), peace on him Those whom the Shariah has somehow entrusted with guardianship (over people) Ahl al–Hill wa al–Akd “اهل حل و عقد” The rulers of justice “امرا الحق” [^1] We will ponder into the points and indications in the Qur’anic verse before judging and evaluating the above statements.

The Status of Aulu al–Amr (As Stated) in the Verse Here it is worth considering how the quoted Qur’anic verse sketches obedience to “Aulu al–Amr”. One: Absolute Obedience to Aulu al–Amr The obedience to “those in authority”, as mentioned in the verse, is absolute, that is, it is restricted by no condition, just as is the case the of obeying the Prophet we already discussed. This absolute obedience indicates that no particular command or circumstance has confined it.

Rather, obeying their commands and prohibitions is obligatory.