Since the Muslim community lacked guidance for the selection of a leader...

Since the Muslim community lacked guidance for the selection of a leader, did the companions of Muhammad, by their common consent, and before appointing a leader (or even after appointing a leader) prepare a set of rules or guidelines to which they adhered (subsequently)? 5. What was the attitude and the conduct of the principal companions of Muhammad toward the leadership of the Muslim community after his death? 6.

What was the practice of Muhammad in regard to the selection and appointment of officers? 7. What is Quran's verdict on Muhammad's practice? 8. What did Muhammad actually do about his succession? 9. What actually happened after the death of Muhammad? 10. What importance does the question of succession have in history in general?

An attempt has been made to answer these questions as follows: Question 1 Did Muhammad, the Messenger of God, and the Founder of the Government of Medina, consider himself qualified to appoint his own successor or not? Answer No one would suggest, least of all a Muslim, that Muhammad was not qualified to appoint his own successor. A Muslim cannot imagine that the Apostle lacked the ability to select a successor for himself.

The Arabs were a notoriously arrogant, ignorant, turbulent and lawless breed. Muhammad promulgated the laws of God among them, and he compelled them to respect and to obey those laws. He created a political organization called the State or the Government of Medina. In that State, his powers were unlimited. He chose all its functionaries, civil and military. He could appoint an officer or he could dismiss him, arbitrarily, and without giving any reason(s) to anyone for doing so.

Muhammad's pattern of conduct was consistently consistent. He was, in fact, so consistent that he became almost “predictable.” All Muslims knew that he would select and appoint capable men for all key positions, and they also knew that he would do so without consulting them. He did not even delegate authority to any of his companions to appoint officers. Muhammad, the Apostle of God, alone was qualified to select and to appoint his own successor, and no one else could have done it for him.

Question 2 What could be the possible, hypothetical reason or reasons for Muhammad's failure to appoint his own successor? Answer If Muhammad died without nominating his heir and successor, he is laid open to the charge of dereliction of duty.