On eligibility for the caliphate, the need for sagacity in fighting against Muslims
Nahj al-Balāgha|Volume 1|Book 1|Chapter 173
Nahj al-Balāgha
Book 1, Chapter 173
On eligibility for the caliphate, the need for sagacity in fighting against Muslims
[الجدير بالخلافة :] أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ، إنَّ أَحَقَّ النَّاسِ بِهذَا الاْمْرِ أَقْوَاهُمْ عَلَيْهِ، وَأَعْلَمُهُمْ بِأَمْرِ اللهِ فِيهِ، فَإِنْ شَغَبَ شَاغِبٌ اسْتُعْتِبَ، فَإِنْ أَبَى قُوتِلَ.
O people, the most rightful of all persons for this matter (namely the caliphate) is he who is most competent among them to maintain it, and he who knows best Allāh’s commands about it. If any mischief is created by a mischief-monger, he will be called upon to repent. If he refuses, he will be fought.