The Institutions of State in the Khilafah by Hizb ut-Tahrir

The delegated assistant should meet the conditions as those required for the Khalifah’s post, i.e. to be male, free, Muslim, mature, sane and just. In addition to this, the assistant should be from the people of competence in what is assigned to him in terms of duties delegated to him. .

Evidences of these conditions are the same as those of the conditions of the Khalifah post because the work of the delegated assistant is part of ruling; therefore he should be male, for the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: .

“People who appoint a woman to run their affairs shall never succeed,” narrated by al-Bukhari on the authority of Abu Bakr. [Bukhari, Sahih. #4425]. He must also be free, for the slave does not have authority over his own affairs, thus he cannot run other people’s affairs. He should also be mature, for the Messenger of Allah (S.W.T) said: .

“Three types of people are exempted from accountability, the one who sleeps until he wakes up, a child until he reaches the age of puberty and the insane until he is cured,” narrated by Abu Dawud [Sunan, #4358]. He also should be sane; for in the same Hadith, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “And the insane until he is cured.” .

And in another narration the Hadith States: ‘…about the one whose mind is overpowered until he regains his mind.’.

The Mu’awin should also be just, for Allah (S.W.T) has made it a condition in a testimony. .

He (PBUH) says:. “And seek the witness of two just men from amongst you” - [TMQ; 65:2] .

By greater reasoning the quality of being just is required from the assistant of the Khalifah. The Mu’awin should also be from the competent people in the duties of ruling. This is so as to enable him to assist the Khalifah in shouldering the tasks of the Khilafah and the responsibility of rule and authority.