The time term of the Khaleefah in office is not determined by a fixed period. As long as the Khaleefah is abiding by the Shar’a, executing its laws and able to perform the duties of the state and the responsibilities of the Khilafah, He remains in office. This is because the texts concerning the Bay’ah came as indefinite (Mutlaq) and they are not restricted to any specific period of time. Anas ibn Malik reported that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said:

“Do hear and obey, even if you were ruled by an Abyssinian slave, whose hair is like the raisin.” In another narration He (pbuh) said:

“As long as He leads you by the Book of Allah.” Besides, all the Khulafaa’ Ar-Rashidoon were given an indefinite (Mutlaq) Bay’ah which is the one mentioned in the Ahadith. They were not of a limted period (in office). Each one of them assumed the post of Khilafah until He died; and this represents a general consensus from the Sahabah (r.a.), confirming that the Khilafah is not of a limited term of office but is unrestricted. Thus if a Khaleefah is given a Bay’ah, He remains in office until He dies.

However, if the Khaleefah underwent a change that made him unfit for the post, or necessitated his removal, his term would be terminated and He would be removed. Though this cannot be interpreted as a limitation to his Khilafah term, but merely to indicate that a breach of the Khilafah’s conditions has occurred. The wording of the Bay’ah, confirmed in the Shari’ah texts and the general consensus of the Sahabah makes the Khilafah of an unlimited term of office. It is rather restricted in terms of the Khaleefah’s undertaking of what He was given the Bay’ah for, i.e. to rule by the Book and the Sunnah and to execute their laws. If He did not uphold the Shar’a or did not implement it, then He must be removed.