穆斯林任命哈里发的时间期限为三天，包括其间的夜晚。穆斯林若在脖子上没有宣誓效忠（Bay'ah）的情况下度过超过三夜，这是被禁止的。至于允许的最多三夜，是因为任命哈里发在前任哈里发去世或被罢免的那一刻起就成为必须履行的义务。然而，只要穆斯林在这三天（包括其间的夜晚）内忙于手头的工作，延迟任命是被允许的。如果超过三夜仍未任命哈里发，则应当审视此事：若穆斯林一直在参与任命哈里发的工作，却因超出其控制和能力范围的正当理由，未能在三夜之内完成，那么罪责便从他们的脖子上除去。这是因为他们在努力履行这一职责，只是被迫违背自己的意愿延迟了履行该义务。 伊本·哈巴尼（Ibn Habban）和伊本·马哲（Ibn Majah）引述伊本·阿拔斯的话：他说："安拉的使者ﷺ说，"

The time limit allowed for the Muslims to appoint a Khaleefah is three days, including their nights. It is forbidden for a Muslim to spend more than three nights without having a Bay’ah on his neck. As for allowing a maximum of three nights, this is because appointing a Khaleefah becomes compulsory from the very moment the former Khaleefah dies or is removed. However, it is allowed to delay the appointment as long as the Muslims are involved with the task at hand for three days, including their nights. If the limit exceeds three nights and a Khaleefah is not appointed by that time the matter should be examined: If the Muslims were involved in the appointment of a Khaleefah and failed to do so within three nights for compelling reasons beyond their control and ability, then the sin would fall from their necks. This is because they were endeavouring in their task to perform this duty and were compelled against their will to delay the execution of that duty. Ibn Habban and Ibn Majah narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas, He said: “The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,