Organization in Islam is not authority. And is it necessary for every undertaking to have authority and administration?

The questioner : All right, our Shaykh, regarding the issue of authority as well, because you know that those who oppose us in this matter may cite a word or a phrase from your speech against us. Now, when you said, meaning, we consider authority without a pledge of allegiance, such as the major pledge of allegiance and the like, they say,The Shaykh : Did you permit it for us? Do you mean by that, our Shaykh, that any undertaking must have a man to manage it and a person responsible, meaning, one who clarifies things to the ignorant or the newcomer or the one who does not know? This is something we are doing now. For example, I am at the center, and I am in charge of the center, meaning, I punishThe student : the one who is negligent or careless, whose actions result in things that harm our da'wah, but this is not in the capacity of authority. They do not go far or near without first seeking my permission.

The Shaykh : It is a different matter and not a legal punishment.

The questioner : I punish them, and it is not a legal punishment in this matter. I do not say he is a sinner or a transgressor, nor do I expel him or admit him, nor deal with membership or anything else. So, what you mean by the issue of authority.

The Shaykh : We have stated more than once that organization cannot be denied as a principle, but what must be denied is what may be attached to it that contradicts the Shari'ah. I gave an example of this when some women came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and said to him, "The men have outdone us, so appoint a day for us," or as we said. So the Messenger (peace be upon him) appointed a day for them on which he would come to them and admonish them. This is organization.The questioner : Yes.

The Shaykh : And we also said that the kuttab (primary schools), elementary schools, secondary schools, and universities, all of this is organization.

The questioner : Yes.

The Shaykh : And such organization is necessary. And if we move up, the state also must have organizations. Look now at how much you have excelled in organizing roads, and how much you have applied the Islamic rule called sadd al-dhara'i' (blocking the means to harm), and how well you have applied it in the matter of roads, sidewalks, and various traffic signals, and so on. This is organization, but there is nothing wrong with it, unless it contradicts a text, such as the text of Jabir regarding the congregational prayer for the two 'Id festivals, or contradicts a practice followed by the Salaf al-Salih (the pious predecessors) by which they drew near to Allah and worshipped Him. No, these are organizations that are necessary for them. So, no one ever denies that the principle of organization is a matter approved by the Lawgiver. Rather, the discussion is about what may be attached to this organization that contradicts, either the texts of the Shari'ah or its rules, as we mentioned earlier.

The questioner : May Allah reward you, our Shaykh.