What is the ruling on appointing an amir (leader) for some groups, and does this term deserve to be used in the Shari'ah?

The questioner : The second question: Some groups also say to their organizer or the one who leads the work in them, "You are an amir, you are the amir of the group." Does this term deserve to be used in the Shari'ah? What is your opinion, O honorable one, regarding this?

The Shaykh : This matter, that the answer to this second question is taken from the answer to the first question, is that we said that the group, in the second sense, is a bid'ah (religious innovation). Consequently, this leadership and this authority are also a bid'ah. It has no basis whatsoever, and he does not have a specific authority, because he is not the Khalifah of the Muslims, who is the head of this so-called group. Consequently, he does not have the right to appoint amirs and organize affairs. This is for the Muslim Khalifah who does not favor one sect over another.

The questioner : May Allah reward you with good. And are the hadiths regarding leadership (imarah) specific to travel, or are they general?

The Shaykh : No, they are specific, as we said regarding the caliphate.