What is the authority given to the unqualified? What is unqualified authority?
Abu Hurayra (may Allah be well pleased with him) relates:
When the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) was once in an assembly talking with the people, a Bedouin came and asked, ‘When is the Last Hour?’
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) continued talking without interruption, upon which some people said that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) had heard what the man said and disliked it. Others said that he had simply had not heard it.
When the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) finished what he was saying,
he said, ‘Where is the person who asked about the Last Hour?’
The Bedouin said, ‘Here I am, Messenger of Allah.’
Allah’s Messenger said, ‘When trustworthiness has been lost, then expect the Last Hour.’
The Bedouin asked, ‘How will it be lost?’
The Messenger replied, ‘When authority lies with other than those who should rightfully have it, then expect the Hour.’ (Bukhari, ‘Ilm 2, Riqaq 35)[1]
The consignment of authority to those who are not qualified for it implies the disregard of knowledge, experience and merit, and assigning those who are unqualified to positions of authority. Because such unqualified people fail to properly fulfil their duties, constantly pursue their own interests and perpetrate many injustices so, the general order of things is adversely affected.
[1] See also Ahmad, II, 361.
Source: Osman Nuri Topbaş , Journey To Eternity, Erkam Publications
