Al-Irshad by Shaykh al-Mufid

### The Central Thesis of Leadership

At the heart of “Al-Irshad” lies the assertion that legitimate authority must be rooted in divine endorsement. Shaykh al-Mufid articulates that the Imam, or leader, is not merely a political figure but rather a divinely appointed guide endowed with spiritual insight. This concept challenges the often simplistic view of leadership found in secular governance, proposing instead a paradigm where authority stems from both divine will and communal recognition.

### Characteristics of the Imam