During early Caliphate, all matters of selection and appointment of the Head of the Islamic State had been left to the elective discretion of the Muslims which was to be exercised in accordance with the spirit of the Quranic injunctions.
In an Islamic state, the election of its Head depends entirely on the will of the general public and nobody has the right to impose himself forcibly as their Amir.
No clan or class has a monopoly of this office, and the election takes place within the free will of the Muslim masses and without any coercion or force.
History is a witness to the fact that as far back as 1300 years Islamic society was laid in the town of Madina under extremely trying circumstances.
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To initiate and then gradually to develop an Islamic society, in the face of mounting opposition, was the life mission of the Great Prophet (PBUH), and when after considerable development.
This Islamic society had achieved political independence and its internal organisation had progressed to the stage of a regular state.
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) became and was accepted as its first Head. He was not elected by anybody. He was chosen for this task by God Almighty Himself.
For ten years, he functioned as the Head of that State. He, however, did not leave behind any explicit instruction or nomination as regards the election or appointment of his successor.
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In view of this, and by reason of the explicit Quranic injunctions that all matters affecting the Ummah be decided by consultation.
The Companions rightly inferred that with the passing away of the Prophet, selection and appointment of the Head of the Islamic State had been left to the elective discretion of the Muslims, which was to be exercised in accordance with the spirit of the Quranic injunctions.