https://alulum.net/ojs/index.php/aujis <p>Research Journal <strong>"Al-‘Ulūm Journal of Islamic Studies (AUJIS)"</strong> <strong>(ISSN: Print 2709-3484 | ISSN: Online 2709-3492 </strong>is a double blind peer-reviewed open access journal. It is approved by <strong>Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC) in Y category</strong>. </p> <p>The journal is multidisciplinary publication covering all areas of Islamic learning and related branches of knowledge including subjects such as Quranic &amp; Hadith Sciences, Seerah, Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh Islami), Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence (Usul al-Fiqh), Islamic Economics, Islamic Banking &amp; Finance, Takaful, Islamic Work Ethics, Business Ethics, Comparative religion and Interfaith, Contemporary Issues in Islamic and Western Thoughts, and other topics covers Islamic ideology.</p> <p>The journal aims at addressing the issues related to Islam and Muslims. It welcomes the manuscripts dealing with range of areas mentioned above and presenting the reflections useful in global and Pakistani context.</p> <p>The journal accepts the submissions in three languages (Arabic, Urdu and English). If you are considering submitting an article to the Journal, please take a careful notice of the Journal's requirments about its scope and refferene style etc.</p> Al-Karam International Institute Bhera, Pakistan en-US Al-‘Ulūm Journal of Islamic Studies 2709-3484 https://alulum.net/ojs/index.php/aujis/article/view/177 <p>This study explores the political, social, and administrative role of the <em>‘Arīf</em> (عریف) in the early Islamic state under the Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him), analyzing its necessity and historical significance. Drawing upon classical Islamic sources such as <em>al-Maward</em><em>ī</em>, <em>al-Mawsū</em><em>ʿah al-Fiqhiyyah</em>, and various Hadīth collections, the author demonstrates that human sociopolitical needs necessitate hierarchical structures, even in prophetic governance. The article delves into the Qur’ānic and Prophetic precedents for appointing deputies and administrators, contextualizing the <em>‘Arīf</em> as a local tribal leader or representative responsible for community affairs and reporting to higher authorities. The study establishes the continuity of this institution from pre-Islamic Arab tribal systems, reformed under the Prophet's leadership to serve communal justice and effective governance. Through historical and linguistic analysis, the article distinguishes the <em>‘Arīf</em> from higher political officials, framing it as an essential component of localized Islamic administration. The paper also investigates ethical dimensions, highlighting Prophetic warnings regarding the misuse of administrative power. Furthermore, several authentic narrations are examined to validate the function and spiritual responsibility attached to the office of <em>‘Arīf</em>, illustrating its relevance across subsequent Islamic caliphates. The study concludes that while the role was practically indispensable, it carried significant moral and religious accountability, making it both a privilege and a burden in Islamic political theory. This research contributes to understanding the structure of the prophetic state and emphasizes the enduring relevance of localized administrative ethics in Islamic governance.</p> Hafiz Muhammad Saadullah Copyright (c) 2025 Al-‘Ulūm Journal of Islamic Studies https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0 2025-06-22 2025-06-22 6 1 46 77