Shaykhu-l-Islaam (may Allaah’s Mercy be upon him) mentions in Majmoo’ Al-Fataawaa, ‘The Collection of Rulings,’ “[Allaah ] has placed leadership in the religion as a result of patience and certainty in His saying,
(وَجَعَلْنَا مِنْهُمْ أَئِمَّةًۭ يَهْدُونَ بِأَمْرِنَا لَمَّا صَبَرُوا۟ ۖ وَكَانُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا يُوقِنُونَ)
“We raised from among them leaders, guiding by Our command, when they patiently endured and firmly believed in Our signs.” (AS-Sajdah 24)
Thus, patience is necessary.
(إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا۟ بِٱلْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا۟ بِٱلصَّبْرِ)
“… except those who have faith, do good, and urge each other to the truth, and urge each other to perseverance.” (Al-‘Assr 3)
(يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱصْبِرُوا۟ وَصَابِرُوا۟ وَرَابِطُوا۟)
“Believers! Patiently endure, persevere, stand on guard…” (Aaly ‘Imraan 200)
Certainty is also necessary to obtain the Promise of Allaah . If a person does not have certainty in the Promise of Allaah , how can he have patience to obtain the means that lead to leadership or to be outstanding in knowledge, or having patience teaching, guiding and directing people? This is necessary through having patience and certainty, just as Shaykhu-l-Islaam (may Allaah’s Mercy be upon him) said. Before this, there is a matter of knowledge and action. It is vital he learns in order to act upon clear sightedness. When he learns knowledge of the religion which is inherited from the Prophet ﷺ and acts upon it, he spreads it, teaches it to the people and is eager to benefit them enjoined with patience and certainty, then he is at the level of leadership, if Allaah wills.