Interesting how you didn't quote that verse of the Quran in your entire post. But, that's okay, I'll do it.
Surah 4:59:
"O believers! Obey Allah and obey His Messenger, and those from among you who are invested with authority; and then if you were to dispute among yourselves about anything refer it to Allah and the Messenger. if you indeed believe in Allah and the Last Day; that is better and more commendable in the end."
Those who are invested with authority ("ulu al-amr"), in the context of this particular verse, does not refer to anyone who is obeyed as a leader by others. Why? Because there are two conditions, which is that they have to be believers and they should be obedient to Allah and His messenger. The Quran does mention other leaders of that time like the Pharaoh, for example, but those leaders were not "amongst us" because they were not believers nor obedient to Allah and His messenger per the verse that I quoted above. Therefore, a leader like the Pharaoh does not fall under the type of authority that is suggested in that particular verse.
Some leaders are praised in the Quran and other leaders are rebuked (especially those who tried to avert people from Islam). The Pharaoh falls under the latter.
See the following tafseer (exegis) of Surah 4:59 that explains the same thing:
http://www.islamicstudies.info/tafheem.p...=89&nto=92
This was not a challenge to Sunnism at all.
Surah 4:59:
"O believers! Obey Allah and obey His Messenger, and those from among you who are invested with authority; and then if you were to dispute among yourselves about anything refer it to Allah and the Messenger. if you indeed believe in Allah and the Last Day; that is better and more commendable in the end."
Those who are invested with authority ("ulu al-amr"), in the context of this particular verse, does not refer to anyone who is obeyed as a leader by others. Why? Because there are two conditions, which is that they have to be believers and they should be obedient to Allah and His messenger. The Quran does mention other leaders of that time like the Pharaoh, for example, but those leaders were not "amongst us" because they were not believers nor obedient to Allah and His messenger per the verse that I quoted above. Therefore, a leader like the Pharaoh does not fall under the type of authority that is suggested in that particular verse.
Some leaders are praised in the Quran and other leaders are rebuked (especially those who tried to avert people from Islam). The Pharaoh falls under the latter.
See the following tafseer (exegis) of Surah 4:59 that explains the same thing:
Quote:Those invested with authority (ulu al-amr) include all those entrusted with directing Muslims in matters of common concern. Hence, persons 'invested with authority' include the intellectual and political leaders of the community, as well as administrative officials, judges of the courts, tribal chiefs and regional representatives. In all these capacities, those 'invested with authority' are entitled to obedience, and it is improper for Muslims to cause dislocation in their collective life by engaging in strife and conflict with them. This obedience is contingent, however, on two conditions: first, that these men should be believers; and second, that they should themselves be obedient to God and the Prophet (peace be on him). These two conditions are not only clearly mentioned in this verse they have also been elucidated at length by the Prophet (peace be on him) and can be found in the Hadith. Let us consider, for example, the following traditions: A Muslim is obliged to heed and to obey an order whether he likes it or not, as long as he is not ordered to carry out an act of disobedience to God (ma'siyah). When ordered to carry out an act of disobedience-to God he need neither heed nor obey.
http://www.islamicstudies.info/tafheem.p...=89&nto=92
This was not a challenge to Sunnism at all.
