Rida contended that the caliphate was superior to Western parliamentary democracy, arguing that "ahl al-hall wa-l-'aqd" are like members of parliament but “wiser and more virtuous,” and that, whatever levels of justice western legislators have arrived at, the "shari‘ah" had set first, and better. Regarding the possibility of restoring the caliphate, he admitted that conditions were not favorable but insisted that if it were established in a small territory, all Muslims would rally around it. In the meantime, the Reform Party(i.e the "Salafiyya" reform movement) should educate public opinion and prepare to assume their responsibilities as "ahl al-hall wa-l-'aqd':