๐๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ญ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ฅ๐ข๐๐๐ก. ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐ ๐จ๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐.
Mohamad Mostafa Nassar
Twitter@NassarMohamadMR
Before we get into the details of this topic it is extremely important to understand the basics. Some have wrong notions of a Caliphate due to recent events. While there are lots of details on this topic, here are the ten main highlights:
- A caliphate is a form of Islamic government led by a Caliph (Arabic: Khalฤซfah). The Khilafah is the leader of all Muslims in the world.
- It’s his responsibility toย implement the laws of the Islamic systemย within the Muslim society and sustain it according to the guidelines laid byย The Quranย and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).ย
- Theย Caliph isย not a king or dictator butย an *elected leader*ย whose authority to rule must be given willingly by the Muslims through a special ruling contract calledย Bay’ah.ย Withoutย thisย bay’ah he cannot be the head of state. This is completely opposite to a king or dictator who imposes his authority through coercion and force.ย
- This contract of bay’ah stipulates that the Khalifah must be just and rule the people by the laws of Sharia.
- He is notย sovereign andย cannot legislate laws from his own mindย that suit his personal interests. Any legislation he wishes to pass must be derived from Islamic legal sources through a precise and detailed methodology calledย ijtihad.ย
- If the Khalifah legislates any law contrary to this or commits oppression against his people, the highest and most powerful court in the State can impeach the Khalifah and order his removal from office.
- The Khalifah can be from any race or colour, and from any school of thought (Madhab) as long as he is Muslim.
- The Khilafah is an expansionist state but does not conquer new lands in order to steal their wealth and resources or oppress its people. Rather its foreign policy is to convey the Islamic message alone.
- There were four Rightly Guide caliphs in the history of Islam after Prophet Muhammad’s death.
- Last but not the least establishing the Caliphate and appointing a Khalifah is obligatory (Fard al-Kifayah) on all Muslims in the world, male and female. Performing this duty is the same as performing any other duty which Allah has ordered us, where no complacency is allowed.
Caliphate during the time of The Prophet (pbuh) and his companions
Justice is one of the core principles of Islam. The Islamic system of justice is not limited to Muslims under Caliphate rule but it also extends to the entire ecosystem within its territory, including Non-Muslims and other animate beings like animals, birds and all that exists. Historically under the system of Khalifah even theย non-Muslims got the best attention and justice.ย
The Quran states clearly,
“Do not let the hatred of people prevent you from being just. Be just!” ~ Quran 5:8
Here’s another one from The Quran
Allah does not guide the unjust (or wrongdoing) people.” ~ 2:258 | 5:51
Thus, the Khilafah does not oppress theย non-Muslim minoritiesย living under his rule. Non-Muslims (dhimmi) are protected by the state and not forced to leave their religions and adopt Islamic values. Rather non-Muslim citizens are protected and their homes, properties and lives cannot be violated. Imam Qarafi, a Classical Scholar summed up the responsibility of the Khilafah to the dhimmi (Non-Muslims) when he said:ย
โIt is the responsibility of the Muslims to the People of the Dhimma to care for their weak, fulfill the needs of the poor, feed the hungry, provide clothes, address them politely, and even tolerate their harm even if it was from a neighbor, even though the Muslim would have an upper hand (by the fact that It is an Islamic state).
The Muslims must also advise them sincerely on their affairs and protect them against anyone who tries to hurt them or their family, steal their wealth, or violates their rights.โ
This ruling in Islam is based on the following advise from The Prophet (pbuh),
“Whoever kills a person from among Ahl Adh-Dhimmah he will not smell the fragrance of Paradise…” ~ Nasai 45/45
On the day of resurrection, there will be only 7 kinds of people who will be in the shade of Allah, when there will be no other shade. One the them will be ‘The Just Ruler‘.ย
The Divine Ruling
Following 3 verse from the Qur’an warns the ruler on how he should rule his territory – be it Muslims and non-Muslims living in Muslim country. More here.
Quran 5:44, 45, 47 ~ Whosoever does not rule by that which Allah has revealed, they are the Kafiroon (disbelievers), the Zalimoon (wrong-doers) and the Fasiqoon (disobedient)…
Prophecy of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) on the coming last Khalifah
The Prophet (pbuh) said, “If only one day of this world remained, Allah would lengthen that day, till He raised up in it a man, who belongs to me or to my family, whose father’s name is the same as my father’s, who will fill the earth with equity and justice as it has been filled with oppression and tyranny.” ~ Abu Dawud 38/4
The Prophet (pbuh) said, “There would be, in the last phase of the time, a Caliph who would distribute wealth but would not count.” ~ Muslim 54/84
The Prophet (pbuh) said, “The world will not pass away before the arabs are ruled by a man (Caliph) of my family whose name will be the same as mine.” ~ Abu Dawud 38/4
All Khalifahs (12 of them, including the last one) will be from the tribe of Quraish. Click here to find out more about the tribe of Quraish.
The Prophet (said), “There will be twelve Muslim amirs (leaders/imam). All of them will be from Quraish.” ~ Bukhari 93/82 | Muslim 33/6
The Prophet (pbuh) said, “The Caliphate will remain among the Quraish even if only two persons are left (on the earth).” ~ Bukhari 93/4 | Muslim 33/4
What if someone else claims to be a Khalifah?
The Prophet (pbuh) said, “Anyone who tries to disrupt the affairs of this Ummah, while they are united, you should strike him with the sword whoever he be.” ~ Muslim 33/93
Views of Islamic Scholars on the Importance of having a Khalifah
The Caliphate system was systematically destroyed by the West in 1924. They knew they cannot be be successful with their mission – to implement New World Order – as long as Muslims are united. To break the unity among Muslims it was important to abolish Caliphate system and divide Muslim lands into territories led by Monarchs or Kings.
We see that today across the Muslim world. This video should give some perspective. Also read this article that provides interesting perspective how the events unfolded.
Following are the views of contemporary scholars of Islam on this subject
Imam al-Taftazani said, “There is a consensus that appointing a Khalifah is obligatory. So important that they (Sahabah) considered it more important than the matter of his (the Prophet’s) burial.” It must be noted that The Prophet (pbuh) was buried on the third day after his demise, as the Sahabas (companions of The Prophet) could not collectively decide who will be the next leader. Once the first Khalifah of Muslims was decided, per consensus, The Prophet’s body was then buried.
Imam ibn Taymiyyah said, “It is obligatory to know that the office in charge of Imamah (Khalifah) is one of the greatest obligations of the deen. In fact there is no establishment of the deen except by it.”
Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal said, “The fitna (mischief) occurs when there is no Imam (leader) established over the affairs of the people.”
Imam al-Quturbi said, “The Khalifah is the pillar upon which other pillar rest.”
Imam al-Ghazali said, “Without Khalifah, the judges will be suspended, the provinces will be nullified, the decrees of those in authority will not be executed, and all the people will be on the verge of haram.”
What will be the name of the last Khalifah? What are the signs?
The coming of the last Khalifah (Caliph) is certain. The prophecy section above elucidates the point. To reiterate The Prophet (pbuh) said,
“If only one day of this world remained, Allah would lengthen that day, till He raised up in it a man, who belongs to me or to my family, whose father’s name is the same as my father’s, who will fill the earth with equity and justice as it has been filled with oppression and tyranny.” ~ Abu Dawud 38/4
Thus before the God-sent Khalifah appears and people give him the Bay’ah, there will be a lot of oppression and tyranny around the world. We can already see this in the world today. So when the time comes, the Khalifah will be known by all and he will overhaul systems (based on Allah’s commandments) so that there is peace and tranquility in this world. When Jesus (pbuh) descends, he will team with him, The Khalifah, The Mahdi, to fight AntiChrist (aka Dajjal).
Allah knows Best
Source Fear the fire