Terms and conditions of Caliphate in Islam
Condition One
Muslim Leader
The ruler of the state must be a Muslim because he is the one to run the system of government according to the Islamic Shariah; A person can be eligible who believes in the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and a denier of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) can’t become his caliph.
It is mentioned in Quran;
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ أَطِيعُواْ اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُواْ الرَّسُولَ وَأُوْلِي الأَمْرِ مِنكُمْ
(Surah Nissah Ayat 59)
“O believers! Obey Allah and obey His Messenger and those among you who are in authority”.
The word مِنكُمْ (from you) in this verse is a clear text on this matter. The Caliph of the Muslims will be from among them.
وَلَن يَجْعَلَ اللَّهُ لِلْكَافِرِينَ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ سَبِيلًا
(surah Nissah ayat 141)
“And Allah will not grant the unbelievers a way over the believers”.
The Imam of the Muslim Ummah agrees that if the Caliph apostatizes, then it is obligatory upon the Muslims to depose him and fight with him. How can a person who is a disbeliever from the beginning become the caliph of the Muslims?
Condition Two
Mature and Sane
The second condition for the caliph is that he must be sane and mature, so the Shariah cannot have authority over any disposition of minors.
Condition Three
Do not have physical defects.
The Khalifa should not have physical defects. Due to this, they could not perform their duties properly. If he suffers from any physical defect during the Caliphate. For example, any mental or physical disability, he will be deposed from the post of caliphate (Khilafat).
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According to Quran:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ اصْطَفَاهُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَزَادَهُ بَسْطَةً فِي الْعِلْمِ وَالْجِسْمِ
(Surat Bakrah, Ayat 247)
“Allah chose him over you and increased him abundantly in knowledge and body”.
This verse indicates this. Security of the senses and organs is essential for the Caliph. This is because the defect affects the performance on the one hand. Secondly, hatred arises in the hearts of others.
Condition Four
Adequacy
Adequacy refers to politics that understands the present and modern demands of the times well. Allah Subhan Wa Taa’ala says,
وَ شَدَدْنَا مُلْكَهٗ وَ اٰتَیْنٰهُ الْحِكْمَةَ وَ فَصْلَ الْخِطَابِ
(Surat Dua’ad Ayat 88)
“And we strengthened his kingdom and gave him wisdom and knowledge to distinguish between right and wrong”.
Condition Fifth
A specialist in religious studies.
For the Caliph, it is necessary to be an expert in theological sciences (religious study) so that he can solve the problems arising in the light of Shariah and not exceed the limits due to ignorance.
Condition Sixth
Justice and trust
Leader should be wise and trustworthy. According to Holy Quran the wise leader is;
إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ اتقکم
(Surat Al Hujrat, Ayat 49)
“Surely the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous among you”.
إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَن تُؤَدُّوا الْأَمَانَاتِ إِلَىٰ أَهْلِهَا وَإِذَا حَكَمْتُم بَيْنَ النَّاسِ أَن تَحْكُمُوا بِالْعَدْلِ
(Surat An’Nisah Ayat 58)
“God commands you to return the trust to their owners, and when you judge between people, judge with justice”.
According to Mufassireen, “الْأَمَانَاتِ” means in the above mentioned Quranic verse “the political activities”.
Condition Seventh
Bravery
The Caliph’s bravery is an indispensable condition. It is the most important condition to be a leader in Islam, because a brave leader can ready to face all the bad situations, created by the opponents.
These above-mentioned terms and conditions of a caliphate or emirate in Islam are a must for eligibility for Khilafat. For more information about the caliphate, you can check our blogs.
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