The term "Islamic caliphate" often stirs fear of an Islamic uprising where Muslims will acquire global political control. Some, like Sean Hannity, claim that giving control to al Qaeda will lead to an Islamic caliphate. And although caliphate is the English rendition of the Arabic term khilafat, the two terms have different connotations.
Since the revolution began in Egypt, many pundits have continually warned of a possible radical takeover in Egypt that will ultimately resurrect an imperialist caliphate. The system of caliphate is apparently obligated to wage war to bring the world under Islamic rule -- and then to enforce Sharia law.
This is a far cry from the actual origins and significance of khilafat. Whereas caliphate implies a politico-religious Muslim state governed by a political leader, khilafat refers to the Islamic institution of spiritual successorship. The word khilafat means succession, and the khalifa is a successor to a prophet of God, whose goal is to complete the tasks of reformation and moral training that the prophet instituted. Therefore, khilafat can exist and flourish without a state, much like the papacy in Catholicism, which provides spiritual guidance and unity.
The Islamic understanding of khilafat is based on the Quran, the teachings of Muhammad (the prophet of Islam), and the examples of the first four khalifas in Islam after the Prophet's demise. Prophet Muhammad prophesized that a period of khilafat would follow his demise, then monarchy, autocracy would follow, and, after a hiatus, khilafat would be re-established upon the precepts of prophethood.
The first four khalifas were close associates of the Prophet and known for their integrity and great devotion. Of great significance is the qualification of "rightly-guided" that has been used to distinguish them from the caliph-kings who followed.
The reign (632-661) of the rightly-guided khalifas is often remembered as a golden age of Islam. Muslims would often define themselves and their theology according to the way they assessed the glorious, albeit turbulent and short-lived, events of that formative period.
After the assassination of the last of the rightly-guided khalifas, debate over successorship resulted in a major split in Islam into Sunni and Shia branches. Spirituality was lost and replaced by a political institution, or caliphate. Muawiyah declared himself leader of the Muslims and, thereby, laid the foundations of a long line of caliphs or dynastic monarchies -- in accordance with Muhammad's prophecy.
This reign of caliphs continued for centuries until Ottoman sultan Selim I captured the last caliph of Cairo in 1517. The Ottoman sultans then claimed the title of caliph and brandished it for four centuries until Kamal Ataturk, founder of the Turkish Republic, abolished it in 1924.
Osama bin Laden and a number of fundamentalist political parties have called for the restoration of caliphate to unite Muslim nations -- either through peaceful political uprising or through force. Two influential and radical pan-Islamic groups, Jamaat-e-Islami and the Muslim Brotherhood, seek to restore the caliphate as a militant Islamic institution.
But, what Muslims need is a spiritual khilafat. Any attempts to impose caliphate are doomed to fail not only because it diverges from the true Islamic system of khilafat but also because of the disunity among Muslims to elect a leader.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, however, stands out. As Muslims who believe in the Messiah -- Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian, India -- the Community was founded in 1889 and spans over 195 countries with membership exceeding tens of millions. After the demise of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad in 1908, a large number of followers gathered and unanimously elected the first khalifa. Since then, four more khalifas have been elected, who have focused on serving the faith and transforming the faithful, as opposed to establishing a Muslim state.
From its inception, the Ahmadiyya Khilafat has categorically rejected religious militancy in every form. When faced with bitter persecution, it practices patience and perseverance. When subjected to intolerance, it preaches peace and tolerance. It champions the cause of the dispossessed and works towards uplifting the oppressed through international humanitarian efforts. It has conquered no land and possesses no earthly dominion, but it wields its influence over the hearts and minds of millions as a force for good in the world.
So there need not be any fear of the true Islamic concept of khilafat. This Islamic system of leadership does not threaten to gain any political control, nor does it pursue the establishment of a politico-religious state. Let us walk away from this understanding of caliphate and understand that khilafat can serve to guide Muslims and spiritually reform the world.
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Caliphate - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Why is Glenn Beck freaking out over Egypt and a caliphate ...
Glenn Beck Stands By Egypt Caliphate Conspiracy Theory: 'I'm Not ...
http://groÂups.yahoo.Âcom/group/ÂLanguage-CÂommentarieÂs-of-WDeenÂMohammed/mÂessage/738
Also at this link he gives comments regarding the Short Life of the Khalifah's and why it was short lived I thought was interestinÂg.
http://groÂups.yahoo.Âcom/group/ÂLanguage-CÂommentarieÂs-of-WDeenÂMohammed/mÂessage/588â€
Abu Bakr first claimed to be the Khalifatu'r-Rasulillah (the successor or 'one who comes after' the Messenger of God). In his first speech, he did not claim any special spiritual status - even telling Muslims to correct him if we went astray.
Umar then claimed to be the "Commander of the Faithful" (amr al-Mumineen).
Uthman then went further and propped himself as the "Khalifatu'llah" (Vicegerent of God).
The position of 'Ali ibn Abi Talib was radically different - he saw himself as as the rightful Khalifa (vicegerent) of the Prophet and God, and as the supreme leader (Imam) of the Ummah by virtue of being from the Prohpet's Ahl al-Bayt (People of the House). This is essentially the Shi'a position.
Madelung's "The Succession to Muhammad" is an essential read to see what REALLY happened in this so called "Golden Age" of "rightly guided" Khalifas.
Besides the Ahmadiyya who follow a Khlifafat today, there is only one Shi'a Muslim branch - the Isma'ilis - which follows a present and living hereditary Imam directly descended from 'Ali ibn Abi Talib.
While Ali strived mightily to maintain the unity of the followers of Muhammad, the usurpation of power by Abu Bakr (of the Umayya clan), who had threatened the use of force against Ali, caused the irrevocable rupture between the two major factions of Islam. This apparently occurred before the earthly remains of the Prophet even had a chance to cool.
Harris Zafar's perspective is very clearly that of the Ahmadiyya Islamic community. They're certainly welcome to their opinion, but don't confuse their perspective on the caliphate for what the vast majority of Muslims - Sunni or Shia - believe today.
This wikipedia link has a good bit of the Ahmadiyya perspective on the caliphate, along with how most Sunnis and Shia, and other fringe groups such as Al Qaida, approach this issue.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caliphate
The lack of such leadership is cause of all problem for the Muslim world, in fact its not that such caliphate does not exist, its just that they are not able to see it yet, i mean Ahmadiyya Khilafat. Thats reason why they are victim of misinterpretations of Quran. We needed a successor to Prophet hood so that we are able to see true peaceful Islam and practice it. Thats reason why Ahmadi Muslims are able to see what others cant.
Suhail Kausar
But more important, can we really compare the khalifa with these Prophets?
The definition of 'caliphate' described here is simply your definition, I'm sure there are many muslims scholars and leaders who define it exactly as the fear-mongers do. The conclusion you are aiming at is absolutely correct - we need not fear an islamic caliphate because the vast majority of muslims have no desire to impose the will of their religion on the world, or themselves for that matter.
and Ahmadi Muslims give this version of correct definition and proof of its correctness is we have it too.
Ahemediaas are the most persecuted sect within Islam and they may not agreee with the views of the author.
( is) a Theocracy? Yeah they have really shown to work out well. In your defense a Kaliphate has no interest in imposing itself on Christians or any other Religion...as long as they pay a levy. ( Might be incorrect)