INTRODUCTION
Etymology and Definition
The term caliph brings many definition especially when analysed in the light of the world's history. According to Apple dictionary, the word 'caliph' is originated from late Middle English which stems from Old French 'caliphe', from Arabic kalīfa which means 'deputy of god' from the title kalīfat Allah or meaning 'successor of Muhammad’ from the title kalifat rasul Allah or of the Messenger of God from kalafa which is 'succeed'. However it is interesting to note that although caliphate is the English rendition of the Arabic term khilafat, the two terms have different connotations.
In a historical context, a caliph is the chief Muslim civil and religious leader, regarded as the successor of Muhammad. The …show more content…
In a much simpler sense, this is what a Caliph or Caliphate system seeks to achieve.
Importance of Caliphate according to Quran and Sunnah
The importance of establishing the Caliphate is proved in the Qur'an, Sunnah and sayings of the Companions. From the Qur'an, Allah commands Muhammad to judge among the Muslims with His rules where He the Almighty says:
"So judge between them by what Allah has revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging from the Truth that has come to you".
And He says:
"And this (He commands): Judge between them by what Allah has revealed, and follow not their vain desires, but beware of them lest they beguile you from any of that (teaching) which Allah has sent down to …show more content…
This would be a serious deviation from the actual origins and importance 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.
Brief History of the
Etymology and Definition
The term caliph brings many definition especially when analysed in the light of the world's history. According to Apple dictionary, the word 'caliph' is originated from late Middle English which stems from Old French 'caliphe', from Arabic kalīfa which means 'deputy of god' from the title kalīfat Allah or meaning 'successor of Muhammad’ from the title kalifat rasul Allah or of the Messenger of God from kalafa which is 'succeed'. However it is interesting to note that although caliphate is the English rendition of the Arabic term khilafat, the two terms have different connotations.
In a historical context, a caliph is the chief Muslim civil and religious leader, regarded as the successor of Muhammad. The …show more content…
In a much simpler sense, this is what a Caliph or Caliphate system seeks to achieve.
Importance of Caliphate according to Quran and Sunnah
The importance of establishing the Caliphate is proved in the Qur'an, Sunnah and sayings of the Companions. From the Qur'an, Allah commands Muhammad to judge among the Muslims with His rules where He the Almighty says:
"So judge between them by what Allah has revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging from the Truth that has come to you".
And He says:
"And this (He commands): Judge between them by what Allah has revealed, and follow not their vain desires, but beware of them lest they beguile you from any of that (teaching) which Allah has sent down to …show more content…
This would be a serious deviation from the actual origins and importance 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.
Brief History of the