The Caliphate: Its Relevance and Necessity in the Current Age

[mota bhai 2,675]

By Shafiul Huq
July 10, 2014

For Muslims, the Caliphate is not just another empire that existed during a certain period of history. Rather, Muslims consider its establishment a divine command because it is the institution through which Muslims implement divine laws in society and convey the call to Islam to the rest of the world.

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The Caliphate is the general leadership of Muslims responsible for the implementation of Islamic law, the Shari’ah. The implementation of the Shari’ah means that the laws adopted and implemented are based on the primary Islamic texts – the Qur’an and the Sunnah (tradition) of the Prophet Muhammad (may peace be upon him) – and have been derived through an Islamically valid legal methodology.

Muslims, like many other civilizations, have experienced ups and downs. There has been infighting, political turmoil, multiple claims to the seat of the Caliph and all the other problems that civilizations normally face. Yet despite these challenges, for almost 1300 years, the Qur’an and the Sunnah have remained the primary sources of law for Muslims.

There were misapplications of the Shari’ah by certain rulers, yet there was never a blatant rejection of the primary Islamic texts as the only sources of law, nor was there ever an explicit reference to foreign sources for legislative purposes. There were autonomous regions, such as the Indian subcontinent, but those Muslims nevertheless identified themselves as being part of a global Ummah (nation). In fact, despite being administratively autonomous, the different dynasties ruling over India derived their legitimacy from the Caliph at the time, whether during the Abbasid or the Ottoman era. Therefore, the Caliphate was not merely a pipe dream, but a living reality for Muslims, and an essential aspect of their civilization.

This is in stark contrast to today in the Muslim lands where the different Muslim countries are divided according to the model of the modern nation state, a product of European colonialism, and their systems of governance are either monarchic, autocratic, or secular-democratic.

Despite some countries attempting to govern according to Islamic laws, such as Saudi Arabia or Iran, their legislation is not derived from Islamic sources. Whatever aspect of the Shari’ah is implemented in these countries, they are usually chosen based on convenience rather than a rigorous jurisprudential process.

Modernity’s imposition on Muslims of systems and values alien to their beliefs, and the changing of their traditional way of life, where the Islamic laws and values were the lifeblood of society, have left Islamic lands in turmoil and the Muslims there intent on returning to their traditions.

This aspiration to return to an Islamic way of life under the Caliphate is not a utopian dream ... Neither is it a false delusion that problems will not exist in the Caliphate. Rather, it is to call for a different set of solutions to the problems faced by humans: solutions that are in line with the beliefs and values of Muslims, instead of solutions imposed by foreign powers.

Islamic thought provides a unique perspective towards life. And Islamic jurisprudence is rich and robust enough to provide legal answers to new questions that may arise with the progress of time. The call for a Caliphate is merely a call to organize society on this basis, as Muslims have done for thirteen centuries. Unless Muslim lands see a radical structural change that brings their systems of governance in line with the beliefs and values of the people, progress is unlikely in that part of the world.

Therefore the Caliphate is not only relevant, but the only effective way of dealing with the problems plaguing the Muslim world today. In fact, expecting otherwise and hoping that the secular regimes and their systems can provide effective governance is indeed a romantic ideal – a “pipe dream.”

http://thediplomat.com/2014/07/the-caliphate-its-relevance-and-necessity-in-the-current-age/

[Jacque67 7,328]

What is it with these religions trying to convert people? At least in the Jewish religion you can only be a true Jew through your mother! People need to get more exclusive;)

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

One thing is surely true. Our founding fathers got it right when they separated Govt and Religion.

[mota bhai 2,675]

What is it with these religions trying to convert people?

That is the source of their influence.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

One thing is surely true. Our founding fathers got it right when they separated Govt and Religion.

If only everyone would recognize that. Too bad that the American Taliban fights tooth and nail to undo that wise set-up.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

If only everyone would recognize that. Too bad that the American Taliban fights tooth and nail to undo that wise set-up.

I actually agree with you, and I always ask them. So you want prayer in school. How you gonna feel when the Muslim principal leads them in bowing to Mecca.

[Jacque67 7,328]

That is the source of their influence.

Ridiculous really. The Jewish people have managed to obtain positions of power in the States without trying to convert every Tom, ####### and Harry.