Meaning of the Word 'Caliph'
The word 'Caliph' is the English form of the Arabic word 'Khalifa,' which is short
for Khalifatu Rasulil-lah. The latter expression means Successor
to the Messenger of God, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him).
The title 'Khalifatu Rasulil-lah'. was first used for Abu Bakr, who was elected
head of the Muslim community after the death of the Prophet.
The Significance of the Caliphate
The mission of Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him), like that of the earlier messengers
of God, was to call people to the worship of and submission to the One True God.
In practice, submission to God means to obey His injunctions as given in the Holy
Qur'an and as exemplified by Sunnah (the practice of the Prophet). As successor
to the Prophet, the Caliph was the head of the Muslim community and his primary
responsibility was to continue in the path of the Prophet. Since religion was perfected
and the door of Divine revelation was closed at the death of the Prophet, the Caliph
was to make all laws in accordance with the Qur'an and the Sunnah. He was a ruler
over Muslims but not their sovereign since sovereignty belongs to God alone. He
was to be obeyed as long as he obeyed God. He was responsible for creating and maintaining
conditions under which it would be easy for Muslims to live according to Islamic
principles, and to see that justice was done to all. Abu Bakr, at the time he accepted
the caliphate, stated his position thus:
"The weak among you shall be strong with me until their rights have been vindicated;
and the strong among you shall he weak with me until, if the Lord wills, I have
taken what is due from them... Obey me as long as I obey God and His Messenger.
When I disobey Him and His Prophet, then obey me not."
The Rightly-Guided Caliphs (Al-Khulafa-ur-Rashidun)
Those Caliphs who truly followed in the Prophet's foot steps are called 'The Rightly-Guided
Caliphs' (Al-Khulafa-ur Rashidun in Arabic). They are the first four Caliphs: Abu
Bakr, 'Umar, Uthman and Ali. All four were among thc earliest and closest Companions
of the Prophet (peace be on him). They lived simple and righteous lives and strove
hard for the religion of God. Their justice was impartial, their treatment of others
was kind and merciful, and they were one with the people - the first among equals.
After these four, the later Caliphs assumed the manners of kings and emperors and
the true spirit of equality of ruler and ruled diminished to a considerable extent
in the political life of Muslims.
It should be clearly understood that the mission of Prophet Muhammad (peace be on
him), and hence that of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs, was not political, social or
economic reform, although such reforms were a logical consequence of the success
of this mission, nor the unity of a nation and the establishment of an empire, although
the nation did unite and vast areas came under one administration, nor the spread
of a civilization or culture, although many civilizations and cultures developed,
but only to deliver the message of God to all the peoples of the world and to invite
them to submit to Him, while being the foremost among those who submitted.
What About the Present?
The primary responsibility of an Islamic government is still the same as it was
in the days of the early Caliphs: to make all laws in accordance with the Qur'an
and the Sunnah, to make positive efforts to create and maintain conditions under
which it will be possible and easy for Muslims to live an Islamic life, to secure
impartial and speedy justice for all, and to strive hard in the path of God. Any
government which is committed to such a policy is truly following the message delivered
by the Prophet (peace be on him).