Some recent posts seem to emphasize that it exists and is very significant, but I really did not grasp it.
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What is the distinction between a Khilafah and a Caliphate?
- Thread starter LuisDantas
- Start date
DawudTalut
Peace be upon you.
Peace be on you.
QUOTE
Khilafat and Caliphate
The commonly used English words ‘Caliph’ and ‘Caliphate’ are both taken and transformed from the Arabic terms ‘khalifa’ and ‘khilafat’.
The term ‘caliph’ is in English use since 1393, and ‘caliphate’ since 1614.
..
For our discussion, we would like to make a distinction between “khilafat” and “caliphate” for reasons other than mere etymological development of the words.
In Arabic “khalifa” means “successor/deputy/vicegerent”, and “khilafat” is the dominion of a khalifa, or the institution that runs under the leadership of a khalifa.
In English, “caliph” is the chief civil and political Muslim ruler regarded as a successor of Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him).
But in the Holy Quran, the words khalifa (in singular) and khulafa or khalaa’if (in plural) have wider connotations than “caliph” and “caliphs” in English.
For example, the Holy Quran uses the title of “khalifa on the earth” for Prophet Adam as “God’s deputy or vicegerent on the earth” (2:31). In Arabic we can call him Khalifa-tul-Allah but we cannot call him as ‘God’s Caliph.’ Similarly, David is called a “khalifa”, a vicegerent of God in the Holy Quran: ‘O David! We have made you a khalifa (vicegerent) in the earth; so judge between men with justice and follow not vain desires, lest it should lead you astray from the way of Allah.’ (38:27). But we never say “Caliph David” in the English language; he is called “King David”.
Moreover, in the Holy Quran the words khalaa’if and khulafa (plural of khalifa) have been used for some nations or specific generations in the sense that God did a great favor to them and made them dominant over the earth: “And remember the time when He made you as khulafa after the people of Noah, and increased you abundantly is constitution.” (7:75). “And remember the time when He appointed you as khulafa after ‘Ad, and assigned you an abode in the land.” (7:75). But in English we do not refer to any nation or generation as “Caliphs.”
MORE ASPECTS, @
https://www.alislam.org/topics/khilafat/khilafat-and-caliphate.pdf
QUOTE
Khilafat and Caliphate
The commonly used English words ‘Caliph’ and ‘Caliphate’ are both taken and transformed from the Arabic terms ‘khalifa’ and ‘khilafat’.
The term ‘caliph’ is in English use since 1393, and ‘caliphate’ since 1614.
..
For our discussion, we would like to make a distinction between “khilafat” and “caliphate” for reasons other than mere etymological development of the words.
In Arabic “khalifa” means “successor/deputy/vicegerent”, and “khilafat” is the dominion of a khalifa, or the institution that runs under the leadership of a khalifa.
In English, “caliph” is the chief civil and political Muslim ruler regarded as a successor of Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him).
But in the Holy Quran, the words khalifa (in singular) and khulafa or khalaa’if (in plural) have wider connotations than “caliph” and “caliphs” in English.
For example, the Holy Quran uses the title of “khalifa on the earth” for Prophet Adam as “God’s deputy or vicegerent on the earth” (2:31). In Arabic we can call him Khalifa-tul-Allah but we cannot call him as ‘God’s Caliph.’ Similarly, David is called a “khalifa”, a vicegerent of God in the Holy Quran: ‘O David! We have made you a khalifa (vicegerent) in the earth; so judge between men with justice and follow not vain desires, lest it should lead you astray from the way of Allah.’ (38:27). But we never say “Caliph David” in the English language; he is called “King David”.
Moreover, in the Holy Quran the words khalaa’if and khulafa (plural of khalifa) have been used for some nations or specific generations in the sense that God did a great favor to them and made them dominant over the earth: “And remember the time when He made you as khulafa after the people of Noah, and increased you abundantly is constitution.” (7:75). “And remember the time when He appointed you as khulafa after ‘Ad, and assigned you an abode in the land.” (7:75). But in English we do not refer to any nation or generation as “Caliphs.”
MORE ASPECTS, @
https://www.alislam.org/topics/khilafat/khilafat-and-caliphate.pdf
DawudTalut
Peace be upon you.
To make more easy.
1== The 4 rightly guided successors of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) were Khulafa [plural of Khalifah]. Their domain was Khilafat.
2== Latter on, political angle was added in, leaders were Caliphs with domain Caliphate.
3== From Ahmadiyya Point of view:
i---- Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) was a Prophet. When he migrated to Madina, he was requested to assume the administration too. He was a Prophet basically but also became head of state.........After him, his 4 Successors were obviously came on the same line; spiritual+administration
ii---- But Ahmadiyya Promised Messiah [the ardent devotee of Holy Prophet s.a.w.] came with spiritual and moral power only. He came in the metaphorically in colour of Jesus i.e. with no-government. He came with spiritual and moral reforms and he has mentioned it clearly........After him, his Successors are following his line i.e. they have no-government, only spiritual and moral guidance. That is why, currently Ahmadiyya Community is officially present in 204 countries with one Khalifah as their spiritual, moral guide. They are taught to be the best citizen of their homelands, (as Holy Prophet s.a.w. has taught so). Ahmadiyya Khilafat has clearly said they have no political ambitions and the reason has been provided above. Their motive is to take the real peaceful message of Islam to the ends of the earth [Ref: writtings of Ahmadiyya Promised Messiah, 2nd Ahmadiyya Khalifah
and Current Ahmadiyya Khalifah V (a.t.) @ alislam.org]
1== The 4 rightly guided successors of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) were Khulafa [plural of Khalifah]. Their domain was Khilafat.
2== Latter on, political angle was added in, leaders were Caliphs with domain Caliphate.
3== From Ahmadiyya Point of view:
i---- Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) was a Prophet. When he migrated to Madina, he was requested to assume the administration too. He was a Prophet basically but also became head of state.........After him, his 4 Successors were obviously came on the same line; spiritual+administration
ii---- But Ahmadiyya Promised Messiah [the ardent devotee of Holy Prophet s.a.w.] came with spiritual and moral power only. He came in the metaphorically in colour of Jesus i.e. with no-government. He came with spiritual and moral reforms and he has mentioned it clearly........After him, his Successors are following his line i.e. they have no-government, only spiritual and moral guidance. That is why, currently Ahmadiyya Community is officially present in 204 countries with one Khalifah as their spiritual, moral guide. They are taught to be the best citizen of their homelands, (as Holy Prophet s.a.w. has taught so). Ahmadiyya Khilafat has clearly said they have no political ambitions and the reason has been provided above. Their motive is to take the real peaceful message of Islam to the ends of the earth [Ref: writtings of Ahmadiyya Promised Messiah, 2nd Ahmadiyya Khalifah
and Current Ahmadiyya Khalifah V (a.t.) @ alislam.org]
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It is still not very clear to me.
It seems that "Caliph" is mainly a political title of authority, while a Khalifa is understood to be a proxy of sorts for a higher authority (or perhaps only of God himself)?
Does it come down to simply acknowledging that a Caliph has political or military influence but not necessarily in accordance to God's will, while a Khalipha is by definition given God's blessing?
It seems that "Caliph" is mainly a political title of authority, while a Khalifa is understood to be a proxy of sorts for a higher authority (or perhaps only of God himself)?
Does it come down to simply acknowledging that a Caliph has political or military influence but not necessarily in accordance to God's will, while a Khalipha is by definition given God's blessing?
Khilafah is the title of the one who should succeeds the the prophet SAWW ...
Caliphate is the name of the state that is lead by the Khilafah .
In Shia islam it is Allah who chooses the prophets and also it is Allah who chooses the successors of the prophets...
Sunnis have different view...
And Salafis are religious groups who were sunnis.
Some Salafis see Al Qaeda, taliban and ISIS as sacred Caliphate basis.
So your view (and perhaps the usual Shia view) is that Caliph is simply a western spelling of Khilafah? Or do you recognize the two as valid yet different concepts?
Also, by your view a Khilafah must by definition have God's Blessing (and fulfill other requisites as well) in order to be legitimate, is that right?
I understand that Shias will generaly have a lot of mistrust of ISIS, isn't that right?
seeking4truth
Active Member
When believers are obedient to God and following His guidelines as demonstrated and taught by His prophets God supports them with a Calif/Khalifah and that support brings success in social and spiritual progress. Prophets are called khalifahs as are those who lead the believers after the death of a prophet.
Once believers abandon the ways of piety and follow their own political motives God's support seems to diminish and unity disintegrates.
Observe all believers today and see if you can find any group led by a Calif who are making progress with the help and support of God. There you may find better guidance.
Once believers abandon the ways of piety and follow their own political motives God's support seems to diminish and unity disintegrates.
Observe all believers today and see if you can find any group led by a Calif who are making progress with the help and support of God. There you may find better guidance.
DawudTalut
Peace be upon you.
Peace be on you.
Seems that you are viewing name of Khilafat being used by some groups who are advancing in militant ways in Arab regions. You can ask your inner self, could that be a way of God? or way of Prophet who came for all humanity. Calling a thorn, a rose, does not make it rose!
Please see from this angle:
Holy Prophet (peace and blessing of Allah be on him) foretold:
1- “Prophethood will remain among you as long as Allah wills. Then Allah, the Exalted will take it away.”
2- “Then Khilafat on the lines of Prophethood shall commence as long as Allah wills. Then Allah, the Exalted will take away this.”
3-“Then tyrannical monarchy would be established, it will be there as long as Allah wills. Then Allah, the Exalted will take it away.”
4- “Then despotic kingship would emerge. It will stay as long as Allah wills. Then Allah, the Exalted will take it way.”
5-“Then (again), Khilafat on the precept of Prophethood shall be established. Then he became silent.”
(Narrated by Companion Huzaifa (r.a), Musnad Ahmad, Mishkaat)
Please see the various era mentioned in this Hadith [saying of Holy Prophet s.a.w.]
More aspects about Khilafat: https://www.alislam.org/topics/khilafat/
You can also check
PORTUGUESE: wwwDOTahmadia.pt/
SPANISH: wwwDOTahmadiyya.es/
OTHER LANGUAGES: wwwDOTalislam.org/languages.html
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Assad91
Shi'ah Ali
They have been killing innocents with a special eye on shia.
They are both the same, Luis. Khilafa is the arabic word for Caliphate. Nevertheless, the arabic one has more meanings than the pure English political one. The first mention of Khilafa was in the Quran through the root word Caliph.
And [mention, O Muhammad], when your Lord said to the angels, "Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority." They said, "Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we declare Your praise and sanctify You?" Allah said, "Indeed, I know that which you do not know." Quran 2:30
The Quranic term refer to man, Adam and humanity as a whole who are supposed to worship God and do good on earth. Then there is the islamopolitical term which was used to describe the appointed Caliph who supposed to govern the state since it was not allowed in islam to have kings but a president like ruler who is mostly elected by the Shura council. Though sometimes a ruler would come without the council approval.
And [mention, O Muhammad], when your Lord said to the angels, "Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority." They said, "Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we declare Your praise and sanctify You?" Allah said, "Indeed, I know that which you do not know." Quran 2:30
The Quranic term refer to man, Adam and humanity as a whole who are supposed to worship God and do good on earth. Then there is the islamopolitical term which was used to describe the appointed Caliph who supposed to govern the state since it was not allowed in islam to have kings but a president like ruler who is mostly elected by the Shura council. Though sometimes a ruler would come without the council approval.
Thank you Assad,
The word 'distrust' in the question was inappropriate.
Also, my answer with two words for the question containing that word became misleading.
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