Question:
Does the Caliphate represent the integration of spiritual authority and temporal power to function as the legitimate sovereign of the Umma?
Answer:
As-salamu Alaikum,
The Caliphate/Khilafah is the system of leadership in Islam that was implemented by the Prophet (pbuh) in Medina and followed by his closest companions after his passing away. It is the only legitimate system of Islamic leadership accepted by all traditional scholars.
The Khalifa represents the Prophet (pbuh) in the issues that deal with managing the affairs of the Muslim ummah, primarily in a temporal sphere. However the Khalifa, as a representative of the Prophet (pbuh) also derives spiritual support from the Saints that are living at that time. As Naqshbandis and Sunnis we believe the spiritual inheritance of the Prophet (pbuh) is passed on through the Golden Chain from one Sufi master to the next. However, political or temporal power is held by the Khalifa, sometimes known as the Sultan.
In rare cases the Spiritual and Temporal str integrated in one leader, as in the cases of Hz Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (ra) and Hz Ali ibn Abi-Talib (ra), but in most cases political leadership was separate from spiritual leadership. Most Sultans had spiritual guides who provided counsel, support and conveyed spiritual authority. The Khalifa was always reminded that Allah is Greater and that even the Sultan must submit to Shariah.
As you can appreciate and probably know, the choice of Khalifa, and hence the Caliphate system itself, has been at the root of many wars and discord among the Ummah and has caused many divisions among Muslims. Scholars have debated the requirements of the Khalifa for centuries and have been forced to change the criteria throughout history. It is an extremely sensitive and divisive issue.
We hope this answers your question. And Allah and His Prophet (pbuh) know best.
Hajj Khalid Aboulela
