The essay by Reza Pankhurst explores the decline of the caliphate up until its formal abolition in 1924, highlighting its transformation from a powerful institution to a mere symbolic figurehead. The caliphate originally served as a centralized political authority in Islam but became hereditary over time. Pankhurst discusses the historical and theoretical frameworks surrounding the caliphate, including differing views on its selection, authority, and legitimacy. The analysis reveals the complex evolution of Islamic political theory regarding governance, reflecting waning popular involvement in leadership selection and advocating for a potentially reformed model grounded in the original principles of shared authority among Muslims.
Caliphate
Let’s Be Real – A Response
Dr Reza Pankhurst critiques the podcast with Dr. Yasir Qadhi, arguing that real change for the Muslim ummah cannot come from within the current world order, which serves Western interests. The establishment of an Islamic state (Khilafa) is deemed crucial for defending and uniting Muslims, contrasting YQ's view of it as a low-priority, idealistic goal.
Accounting the Caliph – From Rebellion to Quietism
Rebellion and Islam - when the appointment of the Islamic rulers became akin to a hereditary process, was rebellion the natural outcome? And did restricting rebellion restrict the choice of the umma?
لا تبك من أجل غزة –بل ابك على نفسك
تقديم الصدقات والعمل لزيادة الوعي على الجرائم الصهيونية - هذه كلها أفعال يجب أن نقوم بها في هذا الوقت للمساعدة في التخفيف الفوري للأزمة بأي وسيلة فعالة. ولكن هذه كلها ليست كافية
Don’t cry for Gaza – save your tears for yourself
The ongoing oppression of Muslims worldwide, particularly in Gaza, requires urgent action beyond temporary solutions. True liberation necessitates rejecting nationalism for a unified Islamic polity.
The Weighty Burden of Responsibility
Hadith 13 You are eager for leadership and it is truly a regret and a sorrow on the Day of Judgement, what a good wet nurse and what an evil weanerإِنَّكُمْ سَتَحْرِصُونَ عَلَى الإِمَارَةِ وَإِنَّهَا سَتَكُونُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ حَسْرَةً وَنَدَامَةً فَنِعْمَتِ الْمُرْضِعَةُ وَبِئْسَتِ الْفَاطِمَةُ(Bukhari) Hadith 14 O Abu Dharr, you are weak, and it is … Continue reading The Weighty Burden of Responsibility
Positions of Ruling are not to be chased
Hadith 12 Abu Musa narrated – I entered upon the Messenger of Allah with two men from the bani umaay,so one of the two men said – O Messenger of Allah appoint me over some of that which Allah made you responsible for, and the other man also said something similar So the Prophet replied … Continue reading Positions of Ruling are not to be chased
The Imam is Responsible for the Ummah
Hadith 11 Each of you is a guardian and each of you is questioned over his subjects, the Imam who is responsible over the people and he is questioned over his responsibility, and the man is responsible over the people of his household and he is questioned over them, and the woman is responsible over … Continue reading The Imam is Responsible for the Ummah
Islamic Rule – Principles of Sources of Law
Hadith 8 “How will you judge if a case is brought to you?”Mu’ath replied “I would judge by the Book of Allah” to which the Prophet asked “And if you do not find (an answer) in the book of Allah?”Mu’ath said “Then by the sunnah of the Messenger of Allah”. The Prophet then asked “and … Continue reading Islamic Rule – Principles of Sources of Law
Islamic Rule – The Islamic Aqeedah is the basis for the State and its expansion
Hadith 6 It has been narrated on the authority of Junida bin Abu Umayya who said: We called upon 'Ubada bin as-Samit who was ill and said to him: May God give you health - narrate to us a tradition which God may prove beneficial (to us) and which you have heard from the Messenger … Continue reading Islamic Rule – The Islamic Aqeedah is the basis for the State and its expansion