Obligation of the Establishment of Khilaafah Derived from the Qur'an
Question
A brother, on the discussion forum writes: I would like to give you some more evidences inshallah! Allah (azza'wa'jall) says in the Qur'an "and those who disbelieve are allies of one another. (and) if you (Muslims of the whole world collectively) do not do so [i.e.: become allies as one block under one Khalifah (chief Muslim ruler for the whole Muslim world) to make victorious Allah's religion of Islamic monotheism.] there will be fitnah (wars, battles, polytheism) and oppression on the earth" Surah-al-Anfal verse 73 in the noble Qur'an by Mohammed Taqi-ud-din al-Hilali . It has been mentioned in Tafsir-at-Tabari that this is the best interpretation of this verse. This verse is talking about unity of the muslims that it is an obligation to unite behind a single khalifah and there cant be two becuase in sahih muslim: narrated by abu sa'id al-khudri (raa) that the messenger of Allah (saw) said "if the muslim world gave the bai'a (pledge) to two khalifa the first one who was given the bai'a will remain as the khalifah then kill the later one" So from these evidences we can see that it is fard to unite behind a khalifah and from a further Hadith . Muslim: "the one who does not have a bai'a on his neck [of the] khalifah of his time there upon he dies the death of jahiliyah " This Hadith makes having bai'a a fard on all Muslims the only way we can have a bai'a is if there is a khalifah to whom we can give the bai'a in the first place. The only way we can have a Khalifah is if there is a Khilafah and because there is not a Khalifah present today we must work to appoint him.... Can you please comment on these points?
Answer
Let us study the referred verse in its context. Al-Anfaal 8: 72 - 73 reads as: Indeed those, who believed, migrated and the strived with their wealth and their selves, in the way of God, and those who have provided them shelter and have helped them, they are all friends one of the other. Those, who believed and still, not migrated, you are not responsible for them [and their well being] in the least, until they migrate. However, if they call you for help in the name of religion, it is binding upon you to help them, except in case that your help be against a people with whom you have already contracted an agreement [of peace]. And [bear in mind that] God sees whatever you do. And [why would you not help them? While] those who reject, they are helpers one of the other; if you do it not, there shall be persecution in the land and a great disorder. Take a look at these verses and decide for yourselves whether they really mean what the author advocates. The key phrase in the verse is 'if you do it not'. What is the Qur'an referring to? What is it asking the addressees to do? The author has interpreted 'it' in the verse to imply: "become allies as one block under one Khaleefah (chief Muslim ruler for the whole Muslim world) to make victorious Allah's religion of Islamic monotheism". As I understand the verse, in its context, the phrase 'if you do it not' refers to what the Qur'an has directed the Muslims to do in the previous verse, i.e. "if they call you for help in the name of religion, it is binding upon you to help them". Thus, the phrase 'if you do it not', simply means: 'if you help them not'. The reader can easily see which of the two interpretations of the verse is correct. The author writes: It has been mentioned in Tafsir-at-Tabari that this is the best interpretation of this verse. It may be of interest to note that Tabariy has not even mentioned the interpretation, which the author holds to be correct. I would request the author to please quote the words of Tabariy and show his readers what Tabariy has actually mentioned. If it is not possible for him to quote the original words of Tabariy , then he may let me know, I would be willing to post the complete commentary of Tabariy on the referred verse. The remaining part of the message has already been covered in my previous responses on the topic. I hope this helps. February 8, 2001 Answer published by Moiz Amjad Discussion(s) regarding this Question Further Clarification...
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