Title: The 'Fardh' of Establishing Khilaafah Compared with the Obligation of 'Sala'h' Question: The question is interestingly posed [1] : ...give me one commandment from the Qur'an itself where it states categorically and unambiguously that to establish the Khilafah is fard on the Muslims... All Muslims throughout our history have agreed that Salat is Fard - it is a basic duty one perfroms 5 times a day, 7 days a year [2] . I would be interested if you or the brother can:- define what is meant by fard - give me one Quranic verse which states "categorically and unambiguously" that salat is Fard on us to pray 5 times a day. The point I make here is the question is wrong as is your answer. The question illustrates this better than I can probably elaborate abstractly ia. Answer: You write: define what is meant by fard I think the term has been adequately defined in Usul Al-Shashee as: 'Fardh' literally means to set limits. Relating to the Shari`ah , it refers to the limits set by it in the sense that they are neither subject to any addition or any deduction. In the Shari`ah , it is used for those things which are proven by clear and unequivocal evidence, wherein there is no doubt and it requires action according to it and belief in it. Or as Al-Jurjaaniy has explained it ( Al-Ta`reefaat ) 'Fardh' is that which is proven by a clear and unequivocal evidence, wherein there is no doubt. The person who refutes it is a rejecter and a person who does not abide by it is punishable. Or as has been given in 'Anees al-Fuqahaa' : 'Fardh' literally means definiteness and setting limits. As a term of the Shari`ah , it implies a directive which is proven by a clear and unequivocal evidence. It implies that a person who, without any excuse, does not abide by it, has to be punished and a person who refutes it is a rejecter. You write: ... give me one Quranic verse which states "categorically and unambiguously" that salat is Fard on us to pray 5 times a day. The Qur'an has consistently - clearly and unequivocally - directed to establish prayer, it has mentioned it as a permanent attribute of the believers, and it has 'clearly and unambiguously' declared: Indeed prayer - at the prescribed timings - is made obligatory upon the believers. These are adequately clear, unequivocal and unambiguous directives on the basis of which I hold that it is 'Fardh' upon every Muslim to offer prayers. As far as the method and timing of the prayer is concerned, it was promulgated by the Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh). The method is not given in the Qur'an, as it was already known to those who were the direct addressees of the Qur'an. Nevertheless, the fact that offering 'Al-Sala'h' is fardh , is not at all hidden from even an average reader of the Qur'an. You write: The point I make here is the question is wrong as is your answer. The question illustrates this better than I can probably elaborate abstractly ia. My dear brother, if the Qur'an or the Sunnah have given any clear, unambiguous and unequivocal directive regarding the establishment of 'khilaafah' , you should have no objections in providing it. However, if you think that things can be considered obligatory on bases other than clear, unambiguous and unequivocal directives of the Qur'an and the Sunnah , then please do let me know what are those bases. In all honesty, I have not found a single, even remotely comparable directive in the Qur'an or the Sunnah , which obliges the Muslims to establish 'Khilaafah' , as it has given directives for the establishment of Sala'h . I am sure that you must have found a comparable directive for the establishment of Khilaafah , or else you would not have given it the same status as that of establishing Sala'h - i.e. a 'fardh'. March 1, 2001 [1] Reference is to one of my previous responses titled ' Are there any Directives Regarding the Reestablishment of Khilaafah '. [2] The author probably meant, 7 days a week.