KHALIFA [Vicegerent of ALLAH (SwT) on the earth]

وَإِذْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ إِنِّي جَاعِلٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ خَلِيفَةً ۖ قَالُوا أَتَجْعَلُ فِيهَا مَنْ يُفْسِدُ فِيهَا وَيَسْفِكُ الدِّمَاءَ وَنَحْنُ نُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدِكَ وَنُقَدِّسُ لَكَ ۖ قَالَ إِنِّي أَعْلَمُ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ {2:30}

[Q2:30] Wa iz qaala rabbuka lil malaaa'ikati innee jaa'ilun fil ardi khaleefatan qaalooo ataj'alu feehaa mai yufsidu feehaa wa yasfikud dimaaa'a wa nahnu nusabbihu bihamdika wa nuqaddisu laka qaala inneee a'lamu maa laa ta'lamoon.

[Q2:30] And when your Lord said to the angels, I am going to place in the earth a khalif, they said: What! Wilt Thou place in it such as shall make mischief in it and shed blood, and we celebrate Thy praise and extol Thy holiness? He said: Surely I know what you do not know.

[Q2:30] Dan (ingatlah) ketika Tuhanmu berfirman kepada Malaikat; “Sesungguhnya Aku hendak menjadikan seorang khalifah di bumi”. Mereka bertanya (tentang hikmat ketetapan Tuhan itu dengan berkata): “Adakah Engkau (Ya Tuhan kami) hendak menjadikan di bumi itu orang yang akan membuat bencana dan menumpahkan darah (berbunuh-bunuhan), padahal kami sentiasa bertasbih dengan memujiMu dan mensucikanMu?” Tuhan berfirman: “Sesungguhnya Aku mengetahui akan apa yang kamu tidak mengetahuinya”.

The literal meaning of khalaf is to come after, follow, succeed etcetera. IN THIS VERSE IT HAS BEEN USED IN THE SENSE OF SUCCEEDING, IN FACT, REPRESENTING ALLAH (SWT) ON THE EARTH, TO EXERCISE HIS AUTHORITY IN TERMS OF "REACTING" TO HIS WILL, AS HIS VICEGERENT. THIS IS THE ‘BASIS OF PROPHETHOOD’.

v  Some schools of thought hold the view that reason and intellect, at the disposal of man, are enough to represent ALLAH (SWT), and there is no need of the delegation of authority.

IN THIS VERSE HOWEVER THE NECESSITY OF A VICEGERENT OF ALLAH (SWT) ON THE EARTH HAS BEEN CONCLUSIVELY PROVED, APPOINTMENT OF WHOM CANNOT AND SHALL NOT BE MADE BY ANY ONE SAVE ALLAH (SWT). 

µ  Khalifatullah, the representative of ALLAH (SWT), is he whom ALLAH (SWT) Himself delegates His authority.

These are they whom We gave the book and the authority and the prophethood;

These are they whom ALLAH (SWT) has guided, so, follow their guidance; (AN-AM 6:89 and 90)

NEITHER THE **CONSENSUS OF PUBLIC OPINION, **NOR A GROUP, **NOR AN INDIVIDUAL HAS THE RIGHT TO REPRESENT THE WILL OF ALLAH (SWT). Even the prophets or the angels did not have the right to say anything in the matter of appointment of the khalifa. ALLAH (SWT) DOES NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO INTERFERE WITH THE EXECUTION OF HIS WILL, NOR CAN ANYONE QUESTION HIM. HERE AND IN MANY OTHER PLACES, DEALING WITH THE DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY, IT HAS BEEN ASSERTED THAT HIS WILL AND CHOICE IS NOT ARBITRARY BUT IS ALWAYS BASED ON THE RECOGNITION OF MERIT.

§  Adam was appointed as His vicegerent, in preference to the angels, on the merit of possessing the knowledge which they (the angels) did not have.

§  According to verse 2:124 of al Baqarah ALLAH (SWT) appointed prophet Ibrahim as the Imam after He had tried Ibrahim with a number of things which he fulfilled, WITH THE CLEAR PROVISION that although there would be Imams in his progeny, but those who were unjust would not receive this authority.

§  In verse 2:247 of al Baqarah, SAUL is appointed as an authority over the people because of his wisdom and strength, in preference to those who claimed to be more worthy than him on account of their worldly position.

§  In verses 38:17 to 26 of al Sad, ALLAH (SWT) appoints DAWUD as His vicegerent on the merit of wisdom, power of judgement and obedience to ALLAH (SWT)'s will.

THE MOST IMPORTANT QUALIFICATIONS, MENTIONED IN THE QUR’AN, ARE GIVEN BELOW:

1.        Untiring and continuous remembrance of ALLAH (SWT), with no drift or diversion under any type of circumstance.

2.        Never giving in to the demands motivated by self-oriented interests.

3.        Following only the divine revelations. Being the first and the foremost in establishing and carrying out every virtue to the point of perfection.

4.        Awareness and wisdom of all laws (physical and moral) made by ALLAH (SWT), and their operation, so as not to make any mistakes; and for this awareness received no guidance or education from any one save ALLAH (SWT).

5.        No type of adversity, crisis or temptation should affect the tranquillity of the mind and the heart, described as sakinah in the Qur’an.

6.        The purity of birth, character and conduct because of which they are the most honoured with ALLAH (SWT). (Hujurat 49: 13), the foremost in faith and virtue, in receiving the rewards, and in their nearness to ALLAH (SWT).  (Waqi-ah 56:10 & 11).

7.        Ruling over the people with justice as pointed out in verse 38:26 of al Sad.

KEEPING IN VIEW THE ABOVE-NOTED QUALITIES, ALLAH (SWT), in verses 3:33 and 34 of Ali Imran, says that He had, on account of certain basic qualities, chosen [1] Adam, [2] Nuh, [3] the descendants of Ibrahim and [4] Imran and [5] the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad), the [6] descendant of Ibrahim through Isma-il.

Ì  The Qur’an does not advocate hereditary rights of succession BUT ASSERTS THAT THIS LINEAGE HAD A DISTINCTIVE DIVINE PECULIARITY for which they had been chosen as vicegerents of ALLAH (SWT). The reason for bestowing this privilege on the descendants of Ibrahim is known to ALLAH (SWT) only, because as said by ALLAH (SWT) in the event of appointing Adam as khalifa, He knows that which His creatures do not know. We must accept the limitations of our knowledge and glorify the grace and justice of ALLAH (SWT).

We have given to Ibrahim's children the book and the wisdom and We gave them a great kingdom. (NISA 4:54)

Ë  The above-noted verse refers to the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) as the last prophet in the lineage of prophet Ibrahim.

Ë  The vicegerency of ALLAH (SWT) did not come to an end after the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad). It continued. In verse 17:77 of Bani Israil the almighty ALLAH (SWT) says: This was Our way with Our messengers whom We had sent before you, and you shall not find any change in our way.

SO IT IS CONFIRMED THAT THERE IS NO CHANGE OR MODIFICATION IN THE PRINCIPLE AND THE METHOD OF APPOINTING HIS VICEGERENT.

v  In verse 24:55 of al Nur it is further made clear that the vicegerency continues after the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) in the same way and manner as was in vogue before him.

v  ACCORDING TO verses 35:31 and 32 of Fatir the holy book, in completed form, was given in inheritance to those servants of ALLAH (SWT) whom He had selected. They belong to the children of Ibrahim excluding those who were zalimin, unjust, meaning those who, at any time in their lives, had worshipped a ghayr-allah (other than ALLAH (SWT)).

v  A careful study the commentary of verse 2:2 of Al-Baqarah makes it clear that Ali ibne Abi Talib was the true vicegerent of ALLAH (SWT), appointed by ALLAH (SWT) and His Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad).

THE HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHUMA SALI ALA MUHAMMAD WA ALA ALI MUHAMMAD) WAS THE ‘PERFECTOS’ OF ADAM'S MISSION OF KHALIFATULLAH ON THE EARTH AND THE EXECUTOR OF THE FINAL WILL OF THE LORD OF THE WORLDS. THEREFORE HIS KHALIFA WAS ALSO CHOSEN AND APPOINTED BY ALLAH (SWT) TO CARRY OUT THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DIVINE OFFICE.

THE CHOICE WAS NOT LEFT TO THE FANCY OF THE PEOPLE, NOR WAS ANY CONSULTATION NEEDED. Inni ja-ilun fil ardi khalifah is an open declaration of His will and decision. LIKEWISE the successor of the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) **could neither be chosen by the companions nor **by the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) himself.

[*] From the "feast of the near relations" to the event of "Ghadir Khum", on the authority of well-known Muslim scholars, it was the will and command of ALLAH (SWT) which the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) had carried out.

[*] History also testifies to the fact that on all occasions, it was Ali who came forward to meet the challenge, and proved his qualities for the entitlement to the divine office of vicegerency, although all the companions had equal opportunities to rise to the occasion.

AFTER THE CONCLUSION AND THE TERMINATION OF THE OFFICE OF PROPHETHOOD, the infinite mercy of the merciful Lord did not leave mankind to go astray, misled by false leaders who usurped temporal authority, BUT COMMANDED the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) to declare the vicegerency of Ali and his progeny (the twelve Imams). The Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad), therefore, appointed Ali ibne Abi Talib as his and ALLAH (SWT)'s khalifa on the earth.

NOW THE PEOPLE HAVE THE FREEDOM OF CHOICE EITHER TO FOLLOW THE DIVINELY CHOSEN IMAMS OR RUN AFTER THE SELF-APPOINTED FALSE LEADERS. Verily, We have shown him (man) the (right) way, be he thankful (and follow it), or be ungrateful (reject it). (DAHR 76:3)

µ  In addition to that which has been stated there are countless merits and qualifications of Ali ibne Abi Talib, mentioned and discussed on the authority of well-known Muslim scholars, in several publications like "The Right Path", "Peshawar Nights" and other books which can be studied to know the truth. It is not possible to refer to all these here.

IN THE COMMENTARY OF OTHER VERSES OF THE QUR’AN, his merits have been mentioned and discussed. They also give conclusive answers to the point of view of those who say that after the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad), [**] the authority for the application of divine legislation has been delegated by ALLAH (SWT) to the faithful followers of Islam in general, therefore, every Muslim is the vicegerent of ALLAH (SWT), to exercise His authority according to the book and the sunnah of the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad). The reference to the book of ALLAH (SWT) and the sunnah (doings and sayings) of the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad), for the sake of justifying their conduct after the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad), appears self-defeating and contradictory, when these two agencies (they purport to follow), as explained above and at many suitable occasions in this book, have irrefutably established the vicegerency of Ali and his progeny, which only the followers of "Muhammad and Ali Muhammad" faithfully accept and follow.