We as a Khalifah

The purpose of man’s creation (Responsibilities of man)

As we know, human is not made for nothing or for fun, but with a purpose in life. It is stated in (surah al-mukminun 22:115).



”Then did you think that We created you uselessly and that to Us you would not be returned?"

From this ayat, it clearly shows that human are created with their own purpose and reason. Moreover Allah created all creatures for the benefit of mankind. Why human are been created?

There are 3 main purpose why human are created by Allah; that are
1. To worship Allah alone
2. To be the vicegerent of Allah
3. To fulfill the trust (Amanah)


1. To worship Allah alone

To worship Allah can also be known as to ibadah Allah alone. This is the ultimate purpose for all mankind. Ibadah here includes the ritual rites, believe in pillars of islam and all good deeds ,and obey Allah commands.


And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.


So it is an obligation to all mankind to follow Allah commands as the creator of mankind, jinns and the entire universe .

2. To be the vicegerent of Allah

The creation of man was initiated by Allah for a noble purpose. The task khalifah is very important to ensure that this world is rule in peace and justice. So this is not a simple task that can be fulfill by all creation. Allah said in (surah Al-Baqarah 2:30)


And [mention, O Muhammad], when your Lord said to the angels, "Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority." They said, "Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we declare Your praise and sanctify You?" Allah said, "Indeed, I know that which you do not know."

3. To fulfill the trust (Amanah)

The trust is to rule the world in accordance to the will and pleasure of Allah. The task of Khalifah had been offered to the mountain, heaven and earth, but they all refuse to undertake it because the task was too heavy and afraid they cannot fulfill the task. But when this task was offered to the man, they take it. It is mention in (surah Al-Ahzab 33:72).


Indeed, we offered the Trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, and they declined to bear it and feared it; but man [undertook to] bear it. Indeed, he was unjust and ignorant.

We should be proud and honored to be entrusted to become a khalifah who will rule this world in peace and justice.


Amanah for all human(امانة)

There are certain amanah that must be fulfill by each human. That are:-

1.To develop divine attributes in himself which includes goodness, righteousness, truthfulness, justice and other else. These are very important amanah that must be done by all human. If man does not adopt these attributes to himself, he cannot do justice to himself and other fellow being as the vicegerent on the earth .

2. To institute peace and assurance of life and property for all human. It is also to organize humanity into an ordered society capable of utilizing the bounties of Allah in a proper and just way for the benefit of all nations and and not for a privileged group.

3. To establish the law of Allah (Syariah) on earth as stated in the Quran. Nowadays, we are not using and follow the law of Allah. For an example, we use the civil law in determining punishment. We must practice all injunctions of the Quran, leave all the prohibitions, and follow all Allah commandments.

4. To develop earth for the whole ummah so that we can live in a developed country, peace and harmony.


MAN AS KHALIFAH
The definition in literal and technical meaning.



Literal meaning
It derived from the word “خلف” which mean to succeed or to replace a person due to his absence, death or as an honor to the successor.

Technical meaning
KHILAFAH (Arabic) - is used to denote the government of the Muslim state, of which the Khalifa is the head. A workable analogy of Khalifah and Khilafah is president and presidency or king and monarchy. The Khilafah is a fard kifaaya on the Ummah .

The Islamic Khilafah is the way of ruling the Islamic Ummah after the death of the prophet (S.A.W.). The Islamic Khilafah can be rightly guided, i.e., it is according to the prophet's method. The rightly-guided Islamic Khilafah was established at the times of the rightly-guided Khalifahs after the prophet (S.A.W.) (Abu Bakr, Omar, Othman, Ali, and another Khalifah who is frequently mentioned among the rightly-guided Khalifahs; Omar Bin Abdul-Aziz) (R.A.) These Khalifahs were rightly called "the rightly-guided Khalifahs" because one of their unique situation was that they were chosen by the Ummah to rule .

It is also can be refers to the (surah Al-Baqarah 2:30)


And [mention, O Muhammad], when your Lord said to the angels, "Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority." They said, "Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we declare Your praise and sanctify You?" Allah said, "Indeed, I know that which you do not know."


Meaning of khalifah by Islamic scholar.

Ibn Ishaq
Khalifah is a dweller and builder who will built up or develop the earth and inhabit it.

Al-Qurtubi
It is refers to the prophet Adam since he is the first human being create by Allah and being in this world.

Al-Tabari
It refers to the prophet Adam and those who follow him in obedience and implementing justice.

Al-Razi and Ibn Kathir
It refers to the prophet Adam and his descendents .



TYPES OF KHALIFAH
There are two types of khalifah which are khalifah ‘ammah and khalifah khassah. ‘Ammah means general while khassah means specific.

Khalifah ‘Ammah
Khalifah ‘ammah is inclusively to all Muslims and non-Muslims. It is to make this earth comfortable to live. Moreover, khalifah ‘ammah is to fulfill general responsibilities towards Allah, himself, fellow human beings, creatures.

Khalifah Khassah
This type of khalifah is exclusively to Muslims only. Only Muslims can implement Allah’s instructions and commands, and administer life according to His will. It stated in (surah An-nur 24:55).


Allah has promised those who have believed among you and done righteous deeds that He will surely grant them succession [to authority] upon the earth just as He granted it to those before them and that He will surely establish for them [therein] their religion which He has preferred for them and that He will surely substitute for them, after their fear, security, [for] they worship Me, not associating anything with Me. But whoever disbelieves after that - then those are the defiantly disobedient.


General responsibilities of Khalifah (‘Ammah and Khassah)

1. Make yourself good.
As a khalifah, we must make our self in good in both conditions which are good in body and good in spiritual. Good in body means have a perfect and healthy body to lead the people. Moreover, good in spiritual means our mind should always in positive thinking.

2. Helps others become good.
The second responsibility of khalifah is to help others become good. That is mean a khalifah must help his/her people to become good in physical and spiritual.

3. Make the physical world good (clean and beautiful, so it is pleasing to Allah).
This responsibility includes in development of world.

General responsibilities of Khalifah Khassah

1. To act only within the authority (which is delegated by Allah).
O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah , witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah ; indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do. (5:8)

2. To develop and improve life on earth
And to Thamud [We sent] their brother Salih. He said, "O my people, worship Allah ; you have no deity other than Him. He has produced you from the earth and settled you in it, so ask forgiveness of Him and then repent to Him. Indeed, my Lord is near and responsive." (11:6)

3. To perform Amal Salih (Good Deeds)
Allah has promised those who have believed among you and done righteous deeds that He will surely grant them succession [to authority] upon the earth just as He granted it to those before them and that He will surely establish for them [therein] their religion which He has preferred for them and that He will surely substitute for them, after their fear, security, [for] they worship Me, not associating anything with Me. But whoever disbelieves after that - then those are the defiantly disobedient. (24:55)

4. To be best model(Muslim)-will followed by other nations.
You are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah . If only the People of the Scripture had believed, it would have been better for them. Among them are believers, but most of them are defiantly disobedient. (3:10)

5. Show good example to other.
And thus we have made you a just community that you will be witnesses over the people and the Messenger will be a witness over you. And We did not make the qiblah which you used to face except that We might make evident who would follow the Messenger from who would turn back on his heels. And indeed, it is difficult except for those whom Allah has guided. And never would Allah have caused you to lose your faith. Indeed Allah is, to the people, Kind and Merciful.(2:143).


General Function of Khalifah

There are several functions of khalifah. First and foremost is to defense and maintenance of religion. Second is make the decision of legal dispute. Moreover, khalifah is responsible for protection of territory of Islam and responsible to give punishment to wrong doers. Next function of khalifah is provition of troop for guarding the frontiers. Khalifah also responsible for the waging of jihad against Kafir Harbi . Plus, khalifah also manage the organization and collection of zakat and payment of salary and administration of public fund. Khalifah is responsible for appointment of competent officials and personal attention to the detail of the government.

Qualifications of Khalifah by Islamic scholar

1. Al-Mawardi
He said that to be a khalifah, a person must be:-
-male
-adult
-good character
-free from any mental and physical defect
-well verse in Shariah matters
-well verse in administration
-courage
-qurasyh tribe

2. Ibn Khaldun
he stated that to be a khalifah, a person must have this qualification:-
-knowledge, which enables him to make an independent decision
-probity(adalah), because the imamah is a religious and supervise all the other institutions that requires probity.
-competence means that the khalifah is willing to carry out the punishments fixed by shariah.
-free from any senses/ limbs defect.
-qurasyh tribe.

3. General prerequisites to becoming the Khalifah are:
-muslim
-man
-knowledgeable in Islam and be able to make independent decisions if necessary
-have good morals and be trustworthy
-he must be physically able, spiritual, brave, and helpful to protect the ummah against its enemies
-must be politically, military and administratively experienced

Alhamdulillah, hope all the readers can get benefit from it...

Wallahua'lam