Islam and Democracy (Part 27)

Author: Muhammad Dawood Yusufi Eshaqzahi

Islam and Democracy (Part 27)

Methods of Appointing the Caliph

Based on the preceding discussion and the methods of appointing the caliph, it can be stated that there are four fundamental methods in this regard.

1. Pledge of Allegiance (Bay’ah)

Allamah Ibn Khaldun (RA) writes: “Know that the pledge of allegiance is a covenant and a commitment to obedience. It is as though the person giving allegiance makes a covenant with his ruler to entrust him with the affairs and interests of the Muslims, not to dispute with him in any matter, and to obey him in times of ease and hardship.”

In the past, in order to express this commitment, those giving allegiance would place their hands in the hand of the ruler, an act that resembled a contract between a seller and a buyer. [1]

2. Entrusting the Caliphate to a Particular Person (Istikhlaf)

This was the method employed by Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (RA), who appointed Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) as caliph through the following declaration:

“In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful. This is the covenant written by Abu Bakr ibn Abi Quhafa at the final moments of his worldly life, as he was about to depart from it, and at the first moments of the Hereafter, as he was about to enter it. I have appointed Umar ibn al-Khattab as your caliph after me; listen to him and obey him. I have sought nothing but what is good regarding Allah (SWT), His Messenger, His religion, myself, and you, and I have not fallen short in this matter. If he acts justly, that is what I have known and believed about him; and if he acts otherwise, every person will be responsible for his own actions. I have intended nothing but good, and I have no knowledge of the unseen. (وَسَيَعْلَمُ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا أَيَّ مُنقَلَبٍ يَنقَلِبُونَ) Peace and the mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you.” [2]

This report was narrated by Ibn Abi Shaybah in Tarikh al-Madinah.

3. Appointment through a Consultative Council

The third method is for the preceding ruler to entrust the responsibility of appointing the caliph to a designated group so that they may select the new imam through consultation.

Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) entrusted this responsibility to a council consisting of six of the noble Companions, who selected Usman ibn Affan (RA) from among themselves.

As mentioned in the lengthy narration of Maymun, they said: “O Amir al-Muminin, appoint a successor and designate someone for the caliphate.”

Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) replied: “I do not consider anyone more qualified for this responsibility than these six men, whom the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was pleased with until his death.”

He then mentioned Ali, Usman, al-Zubayr, Talhah, Sad, and Abd al-Rahman (RA) and said [3]: “Let Abdullah ibn Umar also be included with this group, not because he is to have a role in the decision-making but only for his own reassurance.”

4. The Method of Domination and Seizure of Power

This method is an emergency approach that takes place through force and power. It means that a person gains control over the people through his power and compels them to obey and follow him. In such a case, the imamate is considered established for that person, and obedience to his commands is regarded as obligatory upon the people.

An example of this method is the caliphate and rule of Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, who rejected the authority of Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr (RA), had him killed, and established control over the cities and the people. As a result, the people were compelled, whether willingly or unwillingly, to pledge allegiance to him and accept him as their imam and ruler.

To be continued…

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References:

[1] Ibn Khaldun, Al-Muqaddimah, p. 209.

[2] Surah al-Shu’ara: 227.

[3] Shaykh Abd al-Hakim Haqqani, Nizam al-Imarah al-Islamiyyah, translated by Muhammad Dawud Yusufi, p. 63, 1st ed., Maktabah Dar al-Ulum al-Shar’iyyah, 1445 AH.