The Muslim Ummah comprises a comity of nations professing Islam and as such the
Khcept of Khilafat was a “Common Wealth of Nations”. The con-ilafat is different from the traditional concept
of Emperors, Kings, Presidents, etc., who are only tem-poral rulers. It must be borne in mind that Islam does
not believe in separation of religious and worldly affairs.Khilafat is therefore, a religious as well as a political
office. The Khcio-economic complex covering all aspects of life of thealifah was the head of religio-politicoso-
Ummah (the Muslim nation).
Since the KhMuslim Umniah, the history of the Khalifah was the religio-political head of theilafat, in fact, is the
history of the Ummah.
It becomes less significant if some Khpious or if the Khilafat became hereditary and was con-alifahs were less
fined within certain families such as the Umayyads,Abbasids, Ottomans etc. In spite of the shortcomings of
some Khity of the Ummah. The revolts against them would bealifahs, they represented the collective author-
termed as khuruj (sedition) and would be condemned.
The Khof government. Every Khilafat on the whole presented an exemplary formalifah was aware of the new
world order ushered in by the Prophet [s]. He wasaware of his own responsibility and that of his govern-
ment in playing the required role. In the newly con-quered territories, the exploitation of the common man
was brought to an end. Full religious freedom wasgiven to all.
The government even under the less pious iereditaryKhalifahs functioned, within the permissible limits of
Shari’ah (Sacred Law) - the Zakat (poor due) waslevied, the Bayt-ul-Mal (public treasury) was estab-
lished, Justice was dispensed in accordance with theShari’ah, the territorial jurisdiction of the Muslim Empire
was protected, the message of Islam was spread andthe obligations of an Islamic state were fulfilled.
Islam did not describe any particular form of govern-ment. Though a elected form of government is to be
preferred, it cannot be said that hereditary Khun-Islamic. ilafat was
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