The Fruits of Eman (6): Khilafah

Continuing our study of the fruits of eman, here are some additional fruits that spring from the tree of eman:

15) The Khalifa

In Surah Noor, Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says:

وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنكُمْ وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَيَسْتَخْلِفَنَّهُم فِي الْأَرْضِ كَمَا اسْتَخْلَفَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ وَلَيُمَكِّنَنَّ لَهُمْ دِينَهُمُ الَّذِي ارْتَضَى لَهُمْ وَلَيُبَدِّلَنَّهُم مِّن بَعْدِ خَوْفِهِمْ أَمْنًا يَعْبُدُونَنِي لَا يُشْرِكُونَ بِي شَيْئًا وَمَن كَفَرَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فَأُوْلَئِكَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ

Translation: Allah has promised, to those among you who believe and work righteous deeds, that He will, of a surety, grant them in the land, , inheritance (of power), … [when] they worship Me (alone) and not associate aught with Me. (Surah Noor, verse 55)¹

Now, Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) promised–promised!–those who believe (have eman) and do good deeds, the khilafa on this Earth. And Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) does not need to promise anything. But He promises it anyway.

This verse shows that khilafa is from eman and tawhid. Notice the pre-condition: those who believe and do good deeds, i.e. eman and tawhid.

And remember, the Prophet (peace be upon him) spent 13 years in Mecca focused purely on eman and tawhid, belief in Allah alone. It came even before salaah (which started late in Meccan times) and many prohibitions like alcohol. Unfortunately, today, we have many groups who do not start where the Prophet, peace be upon him, started, nor do they aim for what he aimed for.