Discussion over Theological and Political Foundations of Caliphate in Islam

The institution of the Caliphate in Islam has an honourable place among Muslims therefore it has been discussed by many scholars throughout Islamic history. Muslim scholars have conducted investigations into the institution of Caliphate to find out whether it is based on religious or political grounds and its significance for Muslim nations while Western scholars deemed it as politic authority hence constituted their views accordingly. When the Caliphate was abolished by the secular Turkish government in 1924, various views have been articulated to understand if a religious institution can be abolished by any state. There are three views among Muslim scholars regarding the Caliphate; the first view: Caliphate is a sacred institution, it is universal and necessary for all Muslims; the second view: it is a political institution and was established according to the needs of Muslims; the third view: there is no such institution in Islam nor is there a need for it. It is imperative to examine Islamic sources to identify the nature of Caliphate, its theological and political values. This essay will investigate the meaning and the objectives of Caliphate in Islamic history and will also analyse the efforts of Modern Muslims to revitalize it.