Written by: Dr. Abu Jaber Abdullah Damanvi
Mr. Tanveer Akhtar Siddiqui sent a questionnaire regarding the "Caliphate Group". Before addressing the responses to this questionnaire, a few points are presented to help understand this emerging fitna.
Narrated by Abu Huraira (RA), the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
"Hasten to do good deeds before trials come like pieces of a dark night. A man will be a believer in the morning and a disbeliever by evening, or he will be a believer in the evening and a disbeliever by morning, selling his religion for a small worldly gain."
(Muslim, Hadith No. 313, Book of Faith; Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 2195; Musnad Ahmad, Vol. 2, Pg. 304, 523; Mishkat al-Masabih, Hadith No. 5883; Abu Awanah, Vol. 1, Pg. 50)
This hadith establishes that preserving faith during times of trials will be difficult, as such trials will be driven by personal desires (ahwa) and interpret Quran and Hadith according to these desires. They will also resort to reasoning and philosophy, thereby fully representing false sects. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) mentioned seventy-three sects within his Ummah, of which seventy-two would be in Hell and one in Paradise, which is the group adhering to the truth (Al-Jama'ah). Another hadith states:
"There will emerge among my Ummah people in whom desires (ahwa) will flow as the disease of hydrophobia (rabies) flows in its victim, not leaving a single vein or joint except it enters."
(Abu Dawood, Book of Sunnah, Hadith No. 4597; As-Sahihah, Hadith No. 204; Al-Mustadrak, Vol. 1, Pg. 128; Musnad Ahmad, Vol. 4, Pg. 102; Ad-Darimi, Vol. 2, Pg. 241)
From this hadith, it is proven that sects will arise within this Ummah, enslaved by personal desires, with these desires infiltrating their very being like the disease of hydrophobia. These people will interpret the Quran and Hadith in ways that align with their desires, distorting their true meanings, and leading people astray by convincing them that their interpretations are the true meanings of the Quran and Hadith. Those who disagree with their views will be labeled as disbelievers or outcasts from Islam.
Examples from the past include the Khawarij, Rawafid, Jabriya, Qadriya, Mushabbiha, Mu'attala, and other false sects. In the present era, many groups follow this mission, such as the various sects of Hadith rejecters, those who deny the punishment of the grave, the Uthmani Barzakh sect, the Jama'at-ul-Muslimeen (registered), and others. These sects also distort the meanings of the Quran and Hadith and have become subservient to human desires. Consider the following Quranic verses regarding personal desires:
Have you seen he who has taken as his god his [own] desire, and Allah has sent him astray due to knowledge and has set a seal upon his hearing and his heart and put over his vision a veil? So who will guide him after Allah? Will you not then be reminded?
(Al-Jathiya: 23)
This verse shows that someone who follows his desires becomes misguided despite knowledge, with Allah sealing his hearing and heart and covering his vision. Only Allah can guide such a person.
And even if you bring to those who were given the Scripture every sign, they would not follow your qibla. Nor will you be a follower of their qibla. Nor would they be followers of one another's qibla. So if you were to follow their desires after what has come to you of knowledge, indeed, you would then be among the wrongdoers.
(Al-Baqarah: 145)
Allah addresses His beloved Prophet (PBUH), instructing him to follow only the knowledge (Quran and Hadith) revealed to him by Allah. If he were to follow the desires of others, he would be among the wrongdoers. This warning extends to the entire Ummah to follow the Quran and Hadith and avoid personal desires.
And if the Truth had followed their desires, the heavens and the earth and whoever is in them would have been ruined. But We have brought them their reminder, but they, from their reminder, are turning away.
(Al-Mu’minun: 71)
Sayyiduna Auf ibn Malik (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
"My Ummah will be divided into seventy-some sects, the most divided among them will be a people who measure matters by their opinions, declaring the lawful as unlawful and the unlawful as lawful."
(Al-Mustadrak, Vol. 4, Pg. 430; Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir, Vol. 18, Pg. 51; Faqih wal-Mutafaqih, Vol. 1, Pg. 179, 180; Tarikh Baghdad, Vol. 13, Pg. 311-307; Al-Madkhal, Hadith No. 3534; Jami' Bayan al-'Ilm, Vol. 2, Pg. 163; Ibn Hazm's Risalah al-Kubra, Kashf al-Astar, Vol. 1, Pg. 179; Hadith graded Hasan)
The Prophet's (PBUH) prophecy is realized in the emergence of such sects.
Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-'As (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
"Indeed, Allah does not take away knowledge by snatching it from the people, but He takes away knowledge by taking away the scholars until, when no scholar remains, people will take ignorant ones as their leaders. They will be asked, and they will give fatwas without knowledge. They will go astray and lead the people astray."
(
Bukhari: 100; Muslim: 267)
Allah sent His final Messenger, Sayyiduna Muhammad (PBUH), with the true religion to prevail over all other religions. Allah says:
They want to extinguish the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah refuses except to perfect His light, although the disbelievers dislike it. It is He who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to manifest it over all religion, although they who associate others with Allah dislike it.
(At-Tawbah: 32-33)
These verses show that the disbelievers and polytheists have always attempted to extinguish the light of Islam but cannot succeed because Islam is destined to prevail. Besides the disbelievers and polytheists, a third group called hypocrites also plotted against Islam, causing immense harm. They always played the role of hidden enemies, causing more damage than the disbelievers and polytheists by attempting to change the fundamental beliefs and concepts of Islam, creating doubts and misconceptions among people.
One example of their deceit is the claim that the Caliphate rightfully belonged to Sayyiduna Ali (RA) and that the Prophet (PBUH) had appointed him as his successor. They also claim that all the Companions (RA) became apostates after the Prophet's (PBUH) death, except for three. By making such false claims, they try to undermine the validity of the Quran and Hadith presented by the Companions (RA), thereby attempting to uproot Islam.
Another sect called the Khawarij emerged, proclaiming strict adherence to monotheism and the Quran but rejecting the Hadith of the Prophet (PBUH). They labeled everyone except themselves as disbelievers, particularly targeting Sayyiduna Ali (RA) and Sayyiduna Muawiyah (RA) as disbelievers. Sayyiduna Ali (RA) commented on their stance: "A word of truth used to imply falsehood."
(Muslim: 1066)
This means that while their slogan was correct, their interpretation was flawed, and they wanted to impose their erroneous understanding on others.
The Prophet (PBUH) foretold about this takfiri sect:
(Muslim: 2469; Ibn Majah: 70)
(Sahih Bukhari, Book of Apostates and those who wage war and their fighting, Chapter 6, Hadith No. 2930; Book of Virtues, Chapter 25, Hadith No. 3611; Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 2461; Mishkat al-Masabih, Hadith No. 3535)
In another narration by Sayyiduna Abu Barzah (RA), it is mentioned:
"There will emerge in the last days a people who appear to be from this man’s progeny."
(Al-Nasai: 4108 with a good chain of narration)
(Tirmidhi: 3000, with a good chain; Ibn Majah: 176, Mishkat al-Masabih: 3554)
"Fitnah is from here, where the horn of Satan rises."
(Bukhari: 7093; Muslim: 2905)
The area to the east of Madinah includes Iraq, Iran, and the regions of Pakistan and India (Qadian, Deoband, and Bareilly). From Iraq emerged the fitnas of the Khawarij, Rawafid, and others, and the Tatar fitna also came from the east. Further fitnas will continue to emerge from the east, including the fitna of the Dajjal and Gog and Magog. In the fifteenth century, the Osman Barzakh and Jama'at-ul-Muslimeen Takfiri fitnas emerged from Pakistan, with the Osman Barzakh sect leading the Hadith rejecters, openly denying the Hadith and Islamic teachings and promoting their false beliefs.
(Umdat al-Qari, Vol. 24, Pg. 200, Hadith No. 7094)
Therefore, in this hadith, Najd refers to Iraq, located to the east of Madinah and elevated in the region. The above ahadith clarify this. Hence, Najd does not refer to the Najd of Hijaz, as the land of fitna is Kufa, Iraq, and students of hadith and history are well aware of this. This explanation proves that the birthplace of the Khawarij and Takfiri fitnas will be the eastern regions, and the Prophet (PBUH) refrained from praying for these regions, instead clarifying that these areas would experience earthquakes and fitnas, and the greatest fitna, the Dajjal, will also emerge from there.
Imam Muhammad ibn Sirin (RA) (d. 110 AH) wisely said:
"Indeed, this knowledge is religion, so consider carefully from whom you take your religion."
(Sahih Muslim, with a Sahih chain)
Sayyid Waqar Ali Shah, who was once among the prominent preachers of Jama'at-ul-Muslimeen, later gained religious insight and analyzed this group in the light of the Quran and Hadith, writing:
"Many ahadith establish that people who mislead in the name of religion will continue to emerge in every era, becoming a fitna for the Muslim Ummah. They will speak good and well-intentioned words and try to prove their beliefs from the Quran and Hadith but will distort their meanings, spreading fitna, discord, prejudice, hatred, and misguidance among the Muslim Ummah. They will appear very religious, knowledgeable, and understanding of religion, using this to exploit people's lack of knowledge and love for religion, trapping them in their nets. But their faith will not go beyond their throats, meaning they will neither practice the religion correctly nor have true understanding, consciousness, or awareness of it."
(Tahqiq Mazeed, Pg. 10)
Note:
Sayyid Waqar Ali Shah later joined another sect.
In the present era, two newly emerged Takfiri sects are highly active. One sect is led by Dr. Masooduddin Usman, known as the Barzakh Usmani sect. This sect strongly denies the punishment of the grave but deceptively acknowledges it. The founder of this sect presents hadiths about the soul's torment in Hell and comfort in Paradise to prove that Heaven and Hell are the real graves. He distorts the hadiths about punishment in graves to reject them, claiming that accepting such punishments strengthens the idea of grave worship. For details, see my book "Al-Deen Al-Khalis" Part 1, Alhamdulillah. The second sect is Jama'at-ul-Muslimeen (registered), founded by Masood Ahmed BSc, with details in our books "Al-Firqah Al-Jadidah" and "Khulasat Al-Firqah Al-Jadidah." The third sect is the Caliphate Group of Jama'at-ul-Muslimeen, discussed here.
As the Day of Judgment approaches, various fitnas and sects are increasing, each trying to prove its self-made beliefs. Recently, Masood Ahmed BSc founded a new sect called Jama'at-ul-Muslimeen, claiming that anyone not joining his group, even if they follow the Quran and Hadith correctly, is a non-Muslim. He declares only those who pledge allegiance to him as Muslims. He applies hadiths about pledging allegiance to the Caliphs and rulers to his self-made leadership, making himself the untitled king of his followers. While the Ummah was facing this fitna, another similar fitna emerged, naming itself Jama'at-ul-Muslimeen but calling their leader a Caliph instead of an Emir. They apply all hadiths about the Caliphate to their self-made Caliph, who resides in Tony Blair's country and spreads his Caliphate in Pakistan, believing they will unite all Muslims and end discord.
Though sincere Muslims always desire unity among all Muslims, every group claims to unite Muslims under its banner. The way they selected their Caliph and started the allegiance process is unprecedented, as no Caliph in history was appointed without a throne, nor was allegiance pledged for an unseated Caliph. They need to look at the Rightly Guided Caliphs, who immediately assumed the throne upon allegiance. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
"I advise you to fear Allah and to listen and obey even if an Abyssinian slave is your leader. Whoever lives after me will see great discord, so follow my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the Rightly Guided Caliphs. Hold onto it with your teeth, and beware of newly invented matters, for every innovation is a misguidance."
(Ahmad, Vol. 4, Pg. 126-127; Abu Dawood, Hadith No. 4607; Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 2676; Ibn Majah, Hadith No. 43; Mishkat al-Masabih, Book of Faith, Chapter on Adherence to the Quran and Sunnah, Pg. 165)
Note:
Graded Hasan Sahih by Tirmidhi; Sahih by Ibn Hibban, Hadith No. 102; Al-Hakim, Vol. 1, Pg. 95-96, and authenticated by Al-Dhahabi; Sahih by Al-Albani and Hafiz Zubair Ali Zai
This hadith clarifies several points:
We ask the Caliphate supporters for evidence of their self-made Caliph. If they have any clear and explicit proof, they should present it because the burden of proof lies on the claimant. However, their response is that making the Caliphate a condition for a Caliph is incorrect and not found in the Book of Allah. Any condition not found in the Book of Allah is invalid according to hadith. (Bukhari: 2735)
But our question remains unanswered: where in the Quran and Hadith is there any mention of a Caliph without a Caliphate, who has no government or rule over any land? Can someone be a Caliph without a Caliphate? And their claim that making the Caliphate a condition is invalid is as illogical as saying that making knowledge a condition for a scholar is incorrect. However, it is understood that a scholar is one who possesses knowledge, a blacksmith works with iron, a carpenter works with wood, and so on. The name of the position is related to the duty performed.
Similarly, a Caliph is one who holds government and Caliphate. If someone claims to be a doctor without qualifications, children will mock and call him mad. "Caliph" is a specific term understood by scholars and the general public. Some ignorant and naive people follow this self-made Caliph, chanting his name while he feels proud, believing himself to be a genuine Caliph.
Qadi Abu Ya'la Muhammad ibn al-Hussain al-Farra (d. 458 AH) said:
"The third condition of an Imam (Caliph) is to be responsible for war, politics, and establishing punishments, showing no leniency in these matters, defending the Ummah."
(Al-Ahkam al-Sultaniyyah, Pg. 22)
Qadi Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Habib al-Mawardi (d. 450 AH) mentioned the sixth condition of Imamate (Caliphate):
"Courage and bravery leading to protecting the state and fighting the enemy."
(Al-Ahkam al-Sultaniyyah, Pg. 6)
These conditions are not opposed by any scholar, indicating consensus among the pious predecessors that a Caliph must hold government and power.
The emergence of a self-made and powerless Caliph is supported by some arguments, as anyone who invents something will have some reasoning to justify it. But no clear and explicit evidence supports their claim. They might cite:
Sayyiduna Abu Huraira (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
"The Israelites were led by their Prophets. Whenever a Prophet died, another succeeded him. But there will be no Prophet after me; instead, there will be Caliphs, and they will be many."
People asked, "What do you command us?" The Prophet (PBUH) said,
"Fulfill the pledge of allegiance to the first one and give them their due rights. Indeed, Allah will question them about what He entrusted them with."
(Sahih Bukhari: 3455; Sahih Muslim: 1842)
This hadith does not provide any evidence of an involuntary caliph, nor does it imply such a caliph in any way. Instead, the hadith proves that there will be a continuous and sequential succession of caliphs in the Ummah of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), meaning one after another. Thus, a series of caliphs will continue to exist. The Rightly Guided Caliphs, the Caliphs of Banu Umayyah, and the Caliphs of Banu Abbas existed until the very weak and feeble caliphate that ended in Turkey when Mustafa Kemal Ataturk abolished the remnants of the caliphate. Now, there is no entity left in the world called the caliphate. Near the Day of Judgment, before the arrival of Isa (AS), a caliph will come, who is also referred to as Imam Mahdi, and after the arrival of Isa (AS), Isa (AS) himself will become the caliph of the Muslim Ummah.
Sayyiduna Muawiya (RA) narrates that he heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) say:
"This matter of the caliphate will remain with the Quraish. No one will oppose them without Allah throwing him down on his face, as long as they establish the religion."
(Sahih Bukhari, Book of Virtues of the Companions, Chapter on the Virtues of the Quraish, Hadith No. 3500; Book of Judgments, Hadith No. 7139)
Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Umar (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
Sayyiduna Jabir bin Samura (RA) narrated that he heard the Prophet (PBUH) say:
"There will be twelve leaders after me."
(Bukhari, Hadith No. 7222)
In another narration from the same Companion (RA), it is mentioned:
"The religion of Islam will remain dominant until the twelve caliphs, all of whom will be from the Quraish."
(Sahih Muslim, Book of Governance, Hadith Nos. 4708, 4709)
These ahadith make it clear that the caliphate will remain with the Quraish as long as they uphold the religion, even if there are only two people left. Another hadith clarifies that Islam will remain dominant and strong until twelve caliphs. After these caliphs, Islam will gradually weaken, and various fitnas, innovations, and sectarian divisions will weaken it further.
A hadith states:
"The safety of this Ummah lies in its early period."
(Muslim, Book of Governance, Hadith No. 4776)
Sayyiduna Nu'man ibn Bashir (RA) narrated from Sayyiduna Hudhayfah (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
"Prophethood will remain among you as long as Allah wills, then Allah will remove it when He wills. Then there will be a caliphate on the way of Prophethood, and it will last as long as Allah wills. Then He will remove it when He wills. Then there will be biting kingship, and it will last as long as Allah wills. Then He will remove it when He wills. Then there will be oppressive kingship, and it will last as long as Allah wills. Then He will remove it when He wills. Then there will be a caliphate on the way of Prophethood."
(Musnad Ahmad, Vol. 4, Pg. 273; Al-Bayhaqi in Dala'il an-Nubuwwah, Vol. 6, Pg. 491; Al-Mawsu'ah, Vol. 30, Pg. 355; Majma' az-Zawa'id, Vol. 5, Pg. 188; Mishkat al-Masabih, Hadith No. 5378; As-Sahihah, Hadith No. 5. Graded Hasan by Al-Haythami, Al-Albani, Shu'ayb al-Arna'ut, and Zubair Ali Zai)
This hadith clearly shows that the caliphate on the way of Prophethood ended long ago, and we are likely in the era of oppressive kingship. The believers await the arrival of Isa (AS), during whose time the caliphate on the way of Prophethood will be established again. If the caliphate group’s leader dreams of becoming Imam Mahdi, they should know that Imam Mahdi has specific signs and conditions that will easily identify him, such as the appearance of the Dajjal.
A hadith limits the caliphate (on the way of Prophethood) to thirty years.
Sayyiduna Safina (RA) narrated that he heard the Prophet (PBUH) say:
"The caliphate after me will last for thirty years, then it will become a kingship. Count the caliphate of Abu Bakr as two years, the caliphate of Umar as ten years, the caliphate of Uthman as twelve years, and the caliphate of Ali as six years."
(Musnad Ahmad, Vol. 5, Pg. 220, 221; Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 2226; Abu Dawood, Hadith Nos. 4646, 4647; Mishkat al-Masabih, Hadith No. 5395. Graded Hasan by Al-Albani, Zubair Ali Zai; Al-Mustadrak, Vol. 3, Pg. 71, 145; At-Tabarani, Vol. 7, Pg. 98; Sharh as-Sunnah, Vol. 14, Pg. 75)
The meaning being suggested for this hadith—that there will be many caliphs at the same time and people will pledge allegiance to multiple caliphs—is incorrect. During a debate in Karachi, the new leader of the Caliphate Group, Waqar Ali Shah, explained this hadith as follows:
"There will be many caliphs, and one can pledge allegiance to multiple caliphs at the same time. We must see which caliph to prioritize, as it is not a matter of power and authority but rather choosing whom to pledge allegiance to among multiple caliphs."
However, this interpretation is entirely incorrect. The hadith clearly means that caliphs will come one after another, not simultaneously. If multiple caliphs arise within their own group, it would create problems for them. The former leader of Jama'at-ul-Muslimeen (Masood Ahmed) translated this hadith as follows:
"In Bani Israel, the prophets managed their affairs (meaning they were both prophets and rulers). [Not all prophets were rulers. – Abu Jaber] Whenever a prophet passed away, another prophet succeeded him. But there will be no prophet after me; instead, there will be caliphs, and they will be many."
The Companions asked, "What do you command us in this regard?"
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "Fulfill the pledge of allegiance to the first caliph and then to each subsequent caliph. Give them their rights (i.e., it is obligatory for you to obey them). Allah will question them about what He entrusted them with."
(Excerpt from the explanation by Masood Ahmed)
The fundamental principle of the Islamic caliphate is that once allegiance to one caliph is established (whom the caliphate group considers the first caliph), any subsequent claimant to the caliphate should be killed. Once a caliph is established, any other claim to the caliphate is invalid and considered rebellion. Allegiance should remain with the initially established caliph, as this hadith indicates.
"Whoever pledges allegiance to an imam with sincerity, should obey him to the best of his ability. If another person comes forward to challenge him, strike the latter's neck."
(Muslim: 4776)
These conditions are correct in themselves, but the fundamental issue that Abdul Razzaq of the Caliphate Group has forgotten is the actual seat of the caliphate where the caliph should be established. Where is this caliphate? In which country does the caliph intend to establish himself? Without any territory or place, how can the caliphate be proclaimed? If there is no destination, how can the ride continue aimlessly? If someone claims ownership of something without actually possessing it, it is a false claim, and such a person would be considered a liar.
The claim is also being made that it is not necessary for a caliph to have power and authority; a caliph can be a caliph without power and authority. This is like saying, "Press the knee, and the eye pops out," which reflects ignorance. If you are talking about a spiritual leader in a shrine, we agree that such a caliph does not need power and authority. However, a caliph who is supposed to implement Islam in the world and raise the banner of truth on Allah's earth cannot be a caliph without power and authority. Here are some proofs to consider:
Sayyiduna Abu Huraira (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
"The Imam (caliph) is a shield behind whom you fight and protect yourselves. If he commands the fear of Allah and is just, he will be rewarded; if he does otherwise, he will bear the sin."
(Bukhari: 2957; Muslim: 4773)
Allah's promise of granting caliphate:
"Allah has promised those among you who believe and do righteous deeds that He will certainly grant them succession to [the present rulers] in the land just as He granted it to those before them; and that He will surely establish for them 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."
(Surah An-Nur: 55)
This verse indicates that Allah has promised the believers that He will grant them caliphate on earth. They will implement Allah’s laws on earth, which is impossible without power and authority. The verse also mentions the caliphates granted to people before this Ummah. Consider the example of Dawood (AS):
"O Dawood, indeed We have made you a caliph on the earth, so judge between the people in truth and do not follow [your own] desire, as it will lead you astray from the way of Allah."
(Surah Sad: 26)
Another place mentions:
"And We strengthened his kingdom and gave him wisdom and discernment in speech."
(Surah Sad: 20)
And:
"So they defeated them by permission of Allah, and Dawood killed Jalut, and Allah gave him the kingdom and wisdom and taught him of that which He willed."
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 251)
After killing Jalut, Dawood (AS) was granted kingship and caliphate. However, during a debate, Waqar Ali Shah of the Caliphate Group incorrectly stated that after killing Jalut, Talut was made king, even though Talut’s kingship was declared before the battle.
"And their prophet said to them, 'Indeed, Allah has appointed Talut as king over you.'"
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 247)
Waqar Ali Shah’s statements during the debate were based on ignorance. He continuously insisted on misapplying the mention of Dawood’s (AS) caliphate to Talut. He has written several critical books on the Jamaat-ul-Muslimeen, such as "Jamaat-ul-Muslimeen or Jamaat-ul-Takfir" and "Further Investigation." It seems he has now reverted to the same sectarian mindset he once criticized.
"As He granted to those before them"
The Quran mentions various caliphates granted to previous nations, but I will only reference them without detailing:
During the time of Isa (AS)'s descent, the caliph of the Muslims will be referred to as Imam Mahdi. Various hadiths use terms like caliph, imam, and leader for him.
Sayyiduna Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman (RA) narrates that people used to ask the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) about good, but he would ask him about evil, fearing that it might overtake him. He said, "O Messenger of Allah, we were in ignorance and evil, then Allah brought us this good. Will there be any evil after this good?" The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Yes." He asked, "Will there be any good after that evil?" The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Yes, but it will be tainted with some evil." He asked, "What will the evil be?" The Prophet (PBUH) said, "There will be some people who will lead according to other than my tradition. You will see their actions and disapprove of them." He asked, "Will there be any evil after that good?"
The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Yes, there will be callers at the gates of Hell. Whoever responds to their call, they will throw him into Hell." He asked, "O Messenger of Allah, describe them for us." The Prophet (PBUH) said, "They will be from our people and speak our language." He asked, "What do you command me to do if I live to see that time?" The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Stick to the group of Muslims and their imam." He asked, "What if there is no group and no imam?" The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Then isolate yourself from all these sects, even if you have to bite the roots of a tree until death overtakes you in that state."
(Sahih Bukhari, Book of Tribulations, Hadith Nos. 7084, 3606; Sahih Muslim, Book of Governance, Hadith No. 4784)
This hadith’s phrase "Stick to the group of Muslims and their imam" has been misinterpreted to mean joining the Caliphate Group and pledging allegiance to their leader. Before this, Masood Ahmed (BSc) also misused this narration for his Jamaat-ul-Muslimeen, and Waqar Ali Shah, influenced by him, joined their group for some time. Later, he left the group and joined the Caliphate Group, becoming its leader in Pakistan. Another version of this hadith includes the term "caliph."
"If Allah has a caliph on earth, even if he strikes your back and takes your wealth, obey him."
(Abu Dawood, Book of Tribulations, Hadith Nos. 4244, 4245; graded Hasan, Musnad Ahmad, Vol. 5, Pg. 403; Al-Mustadrak, Vol. 4, Pg. 443; Mishkat al-Masabih, Vol. 3, Pg. 1484; Musnad Abu Awanah, Vol. 4, Pg. 470)
Imam Abu Awanah recorded the hadith "Stick to the group of Muslims and their imam" followed by this hadith. This hadith relates to governance and caliphate. If a caliphate exists, it is obligatory to pledge allegiance to its leader. However, if there is no caliphate, one should not join any sect or group but rather stay away from all fitnas and adhere strictly to the Quran and Sunnah.
Since the current caliphate group lacks an established caliphate, their followers' interpretation of this narration is incorrect. Merely assuming a title and receiving pledges do not make someone a caliph. Otherwise, people would start similar practices everywhere, resulting in countless pseudo-caliphates. Such actions are deceitful and fraudulent, traits unbecoming of a believer.
Mr. Tanveer Akhtar Siddiqui sent a questionnaire regarding the "Caliphate Group". Before addressing the responses to this questionnaire, a few points are presented to help understand this emerging fitna.
Narrated by Abu Huraira (RA), the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
"Hasten to do good deeds before trials come like pieces of a dark night. A man will be a believer in the morning and a disbeliever by evening, or he will be a believer in the evening and a disbeliever by morning, selling his religion for a small worldly gain."
(Muslim, Hadith No. 313, Book of Faith; Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 2195; Musnad Ahmad, Vol. 2, Pg. 304, 523; Mishkat al-Masabih, Hadith No. 5883; Abu Awanah, Vol. 1, Pg. 50)
This hadith establishes that preserving faith during times of trials will be difficult, as such trials will be driven by personal desires (ahwa) and interpret Quran and Hadith according to these desires. They will also resort to reasoning and philosophy, thereby fully representing false sects. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) mentioned seventy-three sects within his Ummah, of which seventy-two would be in Hell and one in Paradise, which is the group adhering to the truth (Al-Jama'ah). Another hadith states:
"There will emerge among my Ummah people in whom desires (ahwa) will flow as the disease of hydrophobia (rabies) flows in its victim, not leaving a single vein or joint except it enters."
(Abu Dawood, Book of Sunnah, Hadith No. 4597; As-Sahihah, Hadith No. 204; Al-Mustadrak, Vol. 1, Pg. 128; Musnad Ahmad, Vol. 4, Pg. 102; Ad-Darimi, Vol. 2, Pg. 241)
From this hadith, it is proven that sects will arise within this Ummah, enslaved by personal desires, with these desires infiltrating their very being like the disease of hydrophobia. These people will interpret the Quran and Hadith in ways that align with their desires, distorting their true meanings, and leading people astray by convincing them that their interpretations are the true meanings of the Quran and Hadith. Those who disagree with their views will be labeled as disbelievers or outcasts from Islam.
Examples from the past include the Khawarij, Rawafid, Jabriya, Qadriya, Mushabbiha, Mu'attala, and other false sects. In the present era, many groups follow this mission, such as the various sects of Hadith rejecters, those who deny the punishment of the grave, the Uthmani Barzakh sect, the Jama'at-ul-Muslimeen (registered), and others. These sects also distort the meanings of the Quran and Hadith and have become subservient to human desires. Consider the following Quranic verses regarding personal desires:
Have you seen he who has taken as his god his [own] desire, and Allah has sent him astray due to knowledge and has set a seal upon his hearing and his heart and put over his vision a veil? So who will guide him after Allah? Will you not then be reminded?
(Al-Jathiya: 23)
This verse shows that someone who follows his desires becomes misguided despite knowledge, with Allah sealing his hearing and heart and covering his vision. Only Allah can guide such a person.
And even if you bring to those who were given the Scripture every sign, they would not follow your qibla. Nor will you be a follower of their qibla. Nor would they be followers of one another's qibla. So if you were to follow their desires after what has come to you of knowledge, indeed, you would then be among the wrongdoers.
(Al-Baqarah: 145)
Allah addresses His beloved Prophet (PBUH), instructing him to follow only the knowledge (Quran and Hadith) revealed to him by Allah. If he were to follow the desires of others, he would be among the wrongdoers. This warning extends to the entire Ummah to follow the Quran and Hadith and avoid personal desires.
And if the Truth had followed their desires, the heavens and the earth and whoever is in them would have been ruined. But We have brought them their reminder, but they, from their reminder, are turning away.
(Al-Mu’minun: 71)
Sayyiduna Auf ibn Malik (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
"My Ummah will be divided into seventy-some sects, the most divided among them will be a people who measure matters by their opinions, declaring the lawful as unlawful and the unlawful as lawful."
(Al-Mustadrak, Vol. 4, Pg. 430; Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir, Vol. 18, Pg. 51; Faqih wal-Mutafaqih, Vol. 1, Pg. 179, 180; Tarikh Baghdad, Vol. 13, Pg. 311-307; Al-Madkhal, Hadith No. 3534; Jami' Bayan al-'Ilm, Vol. 2, Pg. 163; Ibn Hazm's Risalah al-Kubra, Kashf al-Astar, Vol. 1, Pg. 179; Hadith graded Hasan)
The Prophet's (PBUH) prophecy is realized in the emergence of such sects.
Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-'As (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
"Indeed, Allah does not take away knowledge by snatching it from the people, but He takes away knowledge by taking away the scholars until, when no scholar remains, people will take ignorant ones as their leaders. They will be asked, and they will give fatwas without knowledge. They will go astray and lead the people astray."
(
Bukhari: 100; Muslim: 267)
The Intrigues of False Sects
Allah sent His final Messenger, Sayyiduna Muhammad (PBUH), with the true religion to prevail over all other religions. Allah says:
They want to extinguish the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah refuses except to perfect His light, although the disbelievers dislike it. It is He who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to manifest it over all religion, although they who associate others with Allah dislike it.
(At-Tawbah: 32-33)
These verses show that the disbelievers and polytheists have always attempted to extinguish the light of Islam but cannot succeed because Islam is destined to prevail. Besides the disbelievers and polytheists, a third group called hypocrites also plotted against Islam, causing immense harm. They always played the role of hidden enemies, causing more damage than the disbelievers and polytheists by attempting to change the fundamental beliefs and concepts of Islam, creating doubts and misconceptions among people.
One example of their deceit is the claim that the Caliphate rightfully belonged to Sayyiduna Ali (RA) and that the Prophet (PBUH) had appointed him as his successor. They also claim that all the Companions (RA) became apostates after the Prophet's (PBUH) death, except for three. By making such false claims, they try to undermine the validity of the Quran and Hadith presented by the Companions (RA), thereby attempting to uproot Islam.
Another sect called the Khawarij emerged, proclaiming strict adherence to monotheism and the Quran but rejecting the Hadith of the Prophet (PBUH). They labeled everyone except themselves as disbelievers, particularly targeting Sayyiduna Ali (RA) and Sayyiduna Muawiyah (RA) as disbelievers. Sayyiduna Ali (RA) commented on their stance: "A word of truth used to imply falsehood."
(Muslim: 1066)
This means that while their slogan was correct, their interpretation was flawed, and they wanted to impose their erroneous understanding on others.
The Characteristics of the Takfiri Sect of Khawarij
The Prophet (PBUH) foretold about this takfiri sect:
- Sayyiduna Ali (RA) reported:
"People will emerge from my Ummah who will recite the Quran, but it will not go beyond their throats. They will exit from Islam as an arrow exits from the prey."
(Muslim: 1066) - In Sahih Bukhari, narrated by Sayyiduna Abu Saeed al-Khudri (RA), the Prophet (PBUH) said about Dhul-Khuwaisirah:
"From his progeny will come a people who will recite the Quran, but it will not go beyond their throats. They will exit from Islam as an arrow exits from the prey, not leaving any part of it."
(Bukhari: 3610) - Another narration states that they will kill the Muslims and leave the idolaters, and if I meet them, I will kill them as the people of 'Ad were killed.
(Bukhari: 3344) - Sayyiduna Abu Dharr al-Ghifari (RA) narrated:
"They will exit from Islam as an arrow exits from the prey."
(Muslim: 2469; Ibn Majah: 70)
- Sayyiduna Ali (RA) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said:
(Sahih Bukhari, Book of Apostates and those who wage war and their fighting, Chapter 6, Hadith No. 2930; Book of Virtues, Chapter 25, Hadith No. 3611; Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 2461; Mishkat al-Masabih, Hadith No. 3535)
In another narration by Sayyiduna Abu Barzah (RA), it is mentioned:
"There will emerge in the last days a people who appear to be from this man’s progeny."
(Al-Nasai: 4108 with a good chain of narration)
- Sayyiduna Ibn Abi Awfa (RA) narrated: "The Khawarij are the dogs of Hellfire."
(Ibn Majah: 173, graded Hasan)
(Tirmidhi: 3000, with a good chain; Ibn Majah: 176, Mishkat al-Masabih: 3554)
Takfiri Groups Will Continue to Emerge
- The end of the hadith narrated by Sayyiduna Abu Barzah (RA) states:
"They will continue to emerge until the last of them appears with the Antichrist (Dajjal)."
(Al-Nasai: 4108; Musnad Ahmad, Vol. 4, Pg. 421, 425; Al-Mustadrak, Vol. 2, Pg. 148, graded Hasan by Hafiz Zubair Ali Zai; Ibn Abi Shaybah, Vol. 10, Pg. 320-321; Ahmad, Vol. 4, Pg. 421, 425; Al-Sunan al-Kubra by Al-Nasai, Hadith No. 3566)
These False Sects Will Emerge from the East of Madinah
- Sayyiduna Sahl ibn Hunaif (RA) narrated that he heard the Prophet (PBUH) mention the Khawarij, saying:
"A people will emerge from the east who will recite the Quran with their tongues, but it will not go beyond their throats. They will exit from the religion as an arrow exits from the prey."
(Muslim: 1048) - Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Umar (RA) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) once stood beside the pulpit and said:
"Fitnah is here, fitnah is here, from where the horn of Satan appears."
(Bukhari: 7092; Muslim: 2905)
"Fitnah is from here, where the horn of Satan rises."
(Bukhari: 7093; Muslim: 2905)
The area to the east of Madinah includes Iraq, Iran, and the regions of Pakistan and India (Qadian, Deoband, and Bareilly). From Iraq emerged the fitnas of the Khawarij, Rawafid, and others, and the Tatar fitna also came from the east. Further fitnas will continue to emerge from the east, including the fitna of the Dajjal and Gog and Magog. In the fifteenth century, the Osman Barzakh and Jama'at-ul-Muslimeen Takfiri fitnas emerged from Pakistan, with the Osman Barzakh sect leading the Hadith rejecters, openly denying the Hadith and Islamic teachings and promoting their false beliefs.
- Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Umar (RA) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) prayed:
"O Allah! Bless our Sham (Syria) and our Yemen."
The Companions asked, "And our Najd?" The Prophet (PBUH) again prayed:
"O Allah! Bless our Sham and our Yemen."
The Companions asked again, "And our Najd?"
The Prophet (PBUH) replied, "There will be earthquakes and fitnas in Najd, and from there the horn of Satan will emerge."
(Bukhari: 7094)
(Umdat al-Qari, Vol. 24, Pg. 200, Hadith No. 7094)
Therefore, in this hadith, Najd refers to Iraq, located to the east of Madinah and elevated in the region. The above ahadith clarify this. Hence, Najd does not refer to the Najd of Hijaz, as the land of fitna is Kufa, Iraq, and students of hadith and history are well aware of this. This explanation proves that the birthplace of the Khawarij and Takfiri fitnas will be the eastern regions, and the Prophet (PBUH) refrained from praying for these regions, instead clarifying that these areas would experience earthquakes and fitnas, and the greatest fitna, the Dajjal, will also emerge from there.
Misleading Imams
- Sayyiduna Thawban (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
"What I fear most for my Ummah is the misguiding Imams."
(Abu Dawood: 4254, with a Sahih chain) - Sayyiduna Abu Huraira (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
"In the last days, there will be false prophets and liars who will bring to you narrations you and your forefathers have never heard. Beware of them and let them beware of you, lest they misguide you and cause you tribulation."
(Sahih Muslim, Introduction, Chapter 4, Hadith No. 7)
Imam Muhammad ibn Sirin (RA) (d. 110 AH) wisely said:
"Indeed, this knowledge is religion, so consider carefully from whom you take your religion."
(Sahih Muslim, with a Sahih chain)
- Sayyiduna Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) described fitna, saying:
"Callers at the gates of Hell; whoever responds to their call, they will throw him into it."
I said, "O Messenger of Allah! Describe them to us."
He said: "They are from our own people and speak our language."
(Bukhari: 7084; Muslim: 1847)
Sayyid Waqar Ali Shah, who was once among the prominent preachers of Jama'at-ul-Muslimeen, later gained religious insight and analyzed this group in the light of the Quran and Hadith, writing:
"Many ahadith establish that people who mislead in the name of religion will continue to emerge in every era, becoming a fitna for the Muslim Ummah. They will speak good and well-intentioned words and try to prove their beliefs from the Quran and Hadith but will distort their meanings, spreading fitna, discord, prejudice, hatred, and misguidance among the Muslim Ummah. They will appear very religious, knowledgeable, and understanding of religion, using this to exploit people's lack of knowledge and love for religion, trapping them in their nets. But their faith will not go beyond their throats, meaning they will neither practice the religion correctly nor have true understanding, consciousness, or awareness of it."
(Tahqiq Mazeed, Pg. 10)
Note:
Sayyid Waqar Ali Shah later joined another sect.
Modern Takfiri Sects
In the present era, two newly emerged Takfiri sects are highly active. One sect is led by Dr. Masooduddin Usman, known as the Barzakh Usmani sect. This sect strongly denies the punishment of the grave but deceptively acknowledges it. The founder of this sect presents hadiths about the soul's torment in Hell and comfort in Paradise to prove that Heaven and Hell are the real graves. He distorts the hadiths about punishment in graves to reject them, claiming that accepting such punishments strengthens the idea of grave worship. For details, see my book "Al-Deen Al-Khalis" Part 1, Alhamdulillah. The second sect is Jama'at-ul-Muslimeen (registered), founded by Masood Ahmed BSc, with details in our books "Al-Firqah Al-Jadidah" and "Khulasat Al-Firqah Al-Jadidah." The third sect is the Caliphate Group of Jama'at-ul-Muslimeen, discussed here.
As the Day of Judgment approaches, various fitnas and sects are increasing, each trying to prove its self-made beliefs. Recently, Masood Ahmed BSc founded a new sect called Jama'at-ul-Muslimeen, claiming that anyone not joining his group, even if they follow the Quran and Hadith correctly, is a non-Muslim. He declares only those who pledge allegiance to him as Muslims. He applies hadiths about pledging allegiance to the Caliphs and rulers to his self-made leadership, making himself the untitled king of his followers. While the Ummah was facing this fitna, another similar fitna emerged, naming itself Jama'at-ul-Muslimeen but calling their leader a Caliph instead of an Emir. They apply all hadiths about the Caliphate to their self-made Caliph, who resides in Tony Blair's country and spreads his Caliphate in Pakistan, believing they will unite all Muslims and end discord.
Though sincere Muslims always desire unity among all Muslims, every group claims to unite Muslims under its banner. The way they selected their Caliph and started the allegiance process is unprecedented, as no Caliph in history was appointed without a throne, nor was allegiance pledged for an unseated Caliph. They need to look at the Rightly Guided Caliphs, who immediately assumed the throne upon allegiance. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
"I advise you to fear Allah and to listen and obey even if an Abyssinian slave is your leader. Whoever lives after me will see great discord, so follow my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the Rightly Guided Caliphs. Hold onto it with your teeth, and beware of newly invented matters, for every innovation is a misguidance."
(Ahmad, Vol. 4, Pg. 126-127; Abu Dawood, Hadith No. 4607; Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 2676; Ibn Majah, Hadith No. 43; Mishkat al-Masabih, Book of Faith, Chapter on Adherence to the Quran and Sunnah, Pg. 165)
Note:
Graded Hasan Sahih by Tirmidhi; Sahih by Ibn Hibban, Hadith No. 102; Al-Hakim, Vol. 1, Pg. 95-96, and authenticated by Al-Dhahabi; Sahih by Al-Albani and Hafiz Zubair Ali Zai
This hadith clarifies several points:
- After the Prophet (PBUH), there will be much discord among the Muslim Ummah.
- During times of discord, it is essential for Muslims to follow the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) and the Rightly Guided Caliphs to resolve disputes.
- The Prophet (PBUH) forbade adopting new practices in religion because every innovation is a misguidance. Therefore, the allegiance taken by these self-made Caliphs is an innovation and an invitation to misguidance.
We ask the Caliphate supporters for evidence of their self-made Caliph. If they have any clear and explicit proof, they should present it because the burden of proof lies on the claimant. However, their response is that making the Caliphate a condition for a Caliph is incorrect and not found in the Book of Allah. Any condition not found in the Book of Allah is invalid according to hadith. (Bukhari: 2735)
But our question remains unanswered: where in the Quran and Hadith is there any mention of a Caliph without a Caliphate, who has no government or rule over any land? Can someone be a Caliph without a Caliphate? And their claim that making the Caliphate a condition is invalid is as illogical as saying that making knowledge a condition for a scholar is incorrect. However, it is understood that a scholar is one who possesses knowledge, a blacksmith works with iron, a carpenter works with wood, and so on. The name of the position is related to the duty performed.
Similarly, a Caliph is one who holds government and Caliphate. If someone claims to be a doctor without qualifications, children will mock and call him mad. "Caliph" is a specific term understood by scholars and the general public. Some ignorant and naive people follow this self-made Caliph, chanting his name while he feels proud, believing himself to be a genuine Caliph.
Qadi Abu Ya'la Muhammad ibn al-Hussain al-Farra (d. 458 AH) said:
"The third condition of an Imam (Caliph) is to be responsible for war, politics, and establishing punishments, showing no leniency in these matters, defending the Ummah."
(Al-Ahkam al-Sultaniyyah, Pg. 22)
Qadi Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Habib al-Mawardi (d. 450 AH) mentioned the sixth condition of Imamate (Caliphate):
"Courage and bravery leading to protecting the state and fighting the enemy."
(Al-Ahkam al-Sultaniyyah, Pg. 6)
These conditions are not opposed by any scholar, indicating consensus among the pious predecessors that a Caliph must hold government and power.
The emergence of a self-made and powerless Caliph is supported by some arguments, as anyone who invents something will have some reasoning to justify it. But no clear and explicit evidence supports their claim. They might cite:
Sayyiduna Abu Huraira (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
"The Israelites were led by their Prophets. Whenever a Prophet died, another succeeded him. But there will be no Prophet after me; instead, there will be Caliphs, and they will be many."
People asked, "What do you command us?" The Prophet (PBUH) said,
"Fulfill the pledge of allegiance to the first one and give them their due rights. Indeed, Allah will question them about what He entrusted them with."
(Sahih Bukhari: 3455; Sahih Muslim: 1842)
The Invalidity of the Involuntary Caliph
This hadith does not provide any evidence of an involuntary caliph, nor does it imply such a caliph in any way. Instead, the hadith proves that there will be a continuous and sequential succession of caliphs in the Ummah of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), meaning one after another. Thus, a series of caliphs will continue to exist. The Rightly Guided Caliphs, the Caliphs of Banu Umayyah, and the Caliphs of Banu Abbas existed until the very weak and feeble caliphate that ended in Turkey when Mustafa Kemal Ataturk abolished the remnants of the caliphate. Now, there is no entity left in the world called the caliphate. Near the Day of Judgment, before the arrival of Isa (AS), a caliph will come, who is also referred to as Imam Mahdi, and after the arrival of Isa (AS), Isa (AS) himself will become the caliph of the Muslim Ummah.
Sayyiduna Muawiya (RA) narrates that he heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) say:
"This matter of the caliphate will remain with the Quraish. No one will oppose them without Allah throwing him down on his face, as long as they establish the religion."
(Sahih Bukhari, Book of Virtues of the Companions, Chapter on the Virtues of the Quraish, Hadith No. 3500; Book of Judgments, Hadith No. 7139)
Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Umar (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
Sayyiduna Jabir bin Samura (RA) narrated that he heard the Prophet (PBUH) say:
"There will be twelve leaders after me."
(Bukhari, Hadith No. 7222)
In another narration from the same Companion (RA), it is mentioned:
"The religion of Islam will remain dominant until the twelve caliphs, all of whom will be from the Quraish."
(Sahih Muslim, Book of Governance, Hadith Nos. 4708, 4709)
These ahadith make it clear that the caliphate will remain with the Quraish as long as they uphold the religion, even if there are only two people left. Another hadith clarifies that Islam will remain dominant and strong until twelve caliphs. After these caliphs, Islam will gradually weaken, and various fitnas, innovations, and sectarian divisions will weaken it further.
A hadith states:
"The safety of this Ummah lies in its early period."
(Muslim, Book of Governance, Hadith No. 4776)
Sayyiduna Nu'man ibn Bashir (RA) narrated from Sayyiduna Hudhayfah (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
"Prophethood will remain among you as long as Allah wills, then Allah will remove it when He wills. Then there will be a caliphate on the way of Prophethood, and it will last as long as Allah wills. Then He will remove it when He wills. Then there will be biting kingship, and it will last as long as Allah wills. Then He will remove it when He wills. Then there will be oppressive kingship, and it will last as long as Allah wills. Then He will remove it when He wills. Then there will be a caliphate on the way of Prophethood."
(Musnad Ahmad, Vol. 4, Pg. 273; Al-Bayhaqi in Dala'il an-Nubuwwah, Vol. 6, Pg. 491; Al-Mawsu'ah, Vol. 30, Pg. 355; Majma' az-Zawa'id, Vol. 5, Pg. 188; Mishkat al-Masabih, Hadith No. 5378; As-Sahihah, Hadith No. 5. Graded Hasan by Al-Haythami, Al-Albani, Shu'ayb al-Arna'ut, and Zubair Ali Zai)
This hadith clearly shows that the caliphate on the way of Prophethood ended long ago, and we are likely in the era of oppressive kingship. The believers await the arrival of Isa (AS), during whose time the caliphate on the way of Prophethood will be established again. If the caliphate group’s leader dreams of becoming Imam Mahdi, they should know that Imam Mahdi has specific signs and conditions that will easily identify him, such as the appearance of the Dajjal.
A hadith limits the caliphate (on the way of Prophethood) to thirty years.
Sayyiduna Safina (RA) narrated that he heard the Prophet (PBUH) say:
"The caliphate after me will last for thirty years, then it will become a kingship. Count the caliphate of Abu Bakr as two years, the caliphate of Umar as ten years, the caliphate of Uthman as twelve years, and the caliphate of Ali as six years."
(Musnad Ahmad, Vol. 5, Pg. 220, 221; Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 2226; Abu Dawood, Hadith Nos. 4646, 4647; Mishkat al-Masabih, Hadith No. 5395. Graded Hasan by Al-Albani, Zubair Ali Zai; Al-Mustadrak, Vol. 3, Pg. 71, 145; At-Tabarani, Vol. 7, Pg. 98; Sharh as-Sunnah, Vol. 14, Pg. 75)
Misinterpretation of "Tassusuhum al-Anbiya"
The meaning being suggested for this hadith—that there will be many caliphs at the same time and people will pledge allegiance to multiple caliphs—is incorrect. During a debate in Karachi, the new leader of the Caliphate Group, Waqar Ali Shah, explained this hadith as follows:
"There will be many caliphs, and one can pledge allegiance to multiple caliphs at the same time. We must see which caliph to prioritize, as it is not a matter of power and authority but rather choosing whom to pledge allegiance to among multiple caliphs."
However, this interpretation is entirely incorrect. The hadith clearly means that caliphs will come one after another, not simultaneously. If multiple caliphs arise within their own group, it would create problems for them. The former leader of Jama'at-ul-Muslimeen (Masood Ahmed) translated this hadith as follows:
"In Bani Israel, the prophets managed their affairs (meaning they were both prophets and rulers). [Not all prophets were rulers. – Abu Jaber] Whenever a prophet passed away, another prophet succeeded him. But there will be no prophet after me; instead, there will be caliphs, and they will be many."
The Companions asked, "What do you command us in this regard?"
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "Fulfill the pledge of allegiance to the first caliph and then to each subsequent caliph. Give them their rights (i.e., it is obligatory for you to obey them). Allah will question them about what He entrusted them with."
(Excerpt from the explanation by Masood Ahmed)
The fundamental principle of the Islamic caliphate is that once allegiance to one caliph is established (whom the caliphate group considers the first caliph), any subsequent claimant to the caliphate should be killed. Once a caliph is established, any other claim to the caliphate is invalid and considered rebellion. Allegiance should remain with the initially established caliph, as this hadith indicates.
- Sayyiduna Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
"If two caliphs are pledged allegiance, kill the latter one."
(Muslim: 4799; Mishkat al-Masabih, Vol. 2, Pg. 1088) - Sayyiduna Arfajah (RA) narrated that he heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) say:
"If a person comes to you while you are united under one man (caliph) and seeks to break your unity or divide your congregation, kill him."
(Sahih Muslim: 1852) - Another version of the hadith states:
"Various forms of evil and turmoil will emerge. When someone attempts to divide the unity of the Muslim Ummah while it is united under one caliph, kill him with the sword, regardless of who he is."
(Sahih Muslim, Book of Governance, Hadith Nos. 4798, 4796)
"Whoever pledges allegiance to an imam with sincerity, should obey him to the best of his ability. If another person comes forward to challenge him, strike the latter's neck."
(Muslim: 4776)
Misunderstanding of Caliphate Conditions
The Caliphate Group mentions six conditions for a caliph: (1) Faith, (2) Being male, (3) Being Quraishi, (4) Being sane and mature, (5) Being free from the desire for the caliphate, and (6) Being the holder of the first pledge.These conditions are correct in themselves, but the fundamental issue that Abdul Razzaq of the Caliphate Group has forgotten is the actual seat of the caliphate where the caliph should be established. Where is this caliphate? In which country does the caliph intend to establish himself? Without any territory or place, how can the caliphate be proclaimed? If there is no destination, how can the ride continue aimlessly? If someone claims ownership of something without actually possessing it, it is a false claim, and such a person would be considered a liar.
- A prophet did not claim prophethood until it was granted to him.
- A person does not call himself a husband before marriage.
- If someone has not bought a house, property, or land, he cannot claim ownership before purchasing it. Similarly, if someone does not have a caliphate, he cannot be a caliph. Without a medical degree, no one can be called a doctor; without an engineering certificate, no one can be called an engineer; and without knowledge, no one can be called a scholar. Claiming to be a caliph without a caliphate is nothing more than a madman's rant, and pledging allegiance to such a false caliph is an example of layers of darkness. Instead, the so-called caliph should advertise himself as a "candidate for the caliphate," which would be a more appropriate step. However, a strong campaign would be needed, and they should specify which country or region they are a candidate for. There are many disputed areas where such a campaign could be run. Another simple solution is for the caliph to change his name to "Caliph," which would satisfy the desire to be called a caliph.
The claim is also being made that it is not necessary for a caliph to have power and authority; a caliph can be a caliph without power and authority. This is like saying, "Press the knee, and the eye pops out," which reflects ignorance. If you are talking about a spiritual leader in a shrine, we agree that such a caliph does not need power and authority. However, a caliph who is supposed to implement Islam in the world and raise the banner of truth on Allah's earth cannot be a caliph without power and authority. Here are some proofs to consider:
Sayyiduna Abu Huraira (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
"The Imam (caliph) is a shield behind whom you fight and protect yourselves. If he commands the fear of Allah and is just, he will be rewarded; if he does otherwise, he will bear the sin."
(Bukhari: 2957; Muslim: 4773)
Allah's promise of granting caliphate:
"Allah has promised those among you who believe and do righteous deeds that He will certainly grant them succession to [the present rulers] in the land just as He granted it to those before them; and that He will surely establish for them 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."
(Surah An-Nur: 55)
This verse indicates that Allah has promised the believers that He will grant them caliphate on earth. They will implement Allah’s laws on earth, which is impossible without power and authority. The verse also mentions the caliphates granted to people before this Ummah. Consider the example of Dawood (AS):
"O Dawood, indeed We have made you a caliph on the earth, so judge between the people in truth and do not follow [your own] desire, as it will lead you astray from the way of Allah."
(Surah Sad: 26)
Another place mentions:
"And We strengthened his kingdom and gave him wisdom and discernment in speech."
(Surah Sad: 20)
And:
"So they defeated them by permission of Allah, and Dawood killed Jalut, and Allah gave him the kingdom and wisdom and taught him of that which He willed."
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 251)
After killing Jalut, Dawood (AS) was granted kingship and caliphate. However, during a debate, Waqar Ali Shah of the Caliphate Group incorrectly stated that after killing Jalut, Talut was made king, even though Talut’s kingship was declared before the battle.
"And their prophet said to them, 'Indeed, Allah has appointed Talut as king over you.'"
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 247)
Misinterpretation of Caliphate and Its Conditions
Waqar Ali Shah’s statements during the debate were based on ignorance. He continuously insisted on misapplying the mention of Dawood’s (AS) caliphate to Talut. He has written several critical books on the Jamaat-ul-Muslimeen, such as "Jamaat-ul-Muslimeen or Jamaat-ul-Takfir" and "Further Investigation." It seems he has now reverted to the same sectarian mindset he once criticized.
"As He granted to those before them"
The Quran mentions various caliphates granted to previous nations, but I will only reference them without detailing:
- Sayyiduna Yusuf (AS): (Surah Yusuf: 56)
- Sayyiduna Sulayman (AS): (Surah Sad: 35, 36; Surah An-Naml: 15, 16)
- Sayyiduna Dhul-Qarnayn (AS): (Surah Al-Kahf: 84)
Imam Mahdi
During the time of Isa (AS)'s descent, the caliph of the Muslims will be referred to as Imam Mahdi. Various hadiths use terms like caliph, imam, and leader for him.
- Sayyiduna Jabir (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
"A group of my Ummah will continue to fight for the truth and will prevail until the Day of Judgment. Then Isa ibn Maryam (AS) will descend, and their leader will say, 'Come and lead us in prayer.' Isa (AS) will reply, 'No, indeed some of you are leaders over others, as an honor from Allah for this Ummah.'"
(Sahih Muslim, Book of Faith, Hadith No. 395) - In another hadith narrated by Sayyiduna Jabir (RA), the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
"In the last days, there will be a caliph who will distribute wealth without counting it."
(Sahih Muslim, Book of Tribulations, Hadith Nos. 7315, 7317, 7318; Mishkat al-Masabih, Hadith No. 5441; Musnad Ahmad, Vol. 3, Pg. 317; Al-Mustadrak, Vol. 4, Pg. 454) - Sayyiduna Abu Huraira (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
"How will you be when the son of Mary (AS) descends among you, and your imam is from among you?"
(Sahih Bukhari, Book of Prophets, Hadith No. 3449; Sahih Muslim, Book of Faith, Hadith No. 393; Musnad Abu Awanah, Vol. 1, Pg. 106; Sharh as-Sunnah, Vol. 15, Pg. 82)
- Sahih Ibn Hibban, Hadith No. 2784
- As-Sahihah, Hadith No. 4014
- Tahqiq on Kitab al-Fitan wal-Malahim by Ibn Kathir
- Sunan Abu Dawood, Book of Mahdi
Addressing Misconceptions
Sayyiduna Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman (RA) narrates that people used to ask the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) about good, but he would ask him about evil, fearing that it might overtake him. He said, "O Messenger of Allah, we were in ignorance and evil, then Allah brought us this good. Will there be any evil after this good?" The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Yes." He asked, "Will there be any good after that evil?" The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Yes, but it will be tainted with some evil." He asked, "What will the evil be?" The Prophet (PBUH) said, "There will be some people who will lead according to other than my tradition. You will see their actions and disapprove of them." He asked, "Will there be any evil after that good?"
The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Yes, there will be callers at the gates of Hell. Whoever responds to their call, they will throw him into Hell." He asked, "O Messenger of Allah, describe them for us." The Prophet (PBUH) said, "They will be from our people and speak our language." He asked, "What do you command me to do if I live to see that time?" The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Stick to the group of Muslims and their imam." He asked, "What if there is no group and no imam?" The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Then isolate yourself from all these sects, even if you have to bite the roots of a tree until death overtakes you in that state."
(Sahih Bukhari, Book of Tribulations, Hadith Nos. 7084, 3606; Sahih Muslim, Book of Governance, Hadith No. 4784)
This hadith’s phrase "Stick to the group of Muslims and their imam" has been misinterpreted to mean joining the Caliphate Group and pledging allegiance to their leader. Before this, Masood Ahmed (BSc) also misused this narration for his Jamaat-ul-Muslimeen, and Waqar Ali Shah, influenced by him, joined their group for some time. Later, he left the group and joined the Caliphate Group, becoming its leader in Pakistan. Another version of this hadith includes the term "caliph."
"If Allah has a caliph on earth, even if he strikes your back and takes your wealth, obey him."
(Abu Dawood, Book of Tribulations, Hadith Nos. 4244, 4245; graded Hasan, Musnad Ahmad, Vol. 5, Pg. 403; Al-Mustadrak, Vol. 4, Pg. 443; Mishkat al-Masabih, Vol. 3, Pg. 1484; Musnad Abu Awanah, Vol. 4, Pg. 470)
Imam Abu Awanah recorded the hadith "Stick to the group of Muslims and their imam" followed by this hadith. This hadith relates to governance and caliphate. If a caliphate exists, it is obligatory to pledge allegiance to its leader. However, if there is no caliphate, one should not join any sect or group but rather stay away from all fitnas and adhere strictly to the Quran and Sunnah.
Since the current caliphate group lacks an established caliphate, their followers' interpretation of this narration is incorrect. Merely assuming a title and receiving pledges do not make someone a caliph. Otherwise, people would start similar practices everywhere, resulting in countless pseudo-caliphates. Such actions are deceitful and fraudulent, traits unbecoming of a believer.