format_quote Originally Posted by
Jedothek
It seems to be, however, that one cannot call Muhammad "Caliph" since he is not his own successor, any more than I am my own son.
Man is the vicegerent of Allah on earth (al-Baqara 2/ 30) and he is not left uncontrolled (without purpose) (al-Qiyama 75/ 36) according to the statements of the Quran. What is meant by the word vicegerent is to improve the world for and on behalf of Allah, to rule people, to apply the orders and recommendations of Allah among people, animals and non-living things.When a prophet is on earth,he is the incharge and the man in command to order,guide and help people towards the way of God.After that,a person from general public is elected to do the same task.However,He will not be perceived as Messenger and Prophet and his words will never deemed as final authority,this status will remain to be enjoyed by Holy Qur'an and as exemplified by Sunnah (the practice of the Prophet) unless otherwise in general affairs.
As successor to the Prophet, the Caliph was the head of the Muslim community and his primary responsibility was to continue in the path of the Prophet. Since religion was perfected and the door of Divine revelation was closed at the death of the Prophet, the Caliph was to make all laws in accordance with the Qur'an and the Sunnah. He was a ruler over Muslims but not their sovereign since sovereignty belongs to God alone. He was to be obeyed as long as he obeyed God.