This thesis entitled "Concept of Khilafat in Islam and its
Historical Development^'' is to acquaint the students of Islamic
political thought with the true nature of the khilafah, its concept
and development on the basis of the Quran, sunnah and historical
narrations. In this study an attempt is made to have a discussion
on the whole period of the khilafah, discussing the changes and
alterations that took place, from the time of the Prophet (SAW) till
the end of the khilafah in 1343AH/1924AD by Mustafa Kamal.
The khilafah, which means a system of governance in
accordance with the political principles and juridical doctrines of
Islam, began just after the demise of the Prophet (SAW) and the
first head of the institution was Hazrat Abu Bakar who as the
successor to the Prophet (SAW) was generally called as
khalifarasullullah. His functions as khalifarasullullah, included
among other things keeping the Islamic society and state founded
by the Prophet (SAW) on the right track popularly termed as the
minhaj al-nubuwah. The khalifah had to follow in all his designs
and works the Quran and the sunnah. He was not divinely
appointed as was the case with the Prophet (SAW), rather he was
selected or elected by the Muslim Community. He officiated the
Prophet (SAW) in the enforcement of the shariah, without any
right to making any change in it. The law-making authority,
however, rested with the Islamic ummah as a whole of which the
khalifah was the foremost part. Historically speaking, the Islamic
state was passed on to the companions {sahabah) of the Prophet
(SAW) who kept the norms, traditions and bases established during
the Prophetic period.