Book Name:Mankind and the Station of Khilafah
This was a brief reply given by Allah Almighty to the angels. But what was that matter which Allah Almighty knew, and the angels could not perceive? A detailed explanation is mentioned in the next verse of the noble Quran, which we will listen to in the following Friday’s gathering اِنْ شَــآءَالـلّٰـه.
Dear Islamic brothers! This sacred verse contains many lessons and points to understand. One key point, which is also the central theme of this verse, is that Allah Almighty has made man His vicegerent (Khalīfah).
Even before mankind was created, they were introduced in the following manner:
اِنِّیْ جَاعِلٌ فِی الْاَرْضِ خَلِیْفَةًؕ-
“I am about to make a vicegerent (khalīfa) upon the earth.”
Sayyidunā ꜤAbdullāh b. MasꜤūd and Sayyidunā ꜤAbdullāh b. ꜤAbbās رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهُم have mentioned in the commentary of this verse:
ذٰلِكَ الْخَلِيفَةُ هُوَ آدَمُ وَمَنْ قَامَ مَقَامَهُ
That Khalīfah is Prophet Ādam عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام and whoever comes in his place (meaning, whoever possesses the capability of being Prophet Ādam’s عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام representative) is also Allah’s Khalīfah on the Earth.”[1]
Revered scholars of Islam رَحِمَهُمُ الـلّٰـهُ have explained: “The greatest Khalīfah on Earth is none other than our beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم.[2]
Imam Aḥmad Riḍā Khan رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه writes in his poetry
us ke na`ib, in kay sahib Haq say khalq milate ye hai
Qadir-e-Kul kay na`ib-e-akbar Kun ka rang dikhate ye hai