What is the real status of mankind?

Dear Islamic brothers! Mankind was first mentioned in this manner. Allah proclaimed:

اِنِّیْ جَاعِلٌ فِی الْاَرْضِ خَلِیْفَةًؕ-

“I am about to make a vicegerent (khalīfa) upon the earth.”

This is the actual state of humanity. What have we been created as? Khalīfahs upon the earth. Whether I become a doctor or not, whether I become wealthy or not, whether I become a prominent businessman or not, even if I were to hold the entire world in my hand, if I do not make myself worthy of this Khilāfah, then it means I came into this world and achieved nothing. Because I did not attain the true status I was given, nor fulfil the very purpose for which I was sent here.

"It is essential for all of us to strive toward the true status we have been given—the very position Allah Almighty mentioned even before our creation—and to cultivate within ourselves the capability to attain it. From this verse, there are two things we need to learn and understand:

1.What does the position of Khilāfah, which Allah Almighty mentioned in relation to mankind, actually mean?

2.How can we make ourselves worthy of this position?

The meaning of Khilāfah

In this context, Khilāfah means: اِقَامَۃُ اَحْکَامِ اللہِ وَ تَنْفِیْذُقَضَایَاہٗ  - to establish the commandments of Allah Almighty and to implement His decrees [on Earth].^[1]

For example:

Allah Almighty has commanded prayer, so I should perform prayer myself and encourage others to pray. Allah Almighty has commanded fasting, so I should fast myself and encourage others to fast. Allah Almighty has commanded Hajj,