so if the conditions are present, I should perform Hajj myself and also motivate others to do so. Allah Almighty has forbidden usury, so I must protect myself from this abomination and save others from it.

In short, according to one’s ability and position, in line with the methods taught by Allah Almighty, and with wisdom behind every action, implementing the commands of Allah Almighty upon oneself and others is what is referred to as Khilāfah.

In simple terms, this means, “I must strive to reform myself and people of the entire world – اِنْ شَــآءَالـلّٰـه.”

Since the noble Prophets عَـلَـيْـهِمُ الـصَّلٰوةُ وَالـسَّـلَام are born as Prophets, they are infallible and free from sins; they do not need self-reform, as they are already perfect. They carry out the reform of others. But for us ordinary humans, it is necessary that we reform ourselves and strive for the reformation of others.

This is our true station and status, and it is obligatory upon all of us to make ourselves worthy of this position. Now the question is: what must we do to achieve this?

Understand your real status!

The very first step is that we must acknowledge this reality, that our actual status is none other than this. Many among us do not even recognise this. One wishes to become a doctor, another a pilot, someone else a businessman, some chase wealth, others chase cars and mansions. Granted, all of these are within the circle of worldly needs to some extent, but does that mean we forget our real status, our first and foremost identity?

If this realisation enters our hearts, that our actual status is striving to implement the commands of Allah Almighty on Earth, then we can carry this out even while being a doctor, pilot, or even during business dealings, striving both for our own reformation and the betterment of others. The only thing needed is that we awaken this sense of responsibility within ourselves.

“Allah Almighty has made me a muḥtasib”

Sayyidunā Mūsā Jangī Dost رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه was the father of Shaykh ꜤAbd al-Qādir