Differences between Khilafah and the Nation state
Sayyid Qutb says, “It may happen, in the development of human systems, that they coincide with Islam at times and diverge from it at others. Islam, however, is a complete and independent system and has no connection with these systems, neither when they coincide with it nor when they diverge from it.
| Aspect | Khilafah (Caliphate) | Nation-State |
|---|---|---|
| Basis of Authority | Divine authority; based on Islamic Shariah (Quran and Sunnah). | Secular authority; based on man-made laws, constitutions, and popular sovereignty. |
| Source of Law | Islamic Shariah (Quran, Sunnah, Ijma, Qiyas). | Human-made laws, constitutions, and legal systems. |
| Leadership | Caliph (Khalifah) appointed through consultation (Shura) or bay’ah (pledge of allegiance). | Elected or appointed leaders (e.g., presidents, prime ministers). |
| Citizenship | Based on faith (Ummah); open to all Muslims regardless of ethnicity or nationality. | Based on territorial belonging; tied to nationality and legal status. |
| Territoriality | Not confined to specific borders; universal system for Muslims worldwide. | Defined by fixed geographical borders and sovereignty. |
| Legal System | Shariah-based legal system; laws derived from Islamic principles. | Secular legal system; laws derived from human reasoning and societal needs. |
| Economy | Islamic economic system (e.g., prohibition of interest, zakat, wealth redistribution). | Capitalist, socialist, or mixed economies based on secular principles. |
| Foreign Policy | Focused on spreading Islam and protecting Muslim interests globally. | Focused on national interests, diplomacy, and international relations. |
| Unity | Unity of the Muslim Ummah (global Muslim community) under one leader. | Division into independent states with separate governments and policies. |
| Religious Role | Religion and state are inseparable; governance is a religious duty. | Separation of religion and state (secularism); religion is a private matter. |
| Historical Context | Existed in Islamic history (e.g., Rashidun, Umayyad, Abbasid, Ottoman Caliphates). | Emerged after the Treaty of Westphalia (1648) as a modern political system. |
| Primary Identity | Religious identity (Muslim Ummah). | National identity (e.g., American, French, Indian). |
| Governance Structure | Centralized authority with regional governors (Walis) overseeing provinces. | Decentralized or federal structures with local governments. |
| Accountability | Caliph is accountable to Allah and the Ummah; must rule justly according to Shariah. | Leaders are accountable to the constitution, laws, and citizens. |
