Khilafat-e-Rashidah — Page 7
KHILAFAT-E-R A SHIDAH 7 An Objection on Religious Khilafat The third point is that if anyone were to prove that Islam has not presented any specific organization, it would not only affect monarchic Khilafat, but also the one presented by us. Thus, the monarchic Khilafat and the purely spiritual organization would both come under fire. All arguments presented against the Turkish Khilafat also affect Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya. Therefore, it is necessary that we should discuss these arguments in detail, for if Islam has not presented a specific organization, then Muslims would have free rein to choose not only the type of organization of state, but also that of religion. It would further grant them the unrestricted freedom to choose their own organization in any age and in any country. Combination of Organizations of State and Religion in Early Period of Islam This question acquires greater importance when we find that the organizations of state and religion were combined in the early period of Islam. Along with a religious organization in effect, there was also a standing army and justices as well. They administered penal laws, collected ransom, distributed stipends, and appointed people to offices. Similarly, they had institutionalized S al a t , Fasting, Hajj, and payment of Zakat. Thus, in early Islam, both types of organizations were combined. If it were argued that this does not ordain any specific organization, then the