The CONCEPT OF THE "CALIPH" IN SUNNI AND SHI’A WRITINGS

Abstract

The Concept of a Caliph is of great importance in the history of Islam. The formation of the Islamic State, founded after the death of the Prophet Muhammad, was based on the institution of the Caliph. The caliph became the deputy of the apostle, who governed the state according to divine laws. The concept of caliph caused and causes a great controversy between Muslim and non-Muslim theologians and scholars. Due to the religious division in the history of Islam, two main approaches were formed: Sunni and Shiite. The study discussed the term "Caliph" and its historical development, the history of the formation of the institution of the caliph, the analysis of the historical development of its role and functions, and the Sunni and Shiite concepts that have been formed in Islamic political thought over the centuries. The article analyses the Sunni and Shiite concept of the Caliph. The Shiite concepts are mainly based on the Shiite sect of Ismailites doctrine. Ismailites, like all Muslims, recognize the Qur'an and the Hadith as the primary source of their legislation. They, like other Shiite sects, are distinguished from Sunnis by the doctrine of Imam. So, according to the Ismailite sect, the Imam is the supreme authority who interprets God's laws. The Sunni version of the concept of Caliph in the article is based on the Sunni thinkers and commentators of the Qur'an. According to Al-Mawdudi, the Pakistani Muslim thinker, the caliph is responsible for fulfilling God’s willing on the earth. The caliph obeys the God and follows his rules.