Dr. Israr Ahmad’s Concept of Khilafah in the vision of his Tafsir Biyan-al Quran and Sermons

ڈاکٹراسراراحمد کا تصورخلافت:تفسیر بیان القرآن  اور خطبات کی روشنی میں

Abstract

Dr. Israr Ahmad (1932–2010), a renowned Islamic scholar and thinker from the Indian subcontinent, developed a comprehensive and revivalist vision of Khilafah (Caliphate) rooted in Qur'anic teachings, prophetic traditions, and the historical legacy of early Islam. His conception of Khilafah transcends a mere political structure, framing it instead as a holistic, divinely ordained system meant to establish the sovereignty of Allah (Hakimiyyah) on earth through a collective implementation of Islamic values, law (Shari‘ah), and socio-economic justice. Central to Dr. Israr’s thought is the idea that Khilafah is not confined to a specific dynasty or geographical territory, but represents a spiritual and moral responsibility (Amanah) bestowed upon the Muslim Ummah. Drawing inspiration from verses such as Surah An-Nur (24:55) and Surah Al-Baqarah (2:30), Dr. Israr argues that the re-establishment of Khilafah is both a religious obligation and a historical necessity to counter the materialism and secularism of modern civilization. He emphasizes individual and collective reform through education (Tarbiyah), spiritual purification (Tazkiyah), and organized activism as preconditions for political change. Dr. Israr’s approach combines traditional Islamic scholarship with a modern analytical framework, allowing him to critique both Western political models and autocratic regimes in the Muslim world. His movement, Tanzeem-e Islami, sought to prepare a morally upright vanguard committed to non-violent, constitutional means for societal transformation. This abstract explores the philosophical underpinnings, scriptural basis, and practical implications of Dr. Israr’s concept of Khilafah, highlighting its relevance in contemporary debates on governance, revivalism, and Islamic political thought. Through a revivalist yet non-revolutionary lens, Dr. Israr’s vision offers an alternative paradigm to both liberal secularism and radical extremism, inviting Muslims to reflect upon their collective mission as stewards of divine guidance in a fragmented world.