A quick glance at the noble Islamic Aqeedah (creed) shows that it is a comprehensive belief system encompassing two essential aspects:
First: The Spiritual Bond; this is the relationship between the servant and their Lord. It guides the individual in the following areas: A) Relationship with Allah (SWT): Such as performing prayers (salah), fasting, making dhikr, and other acts of worship. B) Relationship with oneself: Such as eating, drinking, dressing, and personal habits. This spiritual aspect of Islam can, to some extent, be practiced without the presence of a Khilafah Rashidah (Rightly Guided Caliphate). However, even this partial practice lacks full protection and proper implementation. A clear example is what happened during the COVID-19 pandemic when Muslims and others were banned from attending places of worship, including mosques. Even when the restrictions were lifted, new methods of worship were imposed completely contrary to the guidance of Allah (SWT) and the Sunnah of the Messenger (SAW).
A recent and direct example is the ruling of the Supreme Court of Kenya on June 30, 2025, in the case of Fatma Athman Abud Faraj vs. Ruth Faith Mwawasi & 2 Others (SC Pet. E035/2023). The court ruled that children born outside of marriage (illegitimate children) have the same right to inherit as legitimate children even in cases governed by Islamic law.
This contradicts core Islamic rulings that restrict inheritance for specific cases, such as a child born through zinaab(illicit sexual relations), person who murders the deceased. Or when there’s a difference in religion between the deceased and the heir. These rulings are not arbitrary but reflect Islam’s deep alignment with human nature. They aim to ensure lineage, justice, and moral integrity in society.
Islam teaches that since humans are created with natural attraction to the opposite gender, this desire should be fulfilled only through lawful marriage. In contrast, colonial capitalist systems through democracy and liberalism opened the door wide to moral decay, such as the LGBTQ+ movement, which directly threatens the sanctity of the family structure.
The result?
Today, people are raising and financing children who are not their biological offspring. Upon their death, these children inherit property, while true relatives by blood are deprived an outright injustice.
Islam’s prohibition of inheritance for children of zina is a deterrent against fornication, and a push towards legal marriage as the only valid path for family and inheritance rights. It also provides a system of accountability for those who transgress.
Second: The Political Bond: This aspect governs the practical affairs of life in areas such as Economics. Social system, Politics Education, Domestic and Foreign Policies of the State. This bond, like the spiritual one, cannot be fully implemented or protected without a Khilafah Rashidah that upholds and enforces the laws of Islam.Without the Khilafah,Islamic rulings remain in books unimplemented, no matter how just, wise, or attractive they may be.
Allah (SWT) says in the Qur’an:
“Those who, if we give them authority in the land, establish prayer and give zakah and enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong. And to Allah belongs the outcome of all matters.”
(Surah Al-Hajj, 22:41)
Explanation of the Ayah:
- “If we give them authority in the land”
They are granted governance and leadership over society.
2 “They establish prayer”
They ensure that all adult Muslims pray, and take appropriate Shari’ah action against those who neglect it.
- “They give zakah”
They oversee the collection and distribution of zakah according to Islamic principles.
- “They enjoin good and forbid evil”
They actively promote good and prevent vice—not ju…
Allah also says:
“وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ إِلَّا تَفْعَلُوهُ تَكُن فِتْنَةٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَفَسَادٌ كَبِيرٌ“.
“Those who disbelieve are allies of one another. If you do not do the same, there will be fitnah (trial) in the land and great corruption.”
(Surah Al-Anfal, 8:73)
Meaning
The absence of the Khilafah Rashidah is the root cause of today’s global corruption, confusion, and societal decay. The noble swahaba Uthman Bin Affan Once said: “Indeed, Allah restrains (evil) through the authority of the state what He does not restrain through the Qur’an alone. This means the Islamic state is necessary to implement and protect Islamic laws. While the Qur’an is a divine guide, enforcement and accountability require state authority.
Testimony of Umar ibn Abdul Aziz: As narrated by ASwabbah ibn Sawadah al-Kindiy, he heard Umar ibn Abdul Aziz recite the verse:
“Those who, if we give them authority in the land…” Then he said:
“This verse is not only about the ruler it concerns both the ruler and the ruled. Shall I tell you your rights over the ruler, and his rights over you? Your right is that the ruler holds you accountable for Allah’s commands, that he takes the right of the oppressed from the oppressor. That he guides you to the straight path to the best of his ability. And your duty is:
- Obedience with sincerity
- without resistance or coercion.
- And without hypocrisy between public and private behavior.”
Conclusion: The laws of Allah (SWT) do not have protection or implementation under colonial, capitalist, democratic systems. Those who believed that “freedom of religion” ensures full practice of Islam under these systems must rethink their position after recent events.
Under any system other than Islam, the honor, dignity, and wealth of Muslims remain at the mercy of non-Islamic regimes, which change rules at their own whims. Only under a true Islamic authority the Khilafah Rashidah can Allah’s laws and the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW) be respected, preserved, and implemented fully.
Written by:
Hussein Muhammad
Member of Hizb-ut-Tahrir, Kenya.