Editing Caliphate (section)

=== Views of Islamic theologians ===
Scholars like [[Al-Mawardi]],<ref>[[Al-Ahkam Al-Sultaniyah]] p. 9</ref> [[Ibn Hazm]],<ref>[[Al-Muhalla]], volume 9, p. 360</ref> [[Ahmad al-Qalqashandi]],<ref>Subul Al-Asha, volume 9, p. 277</ref> and [[Al-Sha`rani]]<ref>Al-Mizan, volume 2, p. 157</ref> stated that the global Muslim community can have only one leader at any given time. [[Al-Nawawi]]<ref>Mughni Al-Muhtaj, volume 4, p. 132</ref> and [[Abd al-Jabbar ibn Ahmad]]<ref>Al-Mughni fi abwab Al-Tawheed, volume 20, p. 243</ref> declared it impermissible to give oaths of loyalty to more than one leader.

[[Al-Joziri]] said:<ref>Al-Fiqh Alal-Mathahib Al- Arba’a (the fiqh of the four schools of thought), volume 5, p. 416</ref> {{blockquote|The Imams (scholars of the four schools of thought)- may Allah have mercy on them- agree that the Caliphate is an obligation, and that the Muslims must appoint a leader who would implement the injunctions of the religion, and give the oppressed justice against the oppressors. It is forbidden for Muslims to have two leaders in the world whether in agreement or discord.}}

Shia scholars have expressed similar opinions.<ref>Al-Fasl Fil-Milal, volume 4, p. 62</ref><ref>Matalib Ulil-Amr</ref><ref>Maqalat Al-Islamyin, volume 2, p. 134</ref><ref>Al-Moghni Fi Abuab Al-Tawhid, volume 20, pp. 58–145</ref> However, the Shia school of thought states that the [[Imamah (Shia)|leader]] must not be appointed by the Islamic ummah, but must be appointed by God.

[[Al-Qurtubi]] said that the caliph is the "pillar upon which other pillars rest", and said of the Quranic verse, "Indeed, man is made upon this earth a Caliph":<ref>{{qref|2|30|b=y}}</ref><ref>Tafseer ul-Qurtubi 264/1</ref>
{{blockquote|This Ayah is a source in the selection of an Imaam, and a Khaleef, he is listened to and he is obeyed, for the word is united through him, and the Ahkam (laws) of the Caliph are implemented through him, and there is no difference regarding the obligation of that between the Ummah ...}}

An-Nawawi said:<ref>Sharhu Sahih Muslim p. 205 vol 12</ref>{{blockquote|(The scholars) consented that it is an obligation upon the Muslims to select a Khalif}}

[[Al-Ghazali]] when writing of the potential consequences of losing the caliphate said:<ref>al Iqtisaad fil Itiqaad p. 240</ref>{{blockquote|The judges will be suspended, the Wilayaat (provinces) will be nullified, ... the decrees of those in authority will not be executed and all the people will be on the verge of Haraam}}

[[Ibn Taymiyyah]] said<ref>Siyaasah Shariyyah – chapter: 'The obligation of adherence to the leadership'</ref>{{Page needed|date=August 2010}}:

{{blockquote|It is obligatory to know that the office in charge of commanding over the people (ie: the post of the Khaleefah) is one of the greatest obligations of the [[Deen (Arabic term)|Deen]]. In fact, there is no establishment of the Deen except by it....this is the opinion of the [[salaf]], such as [[Al-Fuḍayl ibn ‘Iyāḍ]], [[Ahmad ibn Hanbal]] and others}}