Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 1 of 2

336 The oath of allegiance to 'Ali, his characteristics & his way of life
something good, then go ahead and do it; if you see something evil,
then leave it."
He concluded wlth the Qur'anic verse that they needed to he
reminded of, so as to compare how they were before Islam and after.
They had been few in number, weak, lonely and in a state of
obscurity, to the extent that they were like a piece of meat pecked by
birds, but now [after Islam came] they had gained in strength,
abundance, security, peace, prosperity and riches. Allah (&) had
granted them blessings, so they had become famous; their banners
were planted throughout the world, and people and countries had
submitted to them.96
1.5.6. The equivalence of the words 'imam',
'caliph' and 'Amir al-Mu'mineen'
An-Nawawi said: "It is permissible to call the ruler caliph,
imam and Amir al-~u'mineen."" Ihn Khaldoon said: "We have
explained the definition of this position: it is someone who acts on
behalf of the one who brought Sharia with regard to protecting the
religion and taking care of the worldly affairs of the Muslims. That
post may be called the caliphate or imamate, and the one who fills
that post may be called the caliph or imam."98 Ihn Mandhoor - defines
the caliphate as ~lershi~.~~ Abn Zahrah explained the similarity
between these two words caliphate and greater imamate: "It is called
caliphate (khilafah) because the one who takes that post and becomes
the ultimate ruler of the Muslims is taking the position of succeeding
the Prophet (g) with regard to running their affairs; and it is called
the imamate because the caliph was called imam, because obedience
to him is obligatory, and the people rally behind him as they would
rally behind the one who led them in prayer."100 Professor
Muhammad al-Muhkak explained the reason for the choice of these
words - imam, caliph and Amir al-Mu'mineen - as aimed at