Ertugrul... A Ticking Time Bomb - Exploring Khilafah

The historical play Dirillis: Ertugrul has become a fever for many. It was quoted as ‘a silent ticking bomb’. Even with a high degree of fictional content, dramatization, few things against Shariah injunctions it aptly tries to portray Muslim prestige and their constant struggle for the prevalence of Islam. It accurately depicts major historical events and their outcomes to some extent. 

I had not been able to feel the importance of the establishment of Khilafah nor was I able to realize why a large number of subcontinental Muslims would react rashly to its end, when I was studying History as a subject. But this series gave me an idea of the concept, one which I was keen on exploring. 

All through the series, we witness Ertugrul’s personal sacrifice. We witness the many people who die in the way of Truth. And from that, from the ashes of many broken states rises yet again a Khilafah, the last one to be- the Ottoman Empire. 

The world before the Ottoman Empire was no different than from what it is now. Muslims fought each other succumbing to treason and conspiracies mainly, also while holding off their lands from invaders such as Crusaders and Mongols. After numerous losses and numerous victories, they eliminated weak leadership and established a stronger one which lasted 600 years, from 1299 till 1923. Alas, like all good things it came to an end- or a pause maybe- the major reason being disunity, disorganization and the treatment of Islam as a religion instead of a lifestyle. 

The Concept of Khilafah

A caliphate is an Islamic state under the leadership of a caliph, a person considered a politico-religious successor to the Islamic Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and a leader of the entire Ummah.

Delving into the concept, all Muslim sects agree to the need of a Khalifah and that of a Khalifah who will be considered the ruler over all Muslim communities around the globe, his word would be considered final and he would be the Muslim representative in international matters. 

What we differ over is who the Khalifah should be. Whether the Caliph is from the direct bloodline of the Holy Prophet or not, it is agreed that he should be of a strong character, a pious Muslim and a staunch follower of Islam. The appointment of the Khalifah is based on several procedures such as designation, shura (consultation) and bay`ah (pledge of allegiance). In history the Khilafah would reign over important Islamic heritage such as the Kaabah, Madinah and Jerusalem, regardless of where the center of Khilafah was situated. 

Historically a Khilafah was established right after the Holy Prophet with Hz. Abu Bakr taking the role of Khalifah. After Hz. Ali’s martyrdom, fighting ensued until the Umayyad Caliphate emerged as a victor. Then came the Abbasid Caliphate (750–1258). In the fourth major caliphate, the Ottoman Caliphate, the rulers of the Ottoman Empire claimed caliphal authority from 1517-1923. Throughout the history of Islam, a few other Muslim states, almost all hereditary monarchies, such as the Mamluk Sultanate (Cairo) and Ayyubid Caliphate (Aleppo)  have claimed to be caliphates. Conclusively the Ottoman Caliphate was the last existing caliphate, as of yet.

The Importance of Khilafah

Muslims of this era are facing a great existential crisis. We know little about Islam and most parents are worried of their teens moving towards atheism. Islam has been reduced to a religion from a lifestyle. Ideally, whatever we learn, engineering or biology or mathematics should and can be aligned with the greater purpose of being vicegerents on earth. This is portrayed by different characters in the Ertugrul series, we see doctors and teachers who have devoted their knowledge and services for the cause of Islam. This connection between Deen and dunya is lost on us and one of the many reasons is the fact that the Powers we look up to and follow, those who rule the world are in charge of everything, including lifestyles and education. These people are unbelievers, their roles are not aligned with Islam, and their ideologies are trickling into us. Hence it is very necessary to have a Muslim leadership to offer Islam as a universal solution to today’s socio economic plagues.

Secondly, we all are a witness to the atrocities being carried out against Muslims in Palestine, Kashmir Syria, India, Myanmar and now even China. Being members of the United Nation we cannot take independent steps to solve this problem. Neither can the UN prevent these genocides. Hence It is necessary for all Muslim states to come under one individual banner for survival, growth and success.

The End of the Ottoman Khilafah

During the first World War the Ottoman Empire sided with Germany, Hungary and Italy against Britain Russia and France. Fun fact – India agreed to fight for the British as they reigned over India at the time, on the condition that the Khilafah or the Ottoman Empire would not be harmed when they lost. However, when the Central Powers lost Turkey was punished by the Allies when they decided to take away their land. Just like Austrian and German land was broken up by the winners, so would be the Khilafah.

Though Britain broke Turkey down in terms of land, there were already many divisions within, and it was those divisions which finally led to Mustafa Kemal Attaturk (lit: father of Turks), a Turkish General gaining power in the Parliament and eventually the passing of a resolution which abolished both the Khilafat and the Empire. By that time the Sultan had next to no power left, he and his family were exiled. The move was necessary at the time or the Western Powers would have directly taken over. But Kemal strived for a Western lifestyle and wanted to free Turkey from inculcating Islam in politics. According to him ‘It is not our intention to curtail freedom of worship, but rather to ensure that matters of religion and those of the state do not become intertwined.’ Again, the problem was that he too separated the Deen from the dunya when the Qur’an emphasized on itself being a code of life. He established secularism marring the ideology of Islam

During all this drama, Turkey also signed a 100 year treaty (Treaty of Lausanne) with the Allies:

1. It restricted Turkey from drilling its own oil or taxing its sea routes

2. It finalized the political borders of Turkey (Greece and other non-Turkish states – including Arabia- became independent)

3. Lands like Cyprus were taken over by Britain

4. Turkey and Greece would not fly over the Greek Islands

5. Turkey could not re-establish the Khilafah

What next?

This treaty will end in 2023 and the President of Turkey, Tayyep Erdogan wishes to review its clauses also while establishing Turkey as a European Union state as well. It may also mean the revival of a Khilafah as Erdogan has previously made his views on the topic very clear. It may be that the production of dramas like Ertugrul and Osman by the Turkish government are also a move towards that. Let’s hope for the best and let us not make past mistakes again. It is Allah’s promise Islam shall prevail. As believers, we must find our purpose in Allah’s grand creation plan.

This article was published in Hiba Magazine's July 2020 issue, copyright belongs to them

P.S. Let me know what you think in the comments below!