Abstract/Sommario: Since Kemal Ataturk abolished the Caliphate in 1924, the unity of the umma and its guidance has become a crucial issue in the Islamic world. Up until then, the caliph represented the symbol of both political and spiritual unity. The article of fr. Nicelli aims at giving a through vision of the theological, judicial, and political nature of the caliphate. The author analyses the evolution of such relevant institution in the Muslim society from its elective system to the emergence of t ...; [Leggi tutto...]
Since Kemal Ataturk abolished the Caliphate in 1924, the unity of the umma and its guidance has become a crucial issue in the Islamic world. Up until then, the caliph represented the symbol of both political and spiritual unity. The article of fr. Nicelli aims at giving a through vision of the theological, judicial, and political nature of the caliphate. The author analyses the evolution of such relevant institution in the Muslim society from its elective system to the emergence of the dynastic principle which never found its basis in the ideals of the Qur'an of the khalifat Allah (Caliphate of God), but was dictated by political interests and public policy based on the right to succeed between the members of one family,. The most relevant issue that is addressed regards the characteristics and functions of the caliph in modern society. Some modern authors have tried to reinterpret this traditional institution within the frame of the changing world. A question will then arise: 'are they abandoning the specifically Islamic notion of the original caliphate by allowing historical circumstances to influence their contemporaries?' In any case, as the author stresses in conclusion ' the issue of the harmonization of tradition, Islamic law, and the diverse institutional forms with modern law cannot be abstracted from the institution of the historical caliphate with its theological and judicial significance'