and the Sunnah Though the ”Khalifch” was the head of the State, he was bound by all means to follow the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet. He had to exercise his authority according to the injunctions of the Holy Qur’an. If the ”Qur’an” was not explicit in any given matter he wao bound to refer to ”Sunnah” of the Holy Prophet. In case there was no clarification in the Sunnah it had to be referred to consent of scholars and coald give his own verdict based upon the Holy Qur’an and ”runnah”.2
The ”Khilafah” haa to perform some religious duties. He was the Imam of Holy Prophet’s mosque for five times Salat. To lead congregational Salat (in the position of an Imam) was regarded at that time as the sign of religious and political leadership in Islam. The ”Khalifah” was also the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. He used to appoint generals and send armies for war and at times he also gave instructions to the generals. Usually the ”Khalifah” took advice of the ”Shura” in appointment of the generals. The ”Khalifah” was also the final court of appeal and acted in a position similar to that of ”Chief Justice” of today. In the beginning (i.e. during the time of Hazrat Abu Bakr (Rad.A)) juuges were not appointed and the ”Khalifah” used to decide all the cases himself as the Holy Prophet (PBUH) did so. In the provinces the Governors used to perform judicial functions on his behalf. But later on (i.e. during the time of Hazrat Umar (Rad.A)) separate judges were appointed and the judiciary was independent of the executive, but the ”Khalifah” was considered as the final court of appeal,
