Part 3: Every Human is a Caliph and Undergoes the Test of Rank

Every human being created by Allah S.W.T is a caliph on earth. This role is not limited to prophets and messengers alone but extends to every individual in society. We have all been chosen to manage and govern this world according to the rules and will of Allah S.W.T.

Allah S.W.T states in Surah Al-An’am 6:165:

وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَكُمْ خَلَـٰٓئِفَ ٱلْأَرْضِ وَرَفَعَ بَعْضَكُمْ فَوْقَ بَعْضٍۢ دَرَجَـٰتٍۢ لِّيَبْلُوَكُمْ فِى مَآ ءَاتَىٰكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ سَرِيعُ ٱلْعِقَابِ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَغَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۢ

"And it is He who has made you successors upon the earth and has raised some of you above others in degrees that He may try you through what He has given you. Indeed, your Lord is swift in penalty, but indeed, He is Forgiving and Merciful."

This verse clarifies that every advantage granted to an individual is a test, not an absolute privilege. Humans must understand that differences in rank, position, and responsibilities are not for pride or abuse, but as a trust that must be carried out with full faith and obedience to Allah S.W.T.

1. Every Human Has a Rank and Responsibility

Allah S.W.T has bestowed each person with different advantages. Some are given knowledge, wealth, power, or leadership. However, these advantages are not for boasting but are a responsibility that will be tested.

Allah S.W.T states in Surah Az-Zukhruf 43:32:

ٱلدُّنْيَا ۚ وَرَفَعْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ فَوْقَ بَعْضٍۢ دَرَجَـٰتٍۢ لِّيَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُهُم بَعْضًۭا سُخْرِيًّۭا ۗ وَرَحْمَتُ رَبِّكَ خَيْرٌۭ مِّمَّا يَجْمَعُونَ

"It is We who have apportioned among them their livelihood in the life of this world and have raised some of them above others in ranks so that some may take others in service. But the mercy of your Lord is better than whatever they accumulate."

Each person plays their role as a caliph within their capacity:

✔ A husband as the head of the family – Leading his wife and children with justice and responsibility.
✔ A teacher as a bearer of knowledge – Delivering the truth and educating future generations.
✔ A leader of a nation as Ulil Amri – Governing the people and upholding justice.

Every rank and position given will be questioned on the Day of Judgment. The Prophet Muhammad S.A.W said:

"Every one of you is a shepherd, and every shepherd is responsible for his flock."
(Hadith Narrated by Bukhari 7138 and Muslim 1829a)

2. The Test of Rank and Caliphate

Every advantage, power, and responsibility that a person possesses comes with trials and challenges. Some are tested with poverty and hardship, while others are tested with wealth and power.

Allah S.W.T reminds us in Surah Al-Anbiya’ 21:35:

كُلُّ نَفْسٍۢ ذَآئِقَةُ ٱلْمَوْتِ ۗ وَنَبْلُوكُم بِٱلشَّرِّ وَٱلْخَيْرِ فِتْنَةًۭ ۖ وَإِلَيْنَا تُرْجَعُونَ

"Every soul will taste death, and We test you with evil and with good as a trial; and to Us, you will be returned."

Humans often get trapped in two types of tests:

1. The Test of Power – Those who hold high positions in society are tested with arrogance and oppression.
2. The Test of Poverty and Weakness – Those who are less fortunate are tested with patience and faith in facing life’s hardships.

Every test is a chance for humans to draw closer to Allah S.W.T or become heedless and stray away from Him.

3. The Threat of Injustice in the Caliphate

A caliph who does not fulfill their responsibility with honesty and justice will bring destruction upon themselves and their people. Allah S.W.T has destroyed many past nations because their leaders disobeyed Him and oppressed their people.

Allah S.W.T states in Surah Yunus 10:13:

وَلَقَدْ أَهْلَكْنَا ٱلْقُرُونَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَمَّا ظَلَمُوا۟ ۙ وَجَآءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ وَمَا كَانُوا۟ لِيُؤْمِنُوا۟ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ

"And We had already destroyed generations before you when they wronged, and their messengers had come to them with clear proofs, but they would not believe. Thus do We recompense the criminal people."

Among the main sins of past caliphs that led to their downfall:

❌ Rejecting Allah’s laws and replacing them with man-made laws.
❌ Using power to oppress and exploit others.
❌ Clinging to authority through corruption and refusing to accept the truth.

A tyrannical leader will face severe punishment in both this world and the hereafter. The Prophet Muhammad S.A.W said:

"There is no leader who takes charge of his people’s affairs and dies while betraying them, except that Allah will forbid Paradise for him."
(Hadith Narrated by Muslim 142a)

4. Lessons from Past Caliphates

Allah S.W.T has provided many stories in the Qur’an about nations that were destroyed because their leaders failed in their caliphate. Among them:

📌 The People of Prophet Nuh (Noah) – Drowned in a great flood due to their arrogance and refusal to accept the truth.
📌 The People of ‘Ād (Prophet Hud) – Destroyed by a violent storm because of their pride and defiance of Allah’s law.
📌 The People of Thamud (Prophet Salih) – Annihilated by an earthquake for rejecting the signs of Allah S.W.T.

Allah S.W.T states in Surah Yunus 10:14:

ثُمَّ جَعَلْنَـٰكُمْ خَلَـٰٓئِفَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِمْ لِنَنظُرَ كَيْفَ تَعْمَلُونَ

"Then We made you successors in the land after them so that We may observe how you will do."

This verse demonstrates that Allah S.W.T continually replaces unjust nations with new caliphs. This is the cycle of the caliphate that repeats throughout human history.

Conclusion: The Trust of Caliphate is a Heavy Test

Being a caliph is not a privilege but a heavy responsibility. Every individual who is given leadership will be tested with the trust they hold and will be held accountable in the Hereafter.

Thus, as humans:

✅ Do not be arrogant about rank and privileges given.
✅ Use power and authority to uphold justice and truth.
✅ Always remember that every trust will be questioned by Allah S.W.T on Judgment Day.

Allah S.W.T reminds in Surah Al-Hashr 59:18:

"O you who have believed, fear Allah. And let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do."

❗ If we want to be successful caliphs, we must understand this trust and fulfill it with full responsibility.