Islam and the Contemporary World

Islam and the Contemporary World

The Position of Humanity in Islamic Environmental Theology: Caliph or Servant

Document Type : Original Research Article

Author
Assistant Professor, Department of Religions and Denominations, International University of Islamic Denominations, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
The theological concept of humanity as the “Khalīfah (vicegerent) of God” on earth is a widely held belief among Muslims. Although the term “Khalīfah” is mentioned twice in the Holy Quran, the phrase “Caliph of God” is never used. Historical sources suggest that this term was neither widely accepted nor prevalent during the time of the Prophet Muhammad and his companions. However, it appears that the phrase gradually gained popularity, particularly within political and governmental contexts, during the Umayyad and Abbasid caliphates. Over time, it shifted from political discourse into exegetical, hadith, mystical, theological, and philosophical domains. The key moment for this term’s transition from politics to theology seems to have occurred in the third century of the Islamic calendar, through the efforts of the great commentator, jurist, and historian, Tabari. For the first time, Tabari interpreted the word “Khalīfah” in verse 30 of Surah Al-Baqarah as meaning “Caliph of God.” After Tabarī, this interpretation was widely accepted and reiterated by most Muslim theologians, particularly within the fields of mysticism and Sufism. The phrase “Caliph of God,” born from “political theology,” carries contradictory meanings. The original meaning of “Khalīfah” refers to someone acting on behalf of an absent individual. However, the eternal, ever-present, governing, and perfect God described in the Holy Quran is not absent in a way that would require a weak and mortal human to take His place. In contrast, both the Quran and prophetic narrations describe humans as “ʿAbd Allah” (servants of God). This teaching of servitude, which emphasizes humility and modesty, fosters a more balanced relationship between humanity and the natural world, proposing an ethic of humility toward nature. Conversely, the anthropocentric teaching of humans as the “Caliph of God” asserts human superiority, dominance, and control over nature—an attitude that can lead to environmental degradation.
Keywords
Subjects

The Holy Quran.
The Holy Bible.
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