WE LEARN FROM SOME hadiths that the political fortunes of the Muslims shall soon take a turn for the better with the return of tawhid or Abrahamic monotheism being manifested in souls and upon the political landscape, in the form of a righteous caliphate (khilafah).

Hence we read at the start of one hadith: ‘Disagreement shall ensue on the death of a caliph; and a man from Madinah will flee to Makkah. Some Makkans will go to him and bring him out against his will, and pledge allegiance (bay‘ah) to him between the Corner [of the Ka‘bah] and the Station [of Abraham] …’1

In another hadith: ‘Three men, all of whom are sons of a caliph, will fight over your treasure, but none of them shall get to it …’2

Then there is this news: ‘Prophethood will remain among you for as long as God wishes it to, then God…