Stage 3: Istilamul Hukmi — Attaining Power to Establish the Khilafah
Dear readers,
Have you ever imagined a house construction project that has been going on for years? The architect has completed the design. The workers are trained and ready. Materials have been gathered at the site. Everything is ready — except for one most crucial thing: a plot of land on which the house will be built.
“And Allah has promised those who have believed among you and done righteous deeds that He will surely grant them succession [to authority] upon the earth.” (QS. An-Nur [24]: 55)
This is Marhalah Istilamul Hukmi (مرحلة استلام الحكم) — the third and final stage in Hizbut Tahrir’s da’wah journey, where after society is ready through intensive education (Tatsqif) and after da’wah has successfully interacted widely with the ummah (Tafa’ul), the time comes to attain power so that Islamic Shariah can be implemented in reality, comprehensively, and bindingly.
This phase is not about a bloody coup. Not about a violent revolution that destroys the order. Istilamul Hukmi is about peaceful transfer of power, when the ummah itself — with full awareness — asks the bearers of da’wah to lead them and implement Allah’s law on earth.
Let us study this culminating stage carefully together.
1. Why Da’wah Needs Power
Dear readers, allow me to pose a fundamental question: can Islam be implemented perfectly without a state?
The answer can be guessed: it cannot. And this is not a subjective opinion — it is a reality we can prove from every aspect of life.
Imagine zakat. Who calculates, collects, and distributes it fairly across all regions? Imagine hudud. Who enforces Allah’s law against thieves, adulterers, and drinkers of khamr? Imagine jihad. Who leads the army to defend the ummah? Imagine muamalat. Who regulates the economic system, banking, and trade to be in accordance with Shariah?
All of this requires one authority with binding power — namely the state.
وَمَنْ لَمْ يَحْكُمْ بِمَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ فَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْكَافِرُونَ
“And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed — then it is those who are the disbelievers.” (QS. Al-Ma’idah [5]: 44)
This verse is not individual — it is collective. Meaning, the obligation to judge by Islamic Shariah is not only an individual responsibility, but the responsibility of the entire ummah that must be realized through the institution of the state.
| Aspect of Shariah | Without State | With State |
|---|---|---|
| Zakat | Voluntary, uneven | Obligatory, organized, even |
| Hudud | Cannot be enforced | Enforced by qadhi |
| Jihad | No command | Led by the Khalifah |
| Economy | Capitalism prevails | Islamic economic system |
| Education | Secular dominates | Islamic education |
| Social Interaction | Free without limits | Shariah rules preserved |
| Foreign Policy | Subservient to the West | Fully sovereign |
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ himself could not implement Shariah perfectly in Makkah for 13 years. He could only fully establish Islamic law after arriving in Madinah and becoming the leader of a state.
This is the urgency of power in Islam: it is not the ultimate goal, but a necessary means to implement all of Allah’s law comprehensively.
2. Definition of Istilamul Hukmi: What Is Actually Meant
Let us understand this term in depth.
اسْتِلَامُ الْحُكْمِ: هُوَ تَسَلُّمُ السُّلْطَةِ وَالْقِيَادَةِ لِتَطْبِيقِ أَحْكَامِ الْإِسْلَامِ بِدَعْمٍ مِنَ الْأُمَّةِ
“Istilamul Hukmi is receiving power and leadership to implement the laws of Islam with support from the ummah.”
Etymologically:
- Istilam (استلام) = receiving, taking, attaining
- Hukmi (الحكم) = governance, power, political authority
So Istilamul Hukmi means attaining political authority to implement Islam — not by force or coup, but through support and request from the ummah itself.
| Concept | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Not a coup | Not seizing power by force |
| Not elections | Not through the batil democratic system |
| Not violence | Not through weapons and bloodshed |
| Through the ummah’s support | The ummah requests and gives bay’ah |
| Through ahlul quwwah | Those with power give nushrah |
It is important to understand that Istilamul Hukmi is not the ultimate goal of da’wah. It is the entry point toward comprehensive implementation of Shariah. Like someone obtaining a house key — the key is not the goal, but a tool to enter the house and live life within it.
Fundamental difference between Istilamul Hukmi and other forms of obtaining power:
| Aspect | Coup | Elections | Istilamul Hukmi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Source of legitimacy | Weapons | Majority vote | Bay’ah of the ummah |
| Method | Violence | Political campaign | Thalabun Nushrah |
| Legal basis | De facto power | Man-made constitution | Islamic Shariah |
| Purpose | Group interests | Campaign promises | Implementation of Allah’s law |
| Result | New tyranny | Change of elites without change | Establishment of Khilafah |
Hizbut Tahrir firmly rejects coups and violent revolutions as methods of attaining power. The method followed is Thalabun Nushrah — seeking help and support from those with power (ahlul quwwah) and from the ummah as a whole.
3. Shariah Basis: Allah’s Promise That Will Certainly Happen
Dear readers, this stage of Istilamul Hukmi is not merely political strategy. It is rooted in the promise of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala stated in the Qur’an and directly exemplified by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in the Prophetic Sirah.
Allah’s Promise in the Qur’an
The clearest evidence about Istilamul Hukmi is found in QS. An-Nur:
وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنْكُمْ وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَيَسْتَخْلِفَنَّهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ كَمَا اسْتَخْلَفَ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ وَلَيُمَكِّنَنَّ لَهُمْ دِينَهُمُ الَّذِي ارْتَضَى لَهُمْ وَلَيُبَدِّلَنَّهُمْ مِنْ بَعْدِ خَوْفِهِمْ أَمْنًا يَعْبُدُونَنِي لَا يُشْرِكُونَ بِي شَيْئًا
“Allah has promised those who have believed among you and done righteous deeds that He will surely grant them succession [to authority] upon the earth just as He granted it to those before them and that He will surely establish for them [therein] their religion which He has preferred for them and that He will surely substitute for them, after their fear, security, [for] they worship Me, not associating anything with Me.” (QS. An-Nur [24]: 55)
Note three promises of Allah in this verse:
- Layastakhlifannahum — will surely grant them authority
- Layumakkinanna — will surely establish their religion
- Layubaddilannahum — will surely replace fear with security
This is not a prayer. This is not a hope. This is Allah’s promise that will certainly happen for those who believe and do righteous deeds.
Second evidence from QS. Al-Hajj:
أُذِنَ لِلَّذِينَ يُقَاتَلُونَ بِأَنَّهُمْ ظُلِمُوا وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَى نَصْرِهِمْ لَقَدِيرٌ الَّذِينَ أُخْرِجُوا مِنْ دِيَارِهِمْ بِغَيْرِ حَقٍّ إِلَّا أَنْ يَقُولُوا رَبُّنَا اللَّهُ وَلَوْلَا دَفْعُ اللَّهِ النَّاسَ بَعْضَهُمْ بِبَعْضٍ لَهُدِّمَتْ صَوَامِعُ وَبِيَعٌ وَصَلَوَاتٌ وَمَسَاجِدُ يُذْكَرُ فِيهَا اسْمُ اللَّهِ كَثِيرًا وَلَيَنْصُرَنَّ اللَّهُ مَنْ يَنْصُرُهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَقَوِيٌّ عَزِيزٌ الَّذِينَ إِنْ مَكَّنَّاهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ أَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَوُا الزَّكَاةَ وَأَمَرُوا بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَنَهَوْا عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَلِلَّهِ عَاقِبَةُ الْأُمُورِ
“Permission [to fight] has been given to those who are being fought, because they were wronged. And indeed, Allah is competent to give them victory — [They are] those who have been evicted from their homes without right — only because they say, ‘Our Lord is Allah.’ And were it not that Allah checks the people, some by means of others, there would have been demolished monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques in which the name of Allah is much mentioned. And Allah will surely support those who support Him. Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in Might — [And they are] those who, if We give them authority in the land, establish prayer and give zakah and enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong. And to Allah belongs the outcome of [all] matters.” (QS. Al-Hajj [22]: 39-41)
This verse describes the real picture of those who have attained power: they establish prayer, give zakah, enjoin good and forbid evil. This is the task of the Islamic state.
Third evidence from QS. Al-Qashash:
وَنُرِيدُ أَنْ نَمُنَّ عَلَى الَّذِينَ اسْتُضْعِفُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَنَجْعَلَهُمْ أَئِمَّةً وَنَجْعَلَهُمُ الْوَارِثِينَ
“And We wanted to confer favor upon those who were oppressed in the land and make them leaders and make them inheritors.” (QS. Al-Qashash [28]: 5)
Fourth evidence from QS. Al-Anbiya’:
وَلَقَدْ كَتَبْنَا فِي الزَّبُورِ مِنْ بَعْدِ الذِّكْرِ أَنَّ الْأَرْضَ يَرِثُهَا عِبَادِيَ الصَّالِحُونَ
“And We have already written in the book [of Psalms] after the [previous] mention that the land [of Paradise] is inherited by My righteous servants.” (QS. Al-Anbiya’ [21]: 105)
Fifth evidence from QS. As-Saff:
هُوَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُ بِالْهُدَى وَدِينِ الْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُ عَلَى الدِّينِ كُلِّهِ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْمُشْرِكُونَ
“It is He who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to manifest it over all religion, although those who associate others with Allah dislike it.” (QS. As-Saff [61]: 9)
Hadith on Islamic Power
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ also spoke about the certainty of the Khilafah’s establishment:
ثُمَّ تَكُونُ خِلَافَةٌ عَلَى مِنْهَاجِ النُّبُوَّةِ
“Then there will be a Khilafah upon the method of prophethood.” (HR. Ahmad no. 8089)
And in the well-known hadith:
لِتَأْتِيَنَّ أُمَّتِي عَلَى مَا جَاءَتْ عَلَيْهِ بَنُو إِسْرَائِيلَ حَذْوَ النَّعْلِ بِالنَّعْلِ حَتَّى إِنْ كَانَ مَنْهُمْ مَنْ أَتَى أُمَّهُ عَلَانِيَةً لَكَانَ فِي أُمَّتِي مَنْ يَصْنَعُ ذَلِكَ وَإِنَّ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ تَفَرَّقَتْ عَلَى ثِنْتَيْنِ وَسَبْعِينَ مِلَّةً وَتَفْتَرِقُ أُمَّتِي عَلَى ثَلَاثٍ وَسَبْعِينَ مِلَّةً كُلُّهُمْ فِي النَّارِ إِلَّا مِلَّةً وَاحِدَةً قِيلَ مَنْ هُمْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ مَا أَنَا عَلَيْهِ وَأَصْحَابِي
“My ummah will certainly follow the way of the Children of Israel step by step… The Children of Israel split into seventy-two sects, and my ummah will split into seventy-three sects. All of them are in the Fire except one sect. The companions asked: ‘Who are they, O Messenger of Allah?’ He replied: ‘What I and my companions are upon.’” (HR. Tirmidhi no. 2641)
This hadith affirms that there will be a period when the ummah returns to the Prophetic manhaj — and that can only be realized through the establishment of the Khilafah.
4. Istilamul Hukmi in the Sirah: Bay’at Aqabah as the Transition Moment
Dear readers, let us return to the time of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. How did he attain power? Not by coup. Not by bloody revolution. But through a series of methodical and patient da’wah processes.
After 13 years of da’wah in Makkah — through the stages of Tatsqif (education) and Tafa’ul (interaction) — the Messenger of Allah ﷺ entered a new phase: seeking support from Arab tribes. This phase is called Thalabun Nushrah (طلب النصرة).
The Process of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ’s Thalabun Nushrah
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ visited Arab tribes during the Hajj season, calling them to Islam and seeking protection:
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قُولُوا لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ تُفْلِحُوا وَتَمْلِكُوا بِهَا الْعَرَبَ وَتَدِينُ لَكُمْ بِهَا الْعَجَمُ
“O people, say Laa Ilaaha Illallah and you will succeed and you will rule the Arabs and the non-Arabs will submit to you.” (HR. Ibn Abi Shaybah in Al-Musannaf)
The following table describes the process of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ’s Thalabun Nushrah:
| No. | Tribe | Response | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bani Amir bin Sha’sha’ah | Refused | ”If we give bay’ah and Allah grants you victory, will this matter be ours?” Messenger of Allah: “The matter belongs to Allah, He gives it to whom He wills” |
| 2 | Bani Kalb | Refused | This tribe had relations with Bani Umayyah |
| 3 | Bani Hanifah | Refused | They refused harshly |
| 4 | Bani Kindah | Refused | Did not provide support |
| 5 | Bani Shaiban | Almost accepted | Suggested joining but with conditions |
| 6 | Ansar (Madinah) | Accepted | Bay’at Aqabah I & II |
Note that of the many tribes visited, only the Ansar from Madinah accepted. This shows that attaining power is not an instant process — it requires patience, firmness, and strategic intelligence.
Bay’at Aqabah I (621 CE)
Six people from Khazraj (Madinah) came to Makkah and gave bay’ah to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. They promised:
سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا
“We hear and we obey.”
They gave bay’ah not to associate anything with Allah, not to steal, not to commit adultery, not to kill children, and not to disobey the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in matters of good. This is known as the First Bay’at Aqabah or the Bay’ah of Women.
Bay’at Aqabah II (622 CE)
One year later, 73 people from Madinah (70 men and 3 women) returned. This time they came with a firmer intention: to give bay’ah to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ as their leader and to invite him to migrate to Madinah.
جَاءَ مِنْكُمْ نَفَرٌ فَصَدَّقُونِي وَآوَوْنِي وَنَصَرُونِي
“There came from you a group who believed me, sheltered me, and supported me.” (Sirah Ibn Hisham)
Abbas bin Abdul Muttalib — the uncle of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ — spoke to the Ansar:
إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تَرَوْنَ أَنَّكُمْ وَافُونَ لَهُ فِيمَا دَعَوْتُمُوهُ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ مَنَعِهِ مِمَّا مَنَعْتُمْ مِنْهُ أَنْفُسَكُمْ وَأَهْلِيكُمْ وَبَنِيكُمْ فَخُذُوا عَلَى ذَلِكَ
“If you feel capable of fulfilling what you have invited him to — namely protecting him as you protect yourselves, your families, and your children — then take this bay’ah.” (Sirah Ibn Hisham)
They answered firmly:
نَحْنُ أَهْلُ الْحَرْبِ وَأَهْلُ الْحَلَقَةِ وَرَثْنَاهَا كَابِرًا عَنْ كَابِرٍ
“We are people of war and weapons, we inherit this from father to father.”
This is Istilamul Hukmi in practice. Not a coup. Not a revolution. But transfer of power through bay’ah from those with power to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
After Bay’at Aqabah II, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ commanded the Muslims to migrate to Madinah. And when he arrived in Madinah, the first Islamic state was established.
5. How to Attain Power in Islam: Not Coup, But Bay’ah
Dear readers, this is the point often misunderstood by many. Hizbut Tahrir rejects coups as a method of attaining power. We also reject elections as the path to the Khilafah. So how?
The answer lies in Thalabun Nushrah — seeking support from ahlul quwwah (those with power) until they give nushrah (help) to the bearers of da’wah.
What Is Thalabun Nushrah?
طَلَبُ النُّصْرَةِ: هُوَ سُؤَالُ الدَّعْمِ وَالْحِمَايَةِ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْقُوَّةِ وَالسُّلْطَانِ لِإِقَامَةِ الدِّينِ
“Thalabun Nushrah is asking for support and protection from those of strength and authority to establish the religion.”
| Aspect | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Actor | Hizbut Tahrir (bearers of da’wah) |
| Target | Ahlul Quwwah (those with power) |
| Purpose | Attaining power to implement Islam |
| Method | Approach, dialogue, explanation |
| Condition | Target must be capable of giving protection |
Who Are Ahlul Quwwah (Those with Power)?
Ahlul Quwwah are people or groups who have real power that can protect and support the establishment of the Khilafah. In the modern era, they include:
| Category | Example | Potential |
|---|---|---|
| Military | Officers, generals, commanders | Protecting the da’wah process |
| Political | Parliament members, party figures | Providing political legitimacy |
| Economic | Big businesspeople, conglomerates | Funding transition needs |
| Social-Religious | Influential scholars, community leaders | Providing moral support |
| Media | Media owners, senior journalists | Shaping public opinion |
Important: Thalabun Nushrah does not mean compromising Islamic thought to attract support. Islamic principles cannot be negotiated. What is offered is the understanding that Islam is the solution to the problems they face.
Difference Between Istilamul Hukmi and Coup
This is a critical point that must be clearly understood:
| Aspect | Coup | Istilamul Hukmi |
|---|---|---|
| Legitimacy | Power of weapons | Bay’ah of the ummah |
| Method | Seizing by force | Receiving with support |
| Role of the Ummah | None | Central and determinative |
| Violence | Always present | Eliminated |
| Conformity with Sirah | Contradictory | In accordance with the Prophet’s ﷺ method |
| Result | New weak regime | Firm Khilafah |
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ never conducted a coup in Makkah. He never commanded the companions to seize power by weapons. He chose the more difficult but firmer method: building the ummah’s awareness, seeking support, until eventually the ummah itself asked him to become their leader.
Stages of Thalabun Nushrah in Practice
| Stage | Activity | Target |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Identification | Mapping who are ahlul quwwah | Accurate target list |
| 2. Approach | Contacting personally | Understanding their position |
| 3. Conveying | Delivering Islamic thought | Building awareness |
| 4. Negotiation | Explaining the benefits of support | Gaining commitment |
| 5. Nushrah | They provide help | Power is attained |
| 6. Bay’ah | The ummah gives bay’ah to the Khalifah | Khilafah is established |
6. The Role of Islamic State Authority: Caring for the Ummah with Shariah
Dear readers, after power is attained, what does the Islamic state do? Does it just sit in the seat of government and enjoy power? Of course not.
The Islamic state — the Khilafah — has a great task that must be carried out. This is called Ri’ayatush Shu’un (رعاية الشؤون) — caring for all the affairs of the ummah.
أَلَا كُلُّكُمْ رَاعٍ وَكُلُّكُمْ مَسْئُولٌ عَنْ رَعِيَّتِهِ الْإِمَامُ رَاعٍ وَهُوَ مَسْئُولٌ عَنْ رَعِيَّتِهِ
“Beware! Every one of you is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock. The Imam is a shepherd and is responsible for his subjects.” (HR. Bukhari no. 2554 and Muslim no. 1829)
Main Tasks of the Khilafah State
| Field | Task | Shariah Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Governance | Implementing Shariah comprehensively | QS. An-Nisa’: 59 |
| Judiciary | Establishing justice through qadhi | QS. An-Nisa’: 65 |
| Security | Protecting people from threats | QS. Al-Hajj: 39-41 |
| Economy | Managing baitul mal, zakat, fai’, ghanimah | QS. Al-Anfal: 41 |
| Education | Islamic education for all people | Hadith: “Seeking knowledge is obligatory” |
| Health | Health services for the people | Hadith: “Whoever wakes up not caring for the affairs of the ummah…” |
| Foreign Relations | Diplomacy and jihad | QS. Al-Anfal: 60 |
| Information | Spreading the truth of Islam | QS. Al-Baqarah: 159 |
Responsibility of the Khalifah
The Khalifah in Islam is not a king who rules arbitrarily. He is a servant of the ummah who is directly accountable to Allah and can be corrected by the people.
| Aspect | Islamic Khalifah | Secular President |
|---|---|---|
| Source of law | Qur’an & Sunnah | Man-made constitution |
| Accountability | To Allah & the ummah | To voters & party |
| Term of office | As long as capable and just | Fixed period |
| Correction | From Mahkamatul Mazhalim & the ummah | From opposition & parliament |
| Purpose | Implementing Allah’s law | Fulfilling campaign promises |
| Justice | For all without discrimination | Often biased |
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said about the obligation of the Khalifah:
مَنْ مَاتَ وَلَيْسَ فِي عُنُقِهِ بَيْعَةٌ مَاتَ مِيتَةً جَاهِلِيَّةً
“Whoever dies without a bay’ah upon his neck, dies a death of Jahiliyyah.” (HR. Muslim no. 1851)
This hadith shows how urgent the existence of an Imam (Khalifah) is in Islam. Not merely “it would be better” if there is one, but obligatory.
7. Difference Between HT’s Method and Other Groups: Not Violence, Not Coup
Dear readers, allow me to emphasize once more: Hizbut Tahrir does not conduct coups, does not conduct violent revolutions, and does not conduct armed actions. This is not an empty claim — this is a fundamental methodological difference.
Let us compare HT’s method with various existing movements:
| Movement/Party | Method | Target | In Accordance with Sirah? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hizbut Tahrir | Intellectual da’wah + Thalabun Nushrah | Establishment of Khilafah | ✅ Yes |
| Jihadi Groups | Armed violence | Overthrowing rulers | ❌ No |
| Islamist Parties | Elections & parliament | Seats of power | ❌ No |
| Social Organizations | Social action & charity | Social welfare | ⚠️ Partial |
| Reformist Movements | Demonstrations & pressure | System change | ⚠️ Partial |
Why Does HT Reject Violence?
First, because the method of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in Makkah never used violence. He faced torture, boycott, and expulsion — yet never retaliated with weapons before receiving Allah’s permission in Madinah.
ادْعُ إِلَى سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِالْحِكْمَةِ وَالْمَوْعِظَةِ الْحَسَنَةِ وَجَادِلْهُمْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ
“Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best.” (QS. An-Nahl [16]: 125)
Second, because violence produces greater damage than improvement. Coups destroy order, cause loss of life, and create prolonged instability.
Third, because coups do not produce legitimacy. Regimes born from coups are always fragile because they do not have real support from the ummah.
Why Does HT Reject Elections?
Hizbut Tahrir also rejects elections as a method of attaining power. The reasons:
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Human legislation | Elections produce a parliament that makes man-made law, not Allah’s law |
| Sovereignty with the people | In democracy, sovereignty is with the people. In Islam, sovereignty is with Shariah |
| Compromise of thought | Islamist parties must compromise with secularists to gain votes |
| Legitimizing a kafir system | Participating in elections = acknowledging the legitimacy of the democratic system |
| Never succeeded | No Islamist party has ever succeeded in establishing the Khilafah through elections |
Visual Comparison of Methods
Analogy 1: Building a House
Imagine you want to build a house on land already occupied by someone else. There are three ways:
Coup = You come with a sledgehammer, destroy the old house, and force the owner out. Result: the old owner holds a grudge, the new house is fragile, the neighborhood is unsafe.
Elections = You ask everyone in the neighborhood for permission to build, but everyone has the right to veto. Result: the house is never built because of endless debate.
Thalabun Nushrah = You build the awareness of residents that this new house is better for everyone. You convince those with power in the neighborhood. Until eventually they themselves come and say: “Build this house, we will protect you.” Result: a firm house, happy residents, peaceful neighborhood.
That is the difference in methods. And the third method — Thalabun Nushrah — is the method of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
8. Two Analogies: Why Power Is the Peak That Must Exist
Dear readers, allow me to convey two analogies that hopefully can clarify why Istilamul Hukmi is a stage that cannot be left behind.
Analogy 2: Ship and Port
Imagine a large ship ready to sail. Its captain is trained. Its crew is experienced. Its cargo is complete. The engine is started. Everything is ready — except for one thing: a destination port willing to receive it.
A ship without a destination port will only circle in the middle of the sea. Or worse, sink because it has nowhere to dock.
Da’wah without power is exactly like a ship without a port. You may have brilliant thought, extraordinary bearers of da’wah, perfect programs — but without a state as a “port” to land all these ideas, everything will only circle in the ocean without direction.
Istilamul Hukmi is the moment when that port opens its door and says: “Enter. We are ready to receive you.” And when that ship finally docks, the entire cargo of Islam can be unloaded and utilized by the entire ummah.
Without a port, a ship is useless. Without power, da’wah is incomplete.
Note also the comparison between the three stages of da’wah in one complete framework:
| Stage | Function | House Analogy | Ship Analogy | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tatsqif | Building bearers of da’wah | Drawing blueprint | Training the captain | Ready bearers of da’wah |
| Tafa’ul | Spreading thought | Preparing materials | Determining the route | Aware ummah |
| Istilamul Hukmi | Attaining power | Obtaining land | Reaching the port | Khilafah established |
These three stages cannot be separated and cannot be skipped. You cannot go directly to Stage 3 without passing through Stage 1 and 2. You cannot jump to Stage 2 before Stage 1 is complete. This is a sequential and methodological manhaj, as exemplified by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
The following table shows a deeper comparison of the three stages:
| Aspect | Tatsqif | Tafa’ul | Istilamul Hukmi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Internal (halaqah) | Public (society) | Political (power) |
| Target | Youth (Bearers of Da’wah) | Awareness of the ummah | Support of ahlul quwwah |
| Duration | Years | Years | Critical moment |
| Method | Halaqah, mentoring | Discussion, writing, media | Thalabun Nushrah |
| Output | Islamic Syakhshiyyah | Al-Wa’yu al-‘Amm | Bay’ah & Khilafah |
| Sirah | Darul Arqam (Makkah) | Open da’wah (Makkah) | Bay’at Aqabah (Madinah) |
9. Challenges and Hope: Patience in the Storm, Allah’s Promise on the Horizon
Dear readers, let us speak honestly. The journey toward Istilamul Hukmi is not an easy journey. It is full of challenges, trials, and heavy obstacles. But behind all that, there is Allah’s promise that will certainly happen.
Challenges Faced
| Challenge | Form | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Rejection by rulers | Da’wah banned, activists arrested | Patience, continue da’wah, pray |
| Negative campaigns | Media distorts HT’s thought | Clarification, prove with character |
| Division of the ummah | Ummah fragmented by sects | Unite with Islamic thought |
| Foreign intervention | West supports secular regimes | Vigilance, expose their agenda |
| Activist fatigue | Burnout, despair | Remember Allah’s promise, rest, re-energize |
| Competition from movements | Other movements claim different methods | Focus on the method of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ |
Story of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ’s Patience
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ faced rejection far heavier than what we experience now. In Ta’if, he was stoned until blood flowed from both his feet. The angel of the mountain offered to crush Ta’if. But he replied:
اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِ قَوْمِي فَإِنَّهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
“O Allah, guide my people for they do not know.” (HR. Bukhari no. 3231 and Muslim no. 1795)
He did not get angry. He did not retaliate. He did not despair. He continued da’wah until Allah finally gave victory.
Hope: Allah’s Promise That Is Certain
Allah says:
كُتِبَ اللَّهُ لَأَغْلِبَنَّ أَنَا وَرُسُلِي إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَوِيٌّ عَزِيزٌ
“Allah has written: ‘I will surely prevail, I and My messengers.’ Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in Might.” (QS. Al-Mujadilah [58]: 21)
Note the word كَتَبَ (kataba) — “has written.” This is not “may possibly happen.” This is a decree that is already certain from Allah. The victory of Islam is not a possibility. Not a hope. Not a dream. It is a promise already written in the Preserved Tablet.
هُوَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُ بِالْهُدَى وَدِينِ الْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُ عَلَى الدِّينِ كُلِّهِ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْمُشْرِكُونَ
“It is He who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to manifest it over all religion, although those who associate others with Allah dislike it.” (QS. As-Saff [61]: 9)
Why Are We Optimistic?
| Reason | Evidence |
|---|---|
| Allah’s promise | QS. An-Nur: 55, QS. Al-Hajj: 39-41 |
| Precedent of the Sirah | The Messenger of Allah ﷺ succeeded in Madinah |
| Failure of the secular system | Democracy, capitalism, secularism have failed |
| Longing of the ummah | The ummah is beginning to realize it needs the Khilafah |
| Global crisis | The Western system is collapsing |
| Activists who keep moving | Da’wah never stops |
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ gave glad tidings:
لَتُقَاتِلُنَّ الْيَهُودَ فَلَتَقْتُلُنَّهُمْ حَتَّى يَقُولَ الْحَجَرُ يَا مُسْلِمُ هَذَا يَهُودِيٌّ خَلْفِي فَاقْتُلْهُ
“You will fight the Jews and you will kill them until a stone says: ‘O Muslim, here is a Jew behind me, kill him!’” (HR. Bukhari no. 2926 and Muslim no. 2922)
This hadith is glad tidings of the victory of the Muslim ummah in the end times. And it cannot happen without the establishment of the Khilafah that leads jihad.
10. Conclusion: Power Is Not the Goal, But a Means Toward Allah’s Pleasure
Dear readers,
After we have traced all these stages — from definition, Shariah basis, sirah, method, the role of the state, differences with other groups, to challenges and hope — let us summarize with several key points:
First, Istilamul Hukmi is a mandatory stage in the journey of da’wah. Without power, Islam cannot be implemented perfectly. This is not an opinion — it is a fact that can be proven from every aspect of Shariah.
Second, the method of attaining power in Islam is Thalabun Nushrah — seeking support from ahlul quwwah until they give help. Not a coup. Not elections. Not violence. This is the method of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ that has proven successful in Madinah.
Third, Hizbut Tahrir rejects all methods other than the Prophet’s ﷺ method. We do not conduct coups. We do not conduct armed actions. We do not participate in elections. We walk on the same path taken by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ: intellectual da’wah, interaction with the ummah, and thalabun nushrah.
Fourth, the victory of Islam is not a possibility, but a certainty. Allah has promised it. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ has conveyed it. Only one question remains: are we among the generation Allah has chosen to witness it?
| Point | Essence |
|---|---|
| What | Istilamul Hukmi = attaining power to establish the Khilafah |
| Why | Shariah cannot be implemented perfectly without a state |
| How | Thalabun Nushrah — support of ahlul quwwah & bay’ah of the ummah |
| Not what | Not a coup, not elections, not violence |
| Basis | QS. An-Nur: 55, QS. Al-Hajj: 39-41, Prophetic Sirah |
| Guarantee | Allah’s promise that will certainly happen |
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ spoke about the final phase of this ummah:
ثُمَّ تَكُونُ خِلَافَةٌ عَلَى مِنْهَاجِ النُّبُوَّةِ ثُمَّ سَكَتَ
“Then there will be a Khilafah upon the method of prophethood.” Then he ﷺ was silent. (HR. Ahmad no. 8089)
The silence of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ after uttering these words was as if saying: “This is the peak. This is what is awaited. This is what you must strive for.”
Dear readers, this struggle is long. It requires extraordinary patience. But remember the words of Allah:
فَاصْبِرْ إِنَّ الْعَاقِبَةَ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ
“So be patient. Indeed, the [best] outcome is for the righteous.” (QS. Hud [11]: 49)
Continue the Journey: