False Caliphate

FALSE CALIPHATE - A Critical Analysis of Ḥizb ut-Taḥrīr’s Political and Creedal Views

False Caliphate: A Critical Analysis of Ḥizb ut-Taḥrīr’s Political and Creedal Views by Wasim A. Ismail is a deeply researched and timely examination of modern Islamist movements that seek to reestablish the Muslim Caliphate. Spanning 347 pages, this paperback digs into the ideology and doctrinal foundations of Ḥizb ut-Taḥrīr — a political group calling for a global caliphate — with rigor, clarity, and an uncompromising commitment to the Quran and Sunnah. The author draws upon his master’s thesis, incorporating extensive primary and secondary sources, direct references to Hizb ut-Taḥrīr’s own literature, and critiques of key beliefs that diverge from classical Islamic scholarship. 

Wasim Ismail confronts several contentious claims: the nature of Khilāfah, the role of Sharia and governance, and how Ḥizb ut-Taḥrīr interprets the caliphate in relation to its political agenda. He lays out their creed (ʿaqīdah) and contrasts it with the teachings of the Qur’an, the Sunnah, and the views of classical Sunni scholars, arguing that certain elements of their doctrine amount to a “false caliphate” — a model driven more by ideology than by sound Islamic governance.

The book also explores the broader phenomenon of Islamist political activism: groups like the Muslim Brotherhood, Jama’ah Islāmīyyah, and even extremist organizations such as ISIS and Al-Qaeda quote Khilāfah in their rhetoric, though their understanding and practice of it often contradicts orthodox Islamic scholarship. Ismail warns that many of these groups emphasize political power over spiritual sincerity, resulting in distortions of Islam’s theological foundations. 

But False Caliphate is not just a critique; it is a call to clarity and caution. The author invites the reader to examine the ideology of these movements through the lens of sound scholarship, so that they may distinguish between legitimate Islamic concepts and political innovations that undermine the very essence of Tawḥīd and governance. For students of ʿaqīdah, imams, dawah activists, and concerned Muslims, this book serves as a vital resource: one that empowers the reader to defend the faith with knowledge, avoid confusion, and understand the serious implications of modern political movements that claim Islamic legitimacy.

Many today are confused about the concept of the Khilāfah; many are calling for it, others are afraid of it, while some outright deny it.

A number of Muslim political activist groups have been established to bring back the Caliphate, such as: Al-Ikhwān al-Muslimūn (The Muslim Brotherhood), Ḥizb ut-Taḥrīr (The Liberation Party), Al-Jamā‘ah al-Islāmīyyah (Jamaat-e-Islami), Al-Qā‘edah, ISIS, and their type.s Although their methodologies differ, yet, they have many things in common.

This book is a conversion and expansion of my Master's thesis. I have gathered many resources and have reviewed a good amount of the literature on Ḥizb ut-Taḥrīr. You will find direct references to the books of Ḥizb ut-Taḥrīr in this critical analysis. The objective of this book is to explain the pillars of Ḥizb ut-Taḥrīr's ideology vis-à-vis the Noble Qur’ān and the authentic Sunnah, and the statements and explanations of classical Muslim scholarship.

Once you near the end of the book, you will be allowed to become oriented with the lens through which these movements and groups view the world. At that point, you will be able to decide for yourself if they are truly following the Noble Qur’ān and the authentic Sunnah.