哈里发是代表乌玛行使统治权与权威、并执行伊斯兰教法（真主的律例）的人。伊斯兰已规定统治权与权威属于乌玛。是乌玛任命一人代其管理，真主（SWT）也使乌玛有义务执行一切沙里亚的律例。

The Khaleefah is the man who represents the Ummah in the ruling and authority and in the implementation of the Ahkam Shari’ah (Divine Laws). Islam has decreed that the ruling and authority belong to the Ummah. It is she who appoints someone who runs that on her behalf, and Allah (swt) has made it obligatory upon the Ummah to execute all of the rules of Shar’a.

由于穆斯林任命哈里发,这使他在统治和权威方面,以及在执行伊斯兰教法(Shar'a)的规定方面,成为乌玛的代表。因此,除非乌玛向他效忠宣誓(Bay'ah),否则他不能成为哈里发。乌玛通过向他宣誓效忠于哈里发职位,实际上就任命他为其代表。通过这一效忠宣誓,哈里发职位便授予他,他因此通过乌玛拥有权威(Sultan),乌玛有义务服从他。

Since the Muslims appoint the Khaleefah, this makes him a representative of the Ummah in terms of ruling and authority and as well in the implementation of the rules of Shar’a. Therefore, He does not become a Khaleefah unless the Ummah gives him the pledge of allegiance (Bay’ah). By giving her Bay’ah to him over Khilafah she effectively appointed him as her representative. Through this Bay’ah the Khilafah is concluded to him, He therefore possesses the authority (Sultan) through the Ummah and they are obliged to obey him.

统治穆斯林的人,除非得到乌玛中有影响力的人物(Ahlul Hall Wal Aqd,即解开与缔结者)出于自愿和真实意愿的效忠宣誓,即Bay'ah,否则不能成为哈里发。他应当具备缔结哈里发职位所需的一切条件,此后便着手执行伊斯兰教法的律例。至于他的称号,可以是哈里发、伊玛目或信士的长官。这些称号见于可靠的圣训,也为圣门弟子的公议(Ijmaa')所认可。正统哈里发(前四位哈里发)都曾使用这些称号。阿布·赛义德·胡德里传述:安拉的使者ﷺ说:

The man who rules the Muslims does not become Khaleefah unless the pledge of allegiance, i.e. the Bay’ah was given to him by the influential people (Ahlul Hall Wal Aqd) from amongst the Ummah , with choice and content. He should fulfil all the conditions required for concluding the Khilafah to him, and thereafter proceed to implement the Ahkam Shari’ah With regards to his title, it could be the Khaleefah, or the Imam or the Ameer of the believers. These titles have been narrated in sound Ahadith and in the Ijmaa’ of the Sahaba. The Khulafaa’ Ar-Rashidoon (first four Khulafaa’) have held such titles. Abu Said Al-Khudri reported that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said:

“如果为两位哈里发宣誓效忠，那就杀掉后一位。”[穆斯林收录]阿卜杜拉·伊本·阿慕尔·伊本·阿斯报道：他听见安拉的使者ﷺ说：

“If the Bay’ah has been taken for two Khulafaa’ kill the latter of them.” [Narrated by Muslim] ‘Abdullah ibn al-‘A‘as reported that He heard the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) say:

“谁向一位伊玛目宣誓效忠，以手相授、以心相许，就应当服从他，只要他能……”[穆斯林辑录] 奥夫·本·马立克传述：我听到安拉的使者（愿主福安之）说：“你们最好的伊玛目，是你们爱他们、他们也爱你们，你们为他们祈祷、他们为你们祈祷的人……”[穆斯林辑录] 至于“艾米尔·穆地尼”这一称号，最早被这样称呼的是欧麦尔·本·赫塔卜。此后，这一称号一直沿用于随其后的人，即圣门弟子时代及其后的人。遵从这三个称号并非义务，而是允许为执掌穆斯林事务的人使用其他称号。但任何其他称号都须表达相同的含义，例如“信士的统治者”“穆斯林的领袖”“穆斯林的苏丹”，或任何与此含义不相抵触的其他称号。至于那些带有特定含义、与伊斯兰统治相关的律法相抵触的称号，例如国王、共和国总统或皇帝，则禁止执掌穆斯林事务者使用，因为它们与伊斯兰律法的含义相矛盾。

“Whoever pledged allegiance to an Imam giving him the clasp of his hand and the fruit of his heart shall obey him as long as He can...” [Narrated by Muslim] Auf Ibnu Malik reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) say: “The best of your Imams are those whom you love and they love you and who pray for you and you pray for them...” [Narrated by Muslim] As for the title “Ameer ul-Mu’mineen”, the first to be called that was ‘Umar ibnul Khattab. Then it continued to be on the title given to those who followed him, at the time of the Sahabah and those who followed them. It is not obligatory to adhere to these three titles, rather it is allowed to give whoever takes charge of the Muslims’ affairs other titles. Any other title has, however, to indicate the same meaning such as ‘the ruler of the believers’ or ‘the head of the Muslims’ or ‘the Sultan of the Muslims’ or any other title that does not contradict with there meaning. As for titles which carry a specific meaning and which contradict the Islamic laws connected with ruling, such as the title of king or president of the republic or emperor, these are forbidden to be used by whoever takes charge of the affairs of the Muslims because they contradict the meaning of the laws of Islam.