The Theory of a Non-infallible Caliphate from the Perspective of Imam Khomeini and ʿAllamah Maududi

The goal of this article is to present the views of two contemporary thinkers, Imam Khomeinī (r) and Syed Abū al-Aʿlā Maudūdī, about government and leadership.
Among the Muslims, as well as in the view of these two scholars, it is generally accepted that the Prophet of Islam (s) was a leader and a ruler who was appointed by God. However, the difference of opinion came about regarding who could be the ruler, caliph and leader of the Muslim community after the Holy Prophet (s). Allamah Maudūdī and Imam Khomeinī have presented varying views on this matter. Maudūdī has propounded the notion of a non-infallible caliphate and in his commentary of verse 55 of Surah al-Nūr (He will surely make them successors in the earth) he claims that successorship is possible for all people, meaning that the caliphate could be non-infallible. Furthermore, he states that after the Prophet (s), the people are supposed to select their leader and caliph, who would be a fallible individual. However, Imam Khomeinī (r) opines that the foundation of leadership is imāmah and divine appointment.
Therefore, in order to study and critique the view of a non-infallible caliphate (i.e. government and leadership), in light of the Qurʾān and traditions, from the perspective of Maudūdī and Imam Khomeinī (r), it was deemed necessary to write an independent paper, which is the article before you.