The Islamic Concept of Global Leadership: A Comparative Study of the Holy Quran, Prophetic Hadiths, and Modern Global Political Ideologies

Abstract

This research explores the concept of a world government from three interconnected perspectives: the Qur’anic vision of global unity, the Prophetic Hadith literature on political leadership and eschatological governance, and contemporary discourses on global governance in the modern era. The study aims to investigate whether Islam envisions or supports a form of unified global political order and how this concept aligns with or differs from modern secular ideas of world government.From the Qur’anic perspective, themes of universal justice, unity of humankind, and the oneness of the divine message (e.g., Qur'an 49:13, 21:107) provide a spiritual and ethical foundation for collective governance under moral law. The research then examines relevant Hadiths, including those pertaining to the Khilafah ‘ala minhaj al-nubuwwah (Caliphate on the Prophetic methodology), the arrival of Imam Mahdi, and eschatological unification under one righteous leader. These traditions hint at a future global leadership centered on justice, equity, and spiritual values.The study further engages with modern political theories of world government—such as those proposed by globalists, federalists, and institutions like the United Nations—comparing their foundational principles with Islamic teachings. Particular focus is given to issues of sovereignty, moral law, pluralism, and the role of religion in governance.The research concludes that while Islam envisions a form of ethical and spiritually rooted global leadership, it differs fundamentally from secular, technocratic notions of world government. Islam's model emphasizes divine guidance, prophetic ethics, and accountability to God, making it both universal and transcendental in vision.