Two questions from weekend one

[Mariam 3:36]

As-salaamu 'alaykum wa rahmat Allah--

There are a couple of issues about which I walked away from class confused. I have posted these in another folder, but since this folder is now open I thought I might have a better opportunity to get answers if I re-post. Please forgive me for the double post.

1) Regarding a tangible jama'ah, most of the examples mentioned were from the earliest generations of Islam, so my question is: what would be the most contemporary version of a tangible jamaa'ah? (sub-questions follow)

Can your local mesjid be a tangible jama'ah? (I imagine they don't have the requisite "power, control and strength," but Allahu a'alem).

Are political leaders in majority Muslim countries the unifying leader of a jama'ah? (If yes, then if a person is living in a majority Muslim country and is with a political opposition party--say in an election-- would such person be considered a Baghi (transgresssor) or Muharib (rebel)?).

2) Based on what was said in class, I walked away with the understanding that (from a religious perspective) the terms "Imam" and "Khalifah" can be used interchangeably/mean the same thing. I have no confusion looking at the time of the khulafa ar-raashidoon because I believe the Khalifah was also the Imam (i.e. made both political and religious decisions). However, during the times of the four Imams of the most well known madh-thaahib (i.e. the times of Ash-Shaafi'i, Malik, Ahmad ibn Hanbal, and Abu Haneefeh may Allah have mercy on all of them and be pleased with them all) there was a political leader who was separate from the religious leader--i.e. a Khalifah (in the political sense) and a separate Imam (in the religious sense)--and this is when I become confused. My guess is that, even on this issue, we take the understanding and example of the earliest generations as being correct, but I just want to be sure. Therefore, my question is: should we understand the concept of Imamah as someone who is both a political and religious leader? Or can the Imamah also be established if political leadership resides in one person, while religious leadership resides in another? (and if the latter is true, what kind of relationship is necessary between the two? I imagine there would be some requirements to avoid pure secularism)

Jazaakum Allahu khayran in advance.

[Abd- Allah]

Assalam Alaikum

As far as the terms "Imam" and "Khalifah", the term "Imam" is used in different contexts to have different meanings. In many of the ahadith, the term Imam is used to mean the khalifah or ruler. In other ahadith for example, the term Imam is used to refer to the one who is leading the prayer.

However, the term Imam has evolved over time to be used for scholars as well, such as the 4 Imams and many of the other scholars of Islam may Allah have mercy on them all.

So for example, even though we call Ahmad Bin Hanbal rahimahullah as "Imam", but he was just one of many other scholars and "Imams" during his time, but there was only one Imam in the sense of the ruler.

There should only be one "political leader", but as far as "religious leadership" then it is not limited to only one person or scholar, and it is not something which is defined so usually there are many scholars during a certain period of time who are the "religious leaders" if we want to call it as such.

But usually the Imaamah/khilafah refers to the political leader/ruler.