The Human as Khalīfa in the Qur’an: A Critical Engagement with Contemporary Anthropocentric Developments

Abstract

The question “What is a human being?” has gained greater significance in our age than ever before. All religions and influential worldviews have interpreted the human being according to their own priorities and have sought to present their own conception as the ideal human type. In all of them, the human being stands out through will and action directed toward exercising authority and agency in almost every sphere. The Qur’an, in defining humanity, emphasizes this shared characteristic by stating that human beings were created as “vicars” on Earth. It is difficult to claim that sufficiently comprehensive studies addressing humanity from this perspective have been conducted in the Islamic world. In the literature, the concept of caliph appears to be primarily framed as a political term Establishing a sound relationship between religious teachings and the thought, science, and technology developed through human concern and performance is of utmost importance. Human-centered movements and studies, particularly transhumanism, which is not yet fully formed, can lead to serious spiritual problems and impasses. For these reasons, instead of completely opposing the paradigm brought by modernity in the name of religion, it is necessary to understand both sides correctly and well, to reach solutions that resolve the problems between them, and thus to ensure harmonious support. This study, which involves literature review and analytical processes, emphasizes the need for a thorough and careful re-examination of the Quranic teaching on "humanity as vicegerent." The article is written to demonstrate the possibilities and perspectives offered by Islamic thought regarding modern understandings of humanity and its future, and inevitable developments, based on what has been discussed. Attention is drawn to the ontological limits of humanity, its epistemological authority, its moral responsibility, and the dimensions of technological intervention, and it is thought that the evaluations made in this process will contribute to academic movements.