The second important point to be noted is that the true...

The second important point to be noted is that the true status of the three differs with regards to various issues, such as: External caliphate’ is the political office of Islam. The ‘unapparent caliphate’ is exclusively a spiritual office. The ‘external caliphate’ is an elective and consultative process. The ‘unapparent caliphate’ is an inherent and selective act. The ‘external’ caliph is elected by the people. The ‘unapparent’ caliph is selected by God.

The political caliph is elected.The spiritual caliph is selected. This is the reason that the first caliph Abū Bakr as-Siddīq (RA) was elected on the basis of ‘Umar Fārūq’s (RA) proposal and the consensus of the majority of the public. But the election of the first Imām of spiritual sovereignty*-* ‘Alī al-