Ali Abdel Raziq's 'Islam and the Foundations of Governance' is a landmark work in modern Islamic thought. Published in 1925, this highly controversial book ignited a fierce debate by arguing against the necessity of a caliphate in Islam and advocating for a separation of religion and state. Abdel Raziq, an Azhari scholar, drew upon historical and theological arguments to assert that the Prophet Muhammad's mission was primarily spiritual and moral, not political. This profound reinterpretation challenged established religious and political norms, paving the way for discussions on secularism and state reform in the Arab and Islamic worlds. The book remains a foundational text for understanding early 20th-century intellectual currents.