Concerning the Khilafah after the
demise of Rasulullah SAW.
 |
| Saidina Abu Bakr - The 1st Khalifah of Islam. |
The Sahabah RA Unanimously Accept Sayyidina Abu Bakr RA as Khalifah
The Demise of Rasulullah
SAW and the Sermon of Saidina Abu Bakr RA, Urwa bin Zubayr RA says
that (after hearing about the demise of Rasulullah SAW) Sayyidina Abu
Bakr RA came on his animal from the south district of Madinah. He
then dismounted at the door of the Masjid. He was filled with
heartache and grief as he sought permission to enter the room of his
daughter Saidina A'isha RA. When she gave permission, he entered the
room where Rasulullah SAW had passed away on the bed.
Sitting
around Rasulullah SAW were his wives who veiled their faces and
concealed themselves from Sayyidina Abu Bakr RA. Of course, there was
no need for Saiyyidina A'isha RA to do so. Sayyidina Abu Bakr RA
opened the face of Rasulullah SAW and then knelt on his knees to
kiss Rasulullah SAW. He wept as he said, "What the son of
Khattaab says is not true (3). I swear by the Being Who controls my
life that Rasulullah SAW has certainly passed away. May Allah's
mercy be showered on you, 0 Rasulullah SAW! You are so pure in life
and in death!"
Sayyidina Abu Bakr RA then covered the
face of Rasulullah SAW and hastened to the Masjid, skipping over the
shoulders of people sitting there until he reached the pulpit. When
he saw Sayyidina Abu Bakr RA approach, even Sayyidina Umar RA sat down.
Standing at the side of the pulpit, Sayyidina Abu Bakr RA called the people and they all
sat down and kept silent. He recited the Shahadah as he knew it and
said, "Allah SWT had given the news of the demise of His Nabi ~
when he was still alive amongst you. He has also given you the news
of your own deaths. Death is a reality and there will come a time when none but Allah SWT will be
alive. Allah SWT has declared:
Muhammad ~ is but a
Rasul (of Allaah). Indeed many Rasul have passed before him ...he
passes away or is martyred, would you (Muslims) then turn back on
your heels (and forsake Islam)? He who turns back on his heels can
never harm Allah SWT in the least (because he will be harming only
himself). Allah SWT shall soon reward the grateful ones (so be firm
and strive for His Deen).'" (1)
Saidina Umar RA
exclaimed, "Is this verse in the Qur'aan? By Allah, to this day,
I .had never known that it was ever revealed (1 had completely
forgotten about it)!" Saidina Abu Bakr RA continued, "Allah
SWT has also mentioned the following about Muhammad SAW:-
'Indeed, you (0
Rasulullah SAW) shall certainly die,
and they shall all die as welL'
(2) 'Allah SWT has also mentioned:
Allah SWT also says:
'Everything shall
perish but His countenance. All decisions
rest with Him and to Him
shall you all be returned (after death).' (3)
Allah SWT also says:;:
'Everything on earth
shall perish (on the Day of Qiyaamah if not
sooner). (When this
happens,) Only the countenance of your Rabb the
Possessor of majesty
and benevolence shall remain (forever, without
ever perishing).'(4)
Allah SWT says in another verse::
'Every soul shall taste
death and it is only on the Day of Qiyaamah that
you will be given your
rewards in full (although partial rewards are
received in this world
and in the grave}.'"(5)
\
Sayyidina Abu Bakr RA
continued; "Allah SWT had given a lifetime to Rasulullah SAW and
kept him alive until he established the Deen of Allah, made the
commands of Allah SWT explicit, passed on the message of Allah SWT
and exerted himself in the path of Allah. In this condition, Allah
SWT then took him away after he had left you on a path. Now whoever
dies will die after being exposed to the clear proofs (of Iman) and
the great cure (to kufr, which is the Qur'aan).
Therefore, whoever took
Allah SWT as his Rabb should know that Allah SWT is Alive and shall
never die. On the other hand, whoever worshiped Muhammad SAW and took
him as a god should know that their god is no more. Fear Allah SWT, 0
people! Hold fast to your Deen and rely on your Rabb because the Deen
of Allah SWT has been established and the word of Allah SWT is
complete. Allah SWT will assist whoever assists the Deen of Allah
and it is Allah SWT Who will strengthen His Deen. Indeed, the Book of
Allah SWT that is amongst you is a light and a source of healing. It
is through this Book that Allah SWT had guided Muhammad SAW and it
contains the details of the things that Allah SWT has made Halal
and what He has made Haram.
By Allah! We have no
concern for any of Allah's creation that wishes to attack us because
the swords of Allah are drawn and we shall never put them down. We
shall continue fighting those who oppose us just as we did with
Rasulullaah SAW. Whoever now seeks to oppress shall be oppressing
only himself."
The Muhaajireen then left together with Sayyidina Abu Bakr RA to (tend to the burial of) Rasulullah SAW. (I)
(I) Bukhari, Abu ubayd in Kitaabuf
Amwaal and Isfahaani in Hujjah, as quoted in Muntakhab (Vot5
Pg.50).
(2) Askari. as quoted in Kanzul
Ummaal (Vol.! Pg.96)..
(3) Hadhrat Umar bin Khattaab ~ had
been telling people that Rasulullaah _had not passed
away but his soul had merely been
transported away to the heavens and would soon return.
(1)Surah Aai Imraan, verse 144.
(2)Surah Zumar, verse 30.
(3)surah Qasas, verse 88.
(4)Surah Rahmaan, verses 26,27.
(5)Surah Aai Imran, verse 185.
(1) Bayhaqi,as quoted in Ai BMaaya
wan Nihaaya (Vo1.5 Pg.243).
