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There are many corrupt people who claim to be Muslims but deny the Khilafat of Sayyiduna Siddiq-e-Akbar (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh). There is no doubt that the greatest personality after the Prophets is Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) and he rightfully held the position of Khilafat after Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) departed from this mundane world. It is important that we understand the belief of the Sahaabah-e-Kiraam with regard to this issue so that we hold the correct beliefs about this great personality.
Allah Ta’ala says in the Holy Qur’an, “Say (O Beloved) to the dwellers of the desert who stayed behind, “You will soon be called against a nation of great military strength, that you fight against them or they become Muslims; then if you obey, Allah will give you a good reward; and if you turn away, the way you had turned away before, He will punish you with a painful punishment.”” {Surah 48:16}
Sadrul Afaazil Hazrat Maulana Sayyid Naeemuddeen Muradabadi (Alaihir Rahmah) interpreted this verse to mean Sayyiduna Abu Bakr’s nation as they fought Musailmah Kazzaab’s people. This is also narrated in Tibraani. Hazrat Sayyiduna Ibn Abi Haatim and Ibn Qutaibah (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anhuma) state that this verse is evidence of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr’s (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) Khilafat as he was the one who fought against the apostates. Hazrat Shaikh Abul Hasan Ash’ari (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) also narrates that this verse proves the Khilafat of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) as he was the one who fought those people who refused to pay Zakaat and who denied its essentiality. The verse not only proves his Khilafat but it also emphasises the importance of revering him as the last portion of the verse warns of a severe torment for those who do not obey him.
In the Hadith Shareef it is stated that during the time of illness of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), Huzoor (Alaihis Salaam) commanded that the people perform Salaah behind Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh). At the time of this command, Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) was not present and therefore Hazrat Umar Farooq (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) advanced to lead the prayers but Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) objected by saying, “No! No! No! Allah and the Muslims are pleased with Abu Bakr alone and therefore he will lead the prayers.” {Taareekh-ul-Khulafa}
This was an indication of the successorship of Sayyiduna Siddiq-e-Akbar (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh).
After the departure of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) from this physical world, the question arose as to who would be appointed as his successor. Hazrat Sayyiduna Abu Sa’eed Khudri (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) narrates that the Companions (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anhum) gathered in the house of Hazrat Sayyiduna Sa’d Ibn Obadah (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh). Present in this gathering were Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq and Hazrat Umar Farooq (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anhuma) as well as many other prominent Companions.
One of the Ansaar (original residents of Madinatul Munawwarah) stood up and addressed the Muhaajiroon (the Companions who migrated to Madinatul Munawwarah), “O Muhaajiroon! You are aware that whenever Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) would appoint a person to carry out a duty, he would appoint an Ansaari with a Muhaajir. Therefore it is our desire that one person from the Ansaar be appointed as the Khalifah whilst another from the Muhaajiroon should accompany him.” Another Companion from the Ansaar arose and delivered a similar sermon.
Hazrat Zaid bin Thaabit (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) stood up and questioned them, “Do you know that Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was a Muhaajir? Thus his successor should also be a Muhaajir. Just as we were the assistants and supporters of the Best of Creation (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), we shall now support and assist the Khalifah of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).” After saying this, he grabbed the hand of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) and gave the pledge of allegiance (Bay’ah) to him. After Hazrat Zaid bin Thaabit, Hazrat Umar (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anhuma) pledged allegiance to Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh), and thereafter all of the Ansaar and Muhaajiroon did so.
Sayyiduna Siddiq-e-Akbar (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) then sat upon the pulpit and assessed the crowd. He noticed that Sayyiduna Zubair (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) was not present amongst the crowd and requested that he be invited. When Sayyiduna Zubair (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) arrived, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) said to him, “O Zubair! You are the son of Rasoolullah’s (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) paternal aunt and a close Companion of the Messenger and therefore I hope that you will not create division amongst the Muslims.” Sayyiduna Zubair (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) said, “O Khalifah of Allah’s Beloved, you need not worry,” and thereafter he stood up and pledged allegiance to Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh).
Sayyiduna Siddiq-e-Akbar (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) also noticed that Sayyiduna Maula Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) was not present in the gathering and requested that he be invited. When Sher-e-Khuda Hazrat Maula Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) attended the gathering, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) said, “O son of Abi Taalib! You are the cousin of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and it is my hope that you will join me in protecting Islam from weakness.” In the same manner as Sayyiduna Zubair (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh), Hazrat Maula Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) said, “O Khalifah of Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), you need not worry,” and he also gave his hand in allegiance to Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh). {Taareekh-ul-Khulafa}
Hazrat Maula Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) then said to Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh), “The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has preferred you and put you forward. Therefore who can obstruct you?” Sayyiduna Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) was referring to the time of Rasoolullah’s (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) ailment when he appointed Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) as the Imam of all the Companions. {Madaarij-un-Nubuwwah}
It is therefore clear from this that there was consensus among the Companions that Sayyiduna Siddiq-e-Akbar (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) is the Khalifah of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and no one had any objection to his selection. Even Hazrat Maula Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) alluded to the fact that Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) chose Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) as his successor.
The prophecy of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) that the believers and Allah Ta’ala would not accept anyone other than Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) as the Khalifah, was fulfilled. Therefore only wretched and deviant people will dare to deny the Khilafat of Sayyiduna Siddiq-e-Akbar (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh).
May Allah Ta’ala grant us the Taufeeq to sincerely love and respect Sayyiduna Siddiq-e-Akbar (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) and to stay away from those corrupt people who slander and insult him, Allahumma Ameen.
