Bismillâhir-Rahmanir-Rahîm

Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu And The Shi'ah (La'natullahi Alaihim)

Let us go back into the anals of history and study the personality and the life of a man who not only had a profound effect on the Sahâbah Radhiallahu anhum,but also upon the entire Muslim Ummah. In fact it would not be an exaggeration to state that he was an absolute phenomenon, a shining example for the entire mankind at large, and that was none other than Khalifatul Awwal Abûbakr Siddîq Radhiallahu anhu.

The effect which he had on the lives of the Sahâbah Radhiallahu anhum can be gauged from this statement of Abdullah bin Mas'ûd Radhiallahu anhu where he says:

["After the demise of Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam,we were plunged into such a dilemma that we would have been utterly destroyed had it not been for the fact that Allâh favoured us with the personality of Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu."]

The destruction which is being referred to goes back to the dramatic period after the demise of Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam, when the Sahâbah themselves were plunged into absolute turmoil and confusion. They could not bring themselves to accept the fact that Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam had passed away. A man of the calibre of 'Ûmar Radhiallahu anhu stood in the Masjid brandishing his sword and proclaiming, "Don't any of you dare utter that Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam has passed away, he has merely gone to meet his Sustainer and he shall return within a few days." The Sahâbah were absolutely perplexed and puzzeled and in this condition and dramatic state of the Sahâbah, it was Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu who came forward and put them on their feet and made them see sense of reason. When Nabî Sallallahu alaihi wasallam passed away, Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu was not present in Madinah. He had prayed the Fajr Salâh that morning in the Masjidun Nabawi and because the health of Nabî Sallallahu alaihi wasallam had improved a bit, after the Fajr Salâh, Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu went to the outskirts of Madinah where a wife of his, Habibah bint Kharijah Radhiallahu anha lived. He had just completed his Salatud Dhuha when the news reached him concerning the departure of Nabî Sallallahu alaihi wasallam from this world. He immediatly got onto his horse and rushed back to Madinah. He first entered the Masjidun Nabawi and seen the throngs of people seated there, all in absolute confusion and turmoil. He went straight to the house of Nabî Sallallahu alaihi wasallam which was also the house of his daughter A'ishah Radhiallahu anha. It was in this house that Nabî Sallallahu alaihi wasallam had passed away. He requested permission of entry which he was granted. He went in and found the body of Nabî Sallallahu alaihi wasallam lying on the bed and the other wives of Nabî Sallallahu alaihi wasallam were huddeled closely around the bedside. When they saw Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu, they naturally covered their faces with sheets because only A'ishah Radhiallahu anha was a Mahram [one with whom marriage is Islamically prohibited] of Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu. Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu went close to the body of Nabî Sallallahu alaihi wasallam, lifted the sheet, kissed the forehead of Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam and said:

["May my parents be sacrificed for you, your face was beautiful in your life as well as after your death. Allâh will not make you taste death twice. The one death which was destined for you, you have already tasted."]

Saying this he went back to the Masjid to cool the Sahâbah down. 'Ûmar Radhiallahu anhu was at that time still standing with his sword challenging the people to make the statement that Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam has passed away. Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu went to him and requested him to sit down. At first he refused but after a second and third request he sat down. Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu accended the mimbar and addressed the Sahâbah saying:

["Those amongst you who ever had the notion that he should worship Muhammad, he should know that Muhammad has passed away and as for he who worships Allâh, he should know that Allâh is all living- death will never overcome Him."]

Thereafter he recited verses from the Qur'ân to prove that Nabî Sallallahu alaihi wasallam was also destined to drink from the cup of death. He recited:

[Muhammad was also but a messenger, many messengers have gone by before him. If he (Muhammad Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) has to taste of death or if he is killed, will you then turn on your heels (and turn away from Islâm)?]

He recited the other verse of the Qur'ân:

["Every soul shall taste of death."]

["Everything on earth will perish, it is only the countanence and the being of Allâh that is to live forever and ever."]

After delivering a very eloquent sermon did the stark reality hit the Sahâbah Radhiallahu anhum that the fact of Nabî Sallallahu alaihi wasallam leaving them had to be accepted. At this stage all the Sahâbah began weeping uncontrolably in the Masjid.

So at this crucial time, it was Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu who put the Sahâbah onto their feet, made them see sense of reason and made them accept the stark reality that Nabî Sallallahu alaihi wasallam had left the world.

Abûbakr and the Forces of Bâtil

There was another period where Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu brought the Sahâbah, rallied them together and made them stand on their two feet to combat the forces of Bâtil.

When Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu took over the reins of power, a wave of apostasy had spread across the Arabian Peninsula. Some Arab tribes that had accepted Islâm in the later stage of the life of the prophet Sallallahu alaihi wasallam, their Imân was still weak, they felt that the Dîn of Islâm was confined to the lifetime of Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam, so after he had left the world they turned away from Islâm and went back to idol worshipping.

Imâm Nawawi Rahimahullah - the commentator of As Sahihul Muslim- qoutes Allâmah Kattabi Rahimahullah as saying that this was such a crucial and dramatic period that in the entire Arabian penensula only three Masajid were such wherein Allâh was being worshipped, Al Masjidun Nabawi, Al Masjidul Haram and Masjidu Abdil Qais in Bahrain, otherwise a lot of the ignorant Arab tribes had turned apostate.

There was another group of people who brought Imân upon the false prophethood of Musailamatul Kath-thâb in the vacinity of Yamamah and a group who brought Imân on the false prophethood of Aswadul Ansi in the country of Yemen.

Then there was a third group who refused to pay the Zakâh to the state. They felt that only Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam had the right to collect Zakâh. So Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu rallied the Sahâbah together and convinced them that these forces of Bâtil must be crushed. He said:

["I shall wage war against those people who draw a distinctive line between Salâh and Zakâh. (Just as Salâh is Fardh, so is Zakâh) because Zakâh is the right of wealth."]

So the army was rallied together and these forces of Bâtil were crushed and thereafter again an enviroment and atmosphere of serenity prevailed over Arabia and people came to their senses.

This was all due to the efforts of Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu that he brought them to see sense of reason.

Abûbakr: Who was this Great Man?

Who was this great man? A man who did so much for the service of Dîn and brought all the Sahâbah Radhiallahu anhum together on one platform? This was Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu.

He was known by the name of Abûbakr but his original name was Abdullah which Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam kept for him.

When he was born, his father named him Abdul Ka'b but this was not an appropriate name so Nabî Sallallahu alaihi wasallam changed it to Abdullah.

His father's name was 'Ûthmân, better known as Abû Quhâfah.

There was a custom amongst the Arabs that they would call themselves after the names of their sons or daughters which is known as Kuniyah [sort of a title]. It is for this reason that Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu is known as Abûbakr (father of Bakr).

If we turn the pages of history we will find that Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu was a respected man of his tribe, Banu Taim which was a branch of the Quraish. He was so respected in community that if somebody had Amânah [trust] which had to be secured, they would leave it with him for safe keeping. If there was a despute in the community, they would approach him to resolve the despute. This is the amount of trust they had in him.

Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu and Nabî Sallallahu alaihi wasallam

The books of history record that Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu had friendship and a relationship with Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam since childhood. He was only three years younger than Nabî Sallallahu alaihi wasallam. They went on bussiness trips together as well before the advent of Nubuwwah.

Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu's father accepted Islâm at a very late stage after the conquest of Makkah at the approxamite age of 91.

His mother Ummul Khair Radhiallahu anha - whose actual name was Salmah - however accepted Islâm in its early stages.

Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu was the first mature male to enter the fold of Islâm.

When Nabî Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam was vested with prophethood, he (Abûbakr) had been away on a bussiness trip to Yemen. On his return he asked a few friends if anything new had transpired in his absence. They replied yes, the orphan that used to live in the house of Abdul Muttalib and Abû Tâlib has proclaimed prophethood. Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu immediately went to Nabî Sallallahu alaihi wasallam and inquired about this. Nabî Sallallahu alaihi wasallam presented the Da'wah of Islâm to him and without any hesitation Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu entered the fold of Islâm. This is the reason that he got the title of 'Siddîq'.

Siddîq: The Title of Abûbakr

Siddîq means one who accepts and belives without any reluctance and hesitation.

Nabî Sallallahu alaihi wasallam himself used to say afterwards that whoever I put the Da'wah of Islâm to, that person would first ponder and hesitate before coming into the fold of Islâm with the exception of Abûbakr that without the least bit of hesitation he came into the fold of Islâm.

Another reason for him being called Siddîq is that at the time of Me'raj (where Nabî Sallallahu alaihi wasallam was taken in the space of one night from Al Masjidul Haram in Makkah to Al Masjidul Aqsa in Baitul Muqaddas in Palestine and thereafter to the seven heavens) when Nabî Sallallahu alaihi wasallam was returning with Jibra'îl Alaihis Salam, Nabî Sallallahu alaihi wasallam asked him that who will believe me when I say that I have undertaken such a long journey in the space of one night?

Jibra'îl Alaihis Salam replied:

"Abûbakr will believe you without any hesitation."

He also had the title of Ateeq which means a free person. The reason for this was that Nabî Sallallahu alaihi wasallam once said to him:

"You have been freed from the fire of hell by Allâh".

In other words he was given glad tidings of Jannah whilst still in this world.

Abûbakr's Love for the Prophet Sallallahu alaihi wasallam

When Islâm began to spread around Makkatul Mukarramah and people began entering the fold of Islâm slowly and surely, we find that at one stage when the Muslims numbered approxamately 39, Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu said to Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam that what are we afraid of, let us go out to the Masjidul Haram, to the Ka'batullah and declare our Islâm, let us show the people that we have entered into a true Dîn, let us openly proclaim this faith. At first Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam calmed him down saying that it is too soon to do this, let us wait till our numbers increase. But Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu insisted time and again and finally Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam also agreed.

They went to the Ka'batullah and formed a gathering where they began discussing and speaking about Islâm.

When the Kuffâr saw this they could not tolarate it. They came immediatly and began beating the Muslimîn up. One man went forward to beat Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam but Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu came in front to protect him with the result that Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu took all the blows on his face and it is said that his face was smashed virtually to a pulp and he fell down unconscious, people left him for dead.

So critical was his condition that his family members had to come and carry him home.

When he regained a bit of consciousness, the first question on the lips was: "How is Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam?" The people told him: "Look at your own state first!" They offered him some food and water but he took an oath: "By Allâh, I shall not drink a sip of water or eat a morsel of food until I see Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam well and healthy." That is when the people had to carry him to the house of Nabî Sallallahu alaihi wasallam and showed him that Nabî Sallallahu alaihi wasallam is alive and healthy and that is when he began eating and drinking. This was the love that he had for Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam.

Many years later when Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu's son Abdurrahman bin Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhuma accepted Islâm, Abdurrahman was sitting with his father and talking about the past. Abdurrahman said to his father: "O father! In the battle field of Badr when I was still a kaffîr and I came with the Kuffâr forces, I had you within my sight, if I wanted I could have brought you down with an arrow but thinking that you are my father I left you alone." Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu replied: "O my son! If you had come within my sight on that battlefield, I would not have left you, I would have killed you because you came to the battle field to oppose Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam."

Such was his love for Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam that he loved him more than his own children, parents and the entire world and whatever it contained.

Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu was fortunate enough that he gained the constant companionship of Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam. A'ishah Radhiallahu anha used to say after she got married to Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam that not a day would go by wherein her father (Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu) would not come to visit Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam.

All his lifelong ambitions were fulfilled.

"He spent all his wealth for Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam, he gave his daughter in the marriage of Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam and he had the good fortune of seeing the beloved face of Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam."

This was the attachment he had with Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam. Such a great Sahabi he was!

Nabî Sallallahu alaihi wasallam himself used to say:

"No person's wealth benefitted me to such a great extent as to what the wealth of Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu benefitted me."

He spent all his wealth in the path of Allâh for the course of Dînul-Islâm and yet, in spite of this great rank and piety, he was still fearful of Allâh, fearful of the Âkhîrah and fearful of death.

Abûbakr's Fear for Allâh

On many occasions he used to say: "How I wish I was a tree that would be cut down, chopped and put away, how I wish I was a blade of grass that would be eaten up by some animal."

Looking at the birds he used to say: "How fortunate you are that you eat and you drink, you fly under the shade of trees, you have no fear of the Day of Reckoning. How I wish I was a bird. So much of fear he had in spite of his lofty rank."

Due to his companionship with Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam, the Sahâbah were aware and they knew fully well that after the demise of Rasulullah Sallallahu wasallam the person deserving of the post of Khilâfah was non other then Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu. He was destined to be the first Khalîfah of Islâm.

Abûbakr in the Qur'ân

This is not only proven by the testimony of the Sahâbah but many âyat and verses of the Qur'ân are indicative of this fact that Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam would leave behind as Khalîfah Abûbakr Siddîq Radhiallahu anhu.

If we study the Qur'ân we will see that amongst the Sahâbah Radhiallahu anhum the greatest number of âyat that were revealed were concerning Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu, though his name is not mentioned explicitly in the Qur'ân. For instance, the verse of the Qur'ân:

["None of you can be superior to that person who has spent all his wealth and fought in the path of Allâh before the coquest (of Makkah, to those who did so later). Such people are higher in degree than those who spent and fought afterwards".]

Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu was amongst those who spent all his wealth practically before the conquest of Makkah and the other wealth that he got, he spent even after the conquest of Makkah. This was the status of Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu.

Who can forget the incident of the battle of Tabuk when Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam made an appeal for funds to purchase weaponary and horses etc. 'Ûmar Radhiallahu anhu brought half of his household possessions and put it before Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam. Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam asked him:

["Have you left anything behind for your family?"]

He replied:

["I left behind half of my possessions and brought half for the course of Allâh and His Rasul."]

Then Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu came forward bringing every single item of his house. Nabî Sallallahu alaihi wasallam asked him:

["Have you left anything behind for your family?"]

He said:

["I have left behind Allâh and His Rasul."]

It was at that time that 'Ûmar Radhiallahu anhu had to concede that I can never outdo the deeds of Abûbakr  Radhiallahu anhu.

Another verse of the Holy Qur'ân concerning Abûbakr states:

["As for he who gives and spends for the path of Allâh and imbues himself with the quality of piety, sincerely does good deeds, for such a person we shall smooth the way to eternal bliss and happiness."]

Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu also had the habit that when he used to see slaves being oppressed by the Kuffâr, he would purchase them and set them free. It was he who purchased Bilâl Radhiallahu anhu and set him free. When he did this the Kuffâr passed some sycastic remarks that probably Bilal did him a favour so in recompansation he is freeing him. Concerning this too an âyah of the Qur'ân was revealed:

["It is not due to repayment of a favour (that he has freed this slave), he has done it solely to please Allâh and none other".]

Another verse of the Holy Qur'ân states:

["My lord! Inspire me and bestow upon me the power and ability that I may be grateful for your favours which you have bestowed upon me..."]

Abdullah bin Abbâs Radhiallahu anhu says that this verse of the Qur'ân was also revealed regarding Abûbakr. Ibn Abbâs Radhiallahu anhu has given a lengthy incident concerning this âyah that when Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu was approxamately 18 years old and Nabî Sallallahu alaihi wasallam 21, they went on a bussiness trip to Syria. On the way they stopped at a place to rest. Nabî Sallallahu alaihi wasallam went under the shade of a tree and rested there. Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu saw a Christian priest nearby so he went to talk to him. The priest looked at Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam resting under the shade of the tree and asked: "Who is this young man?" Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu replied: "He is Muhammad bin Abdullah bin Abdul Muttalib." The priest said: "I take the oath of Allâh that he is surely the final prophet."

The reason he mentioned this was: "Îsa Alaihis Salam also rested beneath this very tree and I know from my scriptures that no other person will have the right to rest under this tree except the final prophet."

Due to this Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu became even more attached to Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam. It is for this reason that he used to make the Du'â:

["O Allâh! grant me the strength to thank you for this great bounty (of companionship with Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam which you have bestowed upon me)."]

Also the famous âyah was revealed regarding Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu when he undertook the journey of Hijrah with Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam.

They hid in the cave of Thaur for about three days and the Kuffâr spread out in the countryside and into the mountain tops in search of Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam and Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu. They came right to the mouth of the cave so much so that Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu could see their feet and said that if they have to look below to their feet, they will definitly see us. Nabî Sallallahu alaihi wasallam consoled him saying:

["What is your thought about such two companions the protector of whom is Allâh?"]

It was concerning this that the verse was revealed the translation of which is:

"One of the two companions, whilst in the cave said to the other that do not grief, surely Allâh is Our Protector."

So many âyat were revealed concerning Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu. If this is not a sure indication that he was deserving of the Khilâfah then what more proof do we want? But if we look further, we will find more proof.

The Prophet's Indication towards the Khîlafah of Abûbakr

Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam himself verbally on many occassions indicated that Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu would be the Khalîfah after him. On one occassion he said to his wife A'ishah Radhiallahu anha:

]"Call Abûbakr here, I wish to dictate something because I fear that after I leave this world, some people will hold a desire for rank and position (and they will wish to take over the Khilâfah) whereas Allâh and the Mu'minîn will not desire anyone else besides Abûbakr."]

Nabî Sallallahu alaihi wasallam also said that if you Sahâbah appoint Abûbakr as your Amîr, you will find him to be honest, trustworthy and reliable. Here too was a clear indication. On another occassion Nabî Sallallahu alaihi wasallam said:

["Had I been permitted to make anyone such a friend whom I could attach my heart to, I would have made Abûbakr such a friend."]

The word "Khalîl" is derived from the Arabic root word "Kullah" which means to have attachment to someone to such an extent that ones thoughts are at all times focused towards that being, and obviously this position was reserved in the heart of Nabî Sallallahu alaihi wasallam for Allâh only. He used to constantly remember Allâh. If Allâh had granted him permission, this position would also have been occupied by Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu. Such was his attachmaent to Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu.

Further we find that practically too Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam virtually appointed Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu as his Khalîfah. When Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam fell very ill towards the end of his life and he did not even have the strength to walk to the Masjid to perform the Salâh, at that time Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam said to the Sahâbah:

["Give the command to Abûbakr that he should lead the Salâh."]

So it is obvious that the person appointed on the Musalla of the Imam (who was Nabî Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) would be deserving of the post of Khilâfah.

Even Alî Radhiallahu anhu once conceded: "After the demise of Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam I looked around and pondered that who could be our Khalîfah? Then I realized that the person whom Nabî Sallallahu alaihi wasallam had appointed on his Musallâ is the only one worthy of running our affirs of the Dunya, being our Amîr and Khalîfah."

This was an obvious indication that Abûbakr Siddîq Radhiallahu anhu was deserving of the post of Khilâfah.

Abûbakr Appointment as Khalîfah

After the demise of Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam the missonary of the Munafiqîn [hypocrites] also came into motion. The Munafiqîn in Madinah went to the Ansâr [Those Sahâbah who were the original residents of Madinah] and said that your Rasul has passed away so one of you should become the Khalîfah because you assisted Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam greatly. The amount of assistance you had given gives you the right to take over the post of Khilâfah. These Munafiqîn actually put one Ansari Sahabi, Sa'd bin Ubadah Radhiallahu anhu, up to become the Khalîfah and they began to convince the Ansâr to take Bay'ah (pledge an oath of allegiance) to him.

This news reached Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu so he went himself to this place called Thaqifah banu Sa'idah, taking with him 'Ûmar and Abû Ubaidah bin Jarrah Radhiallahu anhuma.

When Sa'd bin Ubadah Radhiallahu anhu saw Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu, he addressed him saying that we have heard a rumour that you Muhajirîn (Those Sahâbah who migrated from Makkah to Madinah) are planning to take over the Khilâfah and cut us out totally from this issue.

Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu put his mind at ease then qouted a Hadîth of Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam:

["The Imâm (The Khalîfah and Amîrul Mu'minîn) can only be from the tribe of Quraish."]

Because the Ansâr are not from the Quraish they cannot take the post of Khilâfah. The Ansâr immediatly accepted. This shows how much of confidence they had in the words of Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu that once he said that these are the words of Nabî Sallallahu alaihi wasallam, they immediatly accepted. They would not say that this is a fabricated Hadîth as some unfortunate sects and groups like the Shi'ah say, that many things were fabricated by Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu.

This is not the case. The Ansâr accepted immediatly and said: "We accept the fact that the Khalîfah should be from the Quraish, but why don't we have two Khulafâ, one from the Muhajirîn and the other from the Ansâr?

Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu said: "This also cannot be the case because one Amîr could make one decision and the other an opposite decision so who do the citizens follow? This will lead to obvious confusion."

Even in a Hadîth Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam has said something to this effect:

["If people pledge allegiance to two Khulafa then the second one should be executed."]

A second person has no right to become the Khalîfah in the presence of the first Khalîfah. Thereafter Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu said to the Ansâr that I've brought two Sahâbah with me, 'Ûmar and Abû Ubaidah, (both from the tribe of the Quraish) so take Bay'ah on either of these two peoples hands. This was the humility of Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu that inspite of the fact that Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam gave so many indications to his Khilâfah, he did not wish to take the post of Khilâfah, he had no greed for rank and power.

'Ûmar Radhiallahu anhu says: "I thought to myself that how can I become the Khalîfah in the presence of a person whom Nabî Sallallahu alaihi wasallam appointed on the Musallâ?"

He immediatly sprang up, took the hand of Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu and he was the first person to take Bay'ah on the hand of Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu and accepting him as the Khalîfah. He was followed by Abû Ubaidah Radhiallahu anhu and thereafter the rest of the Ansari Sahâbah took the Bay'ah.

The next day 'Ûmar Radhiallahu anhu brought Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu to the Masjid, made him sit on the Mimbar and said to him that sit here so that the general masses can also take the pledge of allegiance on your hands.

It was on that day that all the people present there accepted Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu as the first Khalîfah of Islâm.

The Bay'ah of Alî

In some traditions it is mentioned that Alî Radhiallahu anhu did not take Bay'ah on the hands of Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu until six months had expired. This Riwayah is mentioned in Sahîhul Bukhari. But those who say that he took Bay'ah after six months have actually misunderstood this Hadîth. This Hadîth refers to the fact that after six months he renewed the Bay'ah. He did take Bay'ah from the very begining.

Hence there is a Riwayah in Mustadrak Hakim (which is also an authentic book of Hadîth) which mentions that the second day when Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu came to the Masjid and the people began taking Bay'ah, he looked around to see where is Alî Radhiallahu anhu. He found that he was absent. He inquired from somebody and that person went to call Alî Radhiallahu anhu from the house. Alî Radhiallahu anhu came, appologised and became Bay'ah to Abuabkr Radhiallahu anhu on that very same day.

Therefore he did not delay for six months. What actually transpired is that after a few days Fâtimah Radhiallahu anha (The wife of Alî Radhiallahu anhu and the daughter of Nabî Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) came to Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu claiming her inheritance from her father. Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam owned some properties in and around Madinah in which she came to claim her right. At that time Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu explained to her that Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam has said:

["We (The Ambiya Alaihimus Salam) do not leave our goods behind to be distributed as inheritance.Whatever the Ambiya leave behind goes to the Baitul Mal [Royal treasury] as Sadaqah and charity."]

Nabî Sallallahu alaihi wasallam also said in another Hadîth:

"The Ambiya Alaihimus Salam do not leave behind Dananîr or Darahim [cash and wordly possessions] as their inheritance infact they leave behind pearls of Knowledge as inheritance. Whatever wealth they leave behind is Sadaqah (charity)."

Fâtimah Radhiallahu anha accepted this but due to human nature, she was a bit upset and obviously when she went to tell this to her husband, Alî Radhiallahu anhu, he was also partially upset. Six months after Fâtimah Radhiallahu anha passed away, Alî Radhiallahu anhu came to Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu and appologised for that nature which he expressed of being offended etc. and he renewed the Bay'ah. This does not mean that he did not become Bay'ah, he had taken the Bay'ah at the very outset but he came to renew that Bay'ah.

Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu and the Demise of Fâtimah Radhiallahu anha

Some RiwAyât and Ahâdîth indicate that when Fâtimah Radhiallahu anha passed away, Alî Radhiallahu anhu very secretly prepared for the Kafn. The Ghusl etc. was given and with a few people he preformed the Janazah Salâh and she was buried without Abûbakr and 'Ûmar Radhiallahu anhuma being informed. The Ulama mention that this Riwayah and its kind are rumours and fabrications which were spread. The actual fact is mentioned in a Hadîth of Kanzul Ummal wherein it is stated that Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu had so much of respect for the family of Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam that after the demise of Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam he used to constantly inquire about their welfare. He used to be there practically everyday to inquire concerning the daughter and the son in law of Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam and when Fâtimah Radhiallahu anha passed away, Alî Radhiallahu anhu did not even have to inform them. They were the first people to come to the funeral, infact in Kanzul Ummal, it is stated that Alî Radhiallahu anhu requested Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu to perform the Janazah Salâh which he did. These are the beliefs of the Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama'ah.

The Shi'ite Beliefs

On the other hand the Shi'ah say that Alî Radhiallahu anhu was destined to be the first Khalîfah of Islâm and that Abûbakr, 'Ûmar and 'Ûthmân Radhiallahu anhum actually hatched a plot to usurp the Khilâfh from Alî Radhiallahu anhu. In other words they are being branded as theives who have stolen the Khilâfah. The book of the Shi'ah, Usûlul Kâfi (which is regarded to be very authentic in their circles, is considered equivalent to the authenticity of Saheehul Bukhari according to us) records that Abûbakr, 'Ûmar, 'Ûthmân and all the other Sahâbah became Murtad [turned away from the fold of Islâm] and they brand them as theives, Jahannami [inhabitants of hell] and Murtad [renegades].

These are the titles used for these great lofty Sahâbah Radhiallahu anhum and this is recorded in their most authentic book.

Khomeini has written a book called Al Hukûmatul Islamiyah [Islamic Government] and because this book gained fame during the Iranian Revolution, Khomeini has very diplomatically avoided branding Abûbakr and 'Ûmar Radhiallahu anhuma as liars and theives. In fact in the entire book he has not even made mention of them, whereas common logic says that a book on Islamic government will not be complete without relating the government of Abûbakr and 'Ûmar Radhiallahu anhuma.

We find a Hindu such as Mahatma Ghandi in the year 1938 when the Indian congress was granted atonomy over about seven provinces, he wrote to the governors of those provinces saying that run your government according to the principles of Abûbakr and 'Ûmar.

A Hindu is saying this to Hindus yet a so-called Muslim does not have the courage to even make mention of the name of Abûbakr and 'Ûmar Radhiallahu anhuma in his book.

Some Shi'î Fabrications

It is mentioned in their book Usûlul Kâfi it is mentioned, (which is a pure fabrication, pure drivel and lies) that when Nabî Sallallahu alaihi wasallam was returning from Hajjatul wadâ' he stopped at a place called Ghadîrul Khum. He asked tha Sahâbah to prepare a Mimbar, he accended the Mimbar and he raised Alî Radhiallahu anhu with his two hands and said to the Sahâbah: "This is my appointed Khalîfah after me, his Khilâfah should be accepted." He then called Abûbakr and 'Ûmar Radhiallahu anhuma and ordered them also to accept him as the Khalîfah and confess his Khilâfah there and then.This is obviously pure fabrications, lies and drivel and nothing of this sort is mentioned in our books of Hadîth.

One of their Ulama has written in his book called Hamlâ-e-Haidari that before Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam declared prophethood, a soothsayer and fortuneteller went to Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu and said to him: "A Nabî will appear in this country of Arabia, he will proclaim prophethood and you should outwardly accept Islâm and attach yourself to him and he will give you power and authority and he will make you the Khalîfah." By this he is trying to indicate that Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu did not accept Islâm sincerely, he accepted so that he could get the Khilâfah.

In one of their books it is mentioned that when Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu stepped onto the Mimbar on the second day so that the people could become Bay'ah, the very first person that came forward was an old man and that was Shaytan, the devil incarnate. They have no shame to mention things like these about such lofty people.

Nevertheless, in the book Al Hukûmatul Islamiyah, Khoemaini did not have the courage to even make mention of the name of Abûbakr and 'Ûmar Radhiallahu anhuma which was obviously due to sinister purposes and that was that he wanted to export the Iranian revolution to the other countries so he could not condemn them because then people would loose confidence. But our Ulama got hold of an earlier book of his by the name of Kashful Asrâr.

In this book, on page 115, he has clearly mentioned that Abûbakr and 'Ûmar Radhiallahu anhuma went against the commands of the Qur'ân. Can we imagine such great Sahâbah going against the Qur'ân?

In this book, he has employed the fundamental principle of the Shi'ah called 'Tabarrâ', which means to condemn the Sahâbah and use filthy terms against them.

The Shi'ah and the Qur'ân

Khomeini has also praised Nûri Tabrasi (whom they call Allamah in this book). Tabrasi is one of their scholars. He has written a book called Al Faslul Khitâb. In this book he has written that this Qur'ân which we have before us is not the actual and original Qur'ân. He says that the original Qur'ân contains 17 000 verses and this Qur'ân which we have consists of only 6 666 verses which means that we have only a third of the Qur'ân. Where have the other two-thirds gone to? He writes that Alî Radhiallahu anhu had the original Qur'ân in its complete form which he later handed down to his son Hasan Radhiallahu anhu, Hasan handed it to his brother Husain Radhiallahu anhu and so on until it reached the eleventh Imam by the name of Hasan Askari and Hasan Askari had a son who at the age of 5 or 6 disappeared from the face of earth and he is known as Al Imam Al Gha'ib (The Imam who has disappeared) whom they believe will return before the day of Qiyamah.

So it is their belief that this Imam took away the entire Qur'ân in a cave called Surra man Ra'â and even the Qur'ân which we have with us, according to them, was changed and altered by Abûbakr and 'Ûmar Radhiallahu anhuma to suit their whims and fancies. A question may arise here that if Alî Radhiallahu anhu was the first Khalîfah then why didn't Allâh mention it in the Qur'ân?

In reply to this Khomeini writes in Kashful Asrâr that had Allâh mentioned the name of Alî Radhiallahu anhu in the Qur'ân proclaiming him to be the Khalîfatul Awwal then people of the likes of Abûbakr and 'Ûmar would have removed those Ayât from the Qur'ân, they would have changed, contorted and twisted those Ayât therefore it was no sense mentioning such Ayât.

Such are the accusations against the Sahâbah. They also claim that the other two thirds of the Qur'ân actually contain a Surah by the name of Suratul Wilâyah wherein the Khilâfah of Alî Radhiallahu anhu has been proclaimed but where is that Surah? Where is that so-called cave which they talk about? Not to be found anywhere in the world. These are fabrications of the Shi'ah in order to plunge the Ummah into confusion.

The Sahâbah and the Shi'ah

They have also written in their books that after the demise of Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam, leaving aside Alî Radhiallahu anhu and his household members, every other Sahabi became Murtad and apostate with the exception of three Sahâbah viz; Miqdâd bin Aswad, Abuthar Ghifâri and Salmân Farsi Radhiallahu anhum and some mention a forth person, Ammâr bin Yâsir Radhiallahu anhu. By this they are actually laying an accusation on Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam that all the work which he put in in 23 years of prophethood went to waste. Does that mean that the efforts of 23 years was not sufficient to keep so many people in Islâm that only three or a handful of people remained in Islâm?

Nevertheless we as Muslims believe in the truth and Haq that Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu was the Khalîfatul Awwal.

Abdullah bin Sabâ

The irony of all this is that today the Iranian government regards the Israeli state as its foremost enemy and they are its foremost opponents. Ofcorse non of us regard Israel as legal, it is an illegal state and we are also its opponents but the irony of this is that the founding member of the Shi'ah sect was actually a Jew by the name of Abdullah bin Sabâ. In the time of 'Ûthmân Radhiallahu anhu he hypocritically accepted Islâm. His sole purpose was to sow seeds of decention amongst the Muslim Ummah.

In one Hadîth Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam said to Alî Radhiallahu anhu: "Your similitude is like that of Îsa Alaihis Salam. Just as two types of people went astray regarding him, similarly two types of people will go astray with regard to you. With regard to Îsa Alaihis Salam one was the group of the christians which raised him to the state of God or the son of God. The other group was that of the Jews that hated him, troubled him and put him through endless persecution and problems." Similarly with regard to Alî Radhiallahu anhu, the one group was that which raised him so as to say to the status of God (the Shi'ah) and the other group was that which showed animosity towards him (the Khawarij) and finally it was a person from the Khawarij by the name of Abdurrahmân bin Muljim who assasinated Alî Radhiallahu anhu.

So this person, Abdullah bin Sabâ tried to confuse the Muslims. He first worked in Madinah but found the Muslims there to be very staunch on their religion so he went to Basrah, then to Syria and finally to Egypt. In Egypt there were some Bedouins who had come into the fold of Islâm and he found that these people were very gullible so he told them that when Islâm teaches us that Îsa Alaihis Salam will return to the world from the heavens before Qiyamah then Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam will also return to the world because he is superior to Îsa Alaihis Salam.

He first put this bait and they fell for it, so he took this same group of people and went to Madinah. By this time the Khilâfah of Alî Radhiallahu anhu was drawing close and 'Ûthmân Radhiallahu anhu was finally martyred, and in this too was the hand of Abdullah bin Sabâ.

When Alî Radhiallahu anhu took the reins of power he joined the army of Alî Radhiallahu anhu and worked in the army. He convinced some people to believe that Alî Radhiallahu anhu was actually Allâh Himself whilst he convinced others to believe that Alî Radhiallahu anhu was meant to be the final prophet but Jibra'îl Alaihis Salam erred in bringing the Qur'ân to the prophet Sallallahu alaihi wasallam, he ought to have taken it to Alî Radhiallahu anhu. He also convinced a third group of people that Alî Radhiallahu anhu was meant to be the first Khalîfah and not Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu. In this way many groups of the Shi'ah were formed. The Ulama mention that approxamately 70 different sects were formed but today practically all of them are non-existent besides the Ithnâ Ashariyah sect which is that sect that believes that Alî Radhiallahu anhu was meant to be the first Khalîfah and Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu usurped this post from him. These are the people who also believe in the 12 A'immah, the twelfth one being the one previously mentioned that will supposedly appear before Qiyamah with the entire Qur'ân.

Their twelve A'immah are:

Of course these people whom they believe to be the A'immah were virtuous and pious people from the household of Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam (with the exception of the twelfth one obviously because there exists no one of that sort on the surface of the earth), but they did not hold that Godly status or the status of prophethood as is the Shi'a believe.

They believe that the Ambiyâ Alaihimus Salam can commit mistakes and be forgetful whilst these A'immah do not even commit mistakes, they are infallible.

They also believe that Wahy [revealation] is received by these A'immah just as the Ambiyâ Alaihimus Salam received Wahy.

They go to this extent in belief that when the twelfth Imam will appear, even Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam will be made to raise from his grave and take Bay'ah at the hand of that Imam.

They further say that A'ishah Radhiallahu anha will be removed from her grave (by this Imam) and she will be flogged with a whip (because in their belief she had commited adultery in her lifetime).

Another duty which this Imam wiil carry out is that he will remove Abûbakr Radhiallahu anhu from his grave and put him on the gallows over and over till the day of Qiyamah because he is responsible for all the turmoil and confusion in this Ummah, may Allâh forbid. Nevertheless, these are some of the beliefs of the Shi'ah.

May Allâh protect our Imân from such beliefs of Kufr and may He grant us devine guidance to correct our beliefs. May He also assist us in appreciating all the efforts which were contributed to the course of Islâm by the Khulafâ and Sahâbah Radhiallahu anhum. May Allâh reward them greatly in the Âkhirah. Âmîn.