RASHIDUN CALIPHATE

 

Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (s) expired in the year 632 CE and the selection of a leader for the Muslim community was in immense demand over time. As Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (s) was the last Nabi (Messenger of Allah), it was not treated as a religious position at that time, not considered currently, and not will happen in the future. Caliph is nothing but a position to lead the Muslim community. However, he must be accepted by the Muslim community. After the death of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (s), his best companion Abu Bakr (r) was elected caliph unanimously. He could play the role only for two years. In 634 CE, he embraced normal death and was followed by Hazrat Umar Faruk (r), who was considered to be a hard protester of injustice, the prophet also prayed to kind Allah for such a person.

 

After the death of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (s), the Arab states were beset with political turmoil, and the Bedouin society started to return to Paganism. Many fake Nabi emerged in various places. The newly converted Muslims (who couldn’t attain full knowledge about Islam) started embarrassed. The entire Arab peninsula was gripped with turmoil and unsteady. Besides, many people started not to provide Zakat (a gift given to the destitute and helpless poor). Hazrat Abu Bakr (r) had to deal with the issue with stern action. He got involved with a war, titled Battle of Riddah. He eventually succeeded in controlling the situation with the mercy of kind Allah. The Arabian peninsula again turned out to be a place of peace. The brief rule of Hazrat Abu Bakr (r) was ended in this manner. However, he also focused on some other important issues within such a short period of time. On 18^th March, 633 CE, The 12^th year of Hijrah (Migration of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (s) from Mecca to Medina) was fulfilled and before that, by the mercy of Allah, Hazrat Khalid ibn Walid, known as Sword of Allah or Saifullah and other Muslim heroes played a heroic role to establish peace in the territory. Just after controlling the rebellion, he observed to capture new land and observed for Iraq.

 

Bagdad, ruled by the Sassanid rulers was a rich and prosperous province at that time. He sent a Muslim army led by Khalid ibn Walid. Alongside, he also sent 4 separate armies to conquer Syria under the Roman Empire. But, achievement was not achieved as expected. In 634 CE, Khalid Bin Walid, the great hero of Islam conquered Iraq and moved to Syria and gain achievement as expected. Forth army general of the Battle of Mutah broke 8 swords in the same war and returned by achieving victory by utilizing 9^th sword. Under the guidance of the great army general Khalid ibn Walid, one after another victory was achieved, and the story of his heroic role was revealed all over the area. In 634 CE, Hazrat Abu Bakr (r) expired leaving the world and Hazrat Umar received the responsibility of caliphate, whose title was Faruk. After receiving their caliphate, the victory of Islam was accelerated much more by conquering many areas.

 

He started an expedition to Egypt alongside an expedition to Sassanid Iran and the Byzantine Empire. Sassanids and Byzantines became exhausted by fighting with enemies in this area for a longer period of time. Therefore, the Muslims were able to conquer all those areas within a shorter span of time. Within 640 CE, the Muslims conquered the entire Mesopotamia, Syria, and Palestine. Within the year 643 CE, they captured Iraq, Persia, and Sassanid states including Iran. As such he conquered a vast area for the Muslims during his regime.

 

He succeeded in introducing the Islamic calendar which ascertained 622 CE, as 1^st Hijri (Islamic norms of calculating events through the position of the moon in the sky). He also set up an administrative office (known as Dewan) for running the state. He brought the military force under the control of the state and arranged to provide remuneration and other allowances to be provided by the state. Without interfering in the liberty of religion and livelihood pattern of people of conquered areas, he deployed one ruler or emir and Finance Officer (known as Aamil) for them on behalf of an Islamic state.

 

He arranged a pension system for Sahaba (Followers of the Prophet Muhammad (s) who contributed much more to the preaching of Islam) so that they could lead normal lives and provide great lessons of Islam to the people of conquered areas. One of the remarkable events that happened during the regime of Hazrat Umar (r) was to exempt Army General Khalid ibn Walid from discharging responsibilities and deploy Abu Ubaida in his place. It happened in the middle of 637 CE. In this regard, the argument of Hazrat Umar (r) was that due to the consecutive success of Khalid, there might have been a belief among people that Muslims had been winning battles due to him (Khalid) only. With the view to dispel such wrong perception among people, Hazrat Umar (r) dismissed Khalid from the position of army general. Hazrat Umar (r) discharged state-related responsibilities up to 638 CE and subsequently, he expired in 642 CE, leaving worldly love and moving to Almighty Allah.

 

Before accepting Islam, his notable war against the Muslims was the Battle of Uhud which took place in 625 CE. After accepting Islam, in the hard situation of the Battle of Mutah, while all three army commanders declared by Prophet Muhammad (s) were killed, he took responsibility as the 4^th army commander and succeeded accordingly. Victory in that battle provided the Muslims with actual power in the Arab peninsula. Kafirs (Non-Muslim) of Mecca became so afraid by observing the power of the Muslims, that eased Prophet Muhammad (s) to conquer Mecca, his motherland. Subsequently, he also took part in the Battle of Hunain. It has been mentioned earlier that, he played a vital role in the Battle of Riddah. Subsequently, after conquering Iraq, he proceeded to win over Syria. He conquered a vast area to bring under the flag of the Muslims by fighting enemies in numerous battles over two and half years during the caliphate of Hazrat Umar (r). He was desirous to become Shahid (martyr), however as his desire didn’t come true, he repented always. However, while he was informed that he was Saifullah or the Sword of Allah and never it could never be broken ever, and for that, it would not be possible for him to become a Shahid (martyr), his soul was condoled a bit. After his death in 642 CE, he was buried in Homes under Syria.

 

After the death of Hazrat Umar (r) in 644 CE, Zunnurain famous Hazrat Uthman Ibn Affan (s). He was a member of the influential and affluent Banu Umaya clan. During his time, the Byzantines strived to re-occupy the forts previously captured by the Muslims, but he resisted the attempt. According to his instruction, Hazrat Muawiya (r), emir of Syria, conducted a mission in Anatolia and succeeded in extending the boundary of the Islamic state up to the hill Toras of Turkey. During his regime, due to frequent expeditions led by Hazrat Muawiya (r), the Byzantine emperor Constance the Second was compelled to execute a contract with Hazrat Muawiya (r). On the other hand, the Muslim Naval force acquired much more strength and skill. At the end of the Caliphate, he decided to attack Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. However, as civil work sparked in the neighboring areas, his attempt was foiled eventually. After a long wait, the Muslims succeeded in conquering the most coveted Constantinople under the leadership of Ottoman sultan Muhammad Second and the unique & heroic performance of his brave warrior Hassan Ulubatalia in 1453 CE. Currently, this is known as Istanbul to the people. As Hazrat Usman (r) embraced a pathetic death in 656 CE, The responsibility of the caliphate was shouldered by Hazrat Ali (r) (Titled Sher-e-Khoda, cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad (s), who firstly received the invitation of Islam. Though initially, he was reluctant to receive responsibility, however, due to situational need and pressure of all quarters, he eventually took responsibility. Political unrest due to the death of Hazrat Uthman (r), was known as the first fitna (unrest) in Islamic history, and due to the same unrest, the overall situation was quite unnatural. Even then, the killers of Hazrat Uthman (r) were roaming in the streets of Medina.

 

In the wake of such a situation, one portion led by Hazrat Talha (r) and Hazrat Zobayer (r) pressed him to bring the killers of Hazrat Uthman (r) to trial. Mother of the Muslims (Ammazan) Hazrat Ayesha (r) also supported them. Eventually, due to the intricacy of the conspirators, the Muslims got involved in a fratricidal conflict. In the war titled Battle of Camel, thousands of Muslims lost their lives, some Sahabas (Followers of Prophet Muhammad (s) who contributed much more to the preaching of Islam) were also among them. Hazrat Ali (r) won the battle. Ammazan Hazrat Ayesha (r) repented sensing her mistake. After the war, Hazrat Talha (r) and Hazrat Zobayer (r) lost their lives in two separate incidents that were most tragic. Both of them were fortunate among ten persons only (Asharaye Mobashwara) to receive the good news of attaining Heaven or Zannat declared by Prophet Muhammad (s). On the other hand, Hazrat Muawiya (r), the then governor of Syria, demanded the trial of the killers of Hazrat Uthman (r) and refused to take Bayat (religious lesson) of the caliphate from Hazrat Ali (r), until the trial took place. Hazrat Umar Ibnul Aas (r), the then-governor of Egypt, joined them. They refused to obey the instruction for resignation according to order under the reformation program undertaken by Hazrat Ali (r). This information heavily suffered Hazrat Ali (r). Consequently, war between two parties became essential. This war was known as the Battle of Siffin. While Hazrat Ali (r) was on the brink of winning, the fact was turned through the proposal of agreement. Hazrat Ali (r) desired peace all along. He consented to mitigate the issue through sharing and discussion and lastly, arbitration was arranged. Those who became displeased about the decision of arbitration later left the side of Hazrat Ali (r) and they were called Kharizite or Deserter.

 

According to the decision of arbitration, it was supposed that Hazrat Ali (r) and Hazrat Muawiya (r) would resign from their own positions. However, Hazrat Abu Musa Ashari declared their resignation on behalf of Hazrat Ali (r); but Hazrat Abu Musa Ashari (r) refrained from declaring on behalf of Hazrat Muawiya (r), he declared Hazrat Muawiya (r) as the Caliph. Consequently, the Muslims split into two groups. One group recognized Hazrat Ali (r) as the Caliph who established a capital at Kufa, while the other group demanded Hazrat Muawiya (r), ruler of Damascus.

 

As Hazrat Ali (r) breathed his last in 661 CE, his elder son Hazrat Imam Hassan (r) took the responsibility of the caliphate. Within six months of taking office by Hazrat Imam Hassan (r), Hazrat Muawiya (r) marched toward Kufa with a powerful army contingent. As Hazrat Imam Hassan (r) didn’t desire blood-shed and executed an agreement with Hazrat Muawiya (r). According to the agreement, Hazrat Muawiya (r) was selected as caliph.

 

 

It was supposed after the end of the caliphate of Hazrat Muawiya (r), he would be replaced by Hazrat Imam Hossain (r), younger brother of Hazrat Imam Hassan (r) and beloved son-in-law of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (s) and son of Sher-e-Khoda Hazrat Ali (r) and Hazrat Fatema (r), leader of the Zannat. However, after the death of Hazrat Muawiya (r) his son Yazid captured the throne and Hazrat Imam Hossain (r) refused to find Yazid as the caliph. As a contradiction against injustice and through divine call, he started moving towards Kufa. Both parties faced each other in the field of Karbala. By a tragic and heart-touching event, except for Zainul Abedin, all male members became Shaheed (martyr). Ancestors of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (s) survived by Zainul Abedin. Ancestors who are known as Fatimid conquered Egypt in 909 CE which was known as the caliphate. As Sultan Salahuddin Ayyubi conquered Egypt in 1171, the Fatimid regime declined and the Ayyubid regime was established in Egypt. The regime of Hazrat Ali (r) was so eventful and war–torn, he seldom could concentrate on the expansion of the empire.