After Mohammeds Death Through Several of the Caliphs an Art Form Considered Dangerous Was

Introduction
The First Caliph, Abu Bakr (632-634 A.C.)
The Second Caliph, 'Umar (634-644 A.C.)
The 3rd Caliph, Uthman (644-656 A.C.)
The Quaternary Caliph, Ali (656-661 A.C.)
Decision

Introduction

Meaning of the Discussion 'Caliph'

The word 'Caliph' is the English form of the Standard arabic word 'Khalifa,' which is short for Khalifatu Rasulil-lah. The latter expression means Successor to the Messenger of God, the Holy Prophet Muhammad . The title 'Khalifatu Rasulil-lah'. was outset used for Abu Bakr, who was elected caput of the Muslim community subsequently the death of the Prophet.

The Significance of the Caliphate

The mission of Prophet Muhammad , like that of the earlier messengers of God, was to phone call people to the worship of and submission to the One True God. In practice, submission to God ways to obey His injunctions equally given in the Holy Qur'an and as exemplified by Sunnah (the practise of the Prophet). As successor to the Prophet, the Caliph was the head of the Muslim community and his main responsibility was to go on in the path of the Prophet. Since faith was perfected and the door of Divine revelation was closed at the death of the Prophet, the Caliph was to make all laws in accord with the Qur'an and the Sunnah. He was a ruler over Muslims just non their sovereign since sovereignty belongs to God lonely. He was to be obeyed as long every bit he obeyed God. He was responsible for creating and maintaining weather condition under which it would be like shooting fish in a barrel for Muslims to live co-ordinate to Islamic principles, and to run into that justice was done to all. Abu Bakr, at the time he accepted the caliphate, stated his position thus:

"The weak among you shall be stiff with me until their rights accept been vindicated; and the strong amid y'all shall he weak with me until, if the Lord wills, I have taken what is due from them... Obey me every bit long equally I obey God and His Messenger. When I disobey Him and His Prophet, then obey me not."

The Rightly-Guided Caliphs (Al-Khulafa-ur-Rashidun)

Those Caliphs who truly followed in the Prophet'southward pes steps are called 'The Rightly-Guided Caliphs' (Al-Khulafa-ur Rashidun in Arabic). They are the first iv Caliphs: Abu Bakr, 'Umar, Uthman and Ali; Umar ibn Abdul-Aziz; and seven Caliphs who did non announced even so, the concluding one of them is Al-Mahdi. All the fist four were amid thc earliest and closest Companions of the Prophet . They lived simple and righteous lives and strove difficult for the religion of God. Their justice was impartial, their handling of others was kind and merciful, and they were one with the people - the first among equals. Afterwards these four, the later Caliphs causeless the manners of kings and emperors and the true spirit of equality of ruler and ruled macerated to a considerable extent in the political life of Muslims.

It should exist clearly understood that the mission of Prophet Muhammad , and hence that of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs, was non political, social or economic reform, although such reforms were a logical consequence of the success of this mission, nor the unity of a nation and the establishment of an empire, although the nation did unite and vast areas came under one assistants, nor the spread of a civilization or culture, although many civilizations and cultures developed, but only to deliver the bulletin of God to all the peoples of the world and to invite them to submit to Him, while existence the foremost amongst those who submitted.

What About the Present?

The primary responsibility of an Islamic authorities is still the same every bit it was in the days of the early Caliphs: to brand all laws in accordance with the Qur'an and the Sunnah, to make positive efforts to create and maintain conditions under which it will exist possible and easy for Muslims to live an Islamic life, to secure impartial and speedy justice for all, and to strive hard in the path of God. Any regime which is committed to such a policy is truly following the message delivered by the Prophet .

The First Caliph, Abu Bakr (632-634 A.C.)

"If I were to have a friend other than my Lord, I would have Abu Bakr as a friend." (Hadith)

Election to the Caliphate

The Prophet'southward closest Companion, Abu Bakr, was not present when the Holy Prophet breathed his last in the flat of his beloved wife of later on years, Aisha, Abu Bakr's daughter. When he came to know of the Prophet's passing, Abu Bakr hurried to the firm of sorrow.

"How blessed was your life and how beatific is your expiry,"

he whispered as he kissed the cheek of his beloved friend and chief who now was no more.

When Abu Bakr came out of the Prophet's apartment and broke the news, atheism and dismay gripped the customs of Muslims in Medina. Muhammad had been the leader, the guide and the bearer of Divine revelation through whom they had been brought from idolatry and atrocity into the way of God. How could he die? Even Umar, 1 of the bravest and strongest of the Prophet's Companions, lost his composure and drew his sword and threatened to kill anyone who said that the Prophet was dead. Abu Bakr gently pushed him aside, ascended the steps of the lectern in the mosque and addressed the people, saying

"O people, verily whoever worshipped Muhammad, behold! Muhammad is indeed expressionless. Merely whoever worships God, behold! God is alive and volition never die."

And then he concluded with a poetry from the Qur'an:

"And Muhammad is merely a Messenger. Many Messengers have gone before him; if so he dies or is killed, will you turn back upon your heels?" [3:144]

On hearing these words, the people were consoled. Despondency gave place to conviction and tranquility. This critical moment had passed. But the Muslim community was now faced with an extremely serious trouble: that of choosing a leader. Subsequently some give-and-take amongst the Companions of the Prophet who had assembled in social club to select a leader, it became apparent that no one was better suited for this responsibility than Abu Bakr. A portion of the spoken language the First Caliph gave after his ballot has already been quoted in the introduction.

Abu Bakr'south Life

Abu Bakr ('The Owner of Camels') was not his existent proper noun. He caused this name later on in life because of his great involvement in raising camels. His real name was Abdul Ka'aba ('Slave of Ka'aba'), which Muhammad afterward changed to Abdullah ('Slave of God'). The Prophet also gave him the championship of 'Siddiq' - 'The Testifier to the Truth.'

Abu Bakr was a fairly wealthy merchant, and earlier he embraced Islam, was a respected citizen of Mecca. He was iii years younger than Muhammad and some natural analogousness drew them together from earliest child hood. He remained the closest Companion of the Prophet all through the Prophet's life. When Muhammad first invited his closest friends and relatives to Islam, Abu Bakr was among the earliest to accept it. He as well persuaded Uthman and Bilal to accept Islam. In the early days of the Prophet's mission, when the handful of Muslims were subjected to relentless persecution and torture, Abu Bakr diameter his total share of hardship. Finally when God's permission came to emigrate from Mecca, he was the one chosen by the Prophet to accompany him on the dangerous journey to Medina. In the numerous battles which took place during the life of the Prophet, Abu Bakr was always by his side. Once, he brought all his belongings to the Prophet, who was raising coin for the defence of Medina. The Prophet asked "Abu Bakr, what did yous leave for your family?" The reply came: "God and His Prophet."

Even before Islam, Abu Bakr was known to be a man of upright character and amiable and compassionate nature. All through his life he was sensitive to homo suffering and kind to the poor and helpless. Fifty-fifty though he was wealthy, he lived very but and spent his coin for clemency, for freeing slaves and for the crusade of Islam. He ofttimes spent office of the night in supplication and prayer. He shared with his family a cheerful and affectionate home life.

Abu-Bakr's Caliphate

Such, then, was the man upon whom the burden of leadership savage at the most sensitive period in the history of the Muslims.

Every bit the news of the Prophet's death spread, a number of tribes rebelled and refused to pay Zakat (poor-due), saying that this was due only to the Prophet . At the same time a number of impostors claimed that the prophethood had passed to them after Muhammad and they raised the standard of revolt. To add to all this, two powerful empires, the Eastern Roman and the Persian, as well threatened the new-built-in Islamic state at Medina.

Nether these circumstances, many Companions of the Prophet, including Umar, advised Abu Bakr to brand concessions to the Zakat evaders, at least for a time. The new Caliph disagreed. He insisted that the Divine Law cannot be divided, that there is no distinction between the obligations of Zakat and Salat (prayer), and that whatever compromise with the injunctions of God would eventually erode the foundations of Islam. Umar and others were quick to realize their mistake of judgment. The revolting tribes attacked Medina but the Muslims were prepared. Abu Bakr himself led the charge, forcing them to retreat. He then made a relentless war on the simulated claimants to prophethood, most of whom submitted and again professed lslam.

The threat from the Roman Empire had actually arisen earlier, during the Prophet'southward lifetime. The Prophet had organized an army under the command of Usama, the son of a freed slave. The army had not gone far when the Prophet had fallen ill so they stopped. Later the death of the Prophet , the question was raised whether the army should be sent again or should remain for the defence force of Medina. Once again Abu Bakr showed a business firm conclusion. He said, "I shall send Usama'southward army on its way as ordered by the Prophet, even if I am left lone."

The final instructions he gave to Usama prescribed a code of conduct in war which remains unsurpassed to this mean solar day. Part of his instructions to the Muslim regular army were:

"Do not be deserters, nor exist guilty of disobedience. Do not kill an erstwhile homo, a adult female or a child. Practice not hurt appointment palms and do not cut down fruit copse. Do not slaughter any sheep or cows or camels except for nutrient. You will encounter persons who spend their lives in monasteries. Go out them lonely and do not molest them."

Khalid bin Waleed had been called past the Prophet on several occasions to lead Muslim armies. A man of supreme backbone and a born leader, his military machine genius came to full flower during the Caliphate of Abu Bakr. Throughout Abu Bakr'south reign Khalid led his troops from one victory to some other against the attacking Romans.

Some other contribution of Abu Bakr to the cause of Islam was the collection and compilation of the verses of the Qur'an.

Abu Bakr died on 21 Jamadi-al Akhir, thirteen A.H. (23 August 634 A.C.), at the age of sixty-three, and was buried by the side of the Holy Prophet . His caliphate had been of a mere xx-seven months duration. In this brief bridge, however, Abu Bakr had managed, past the Grace of God, to strengthen and consolidate his community and the state, and to secure the Muslims against the perils which had threatened their existence.

The 2d Caliph, Umar (634-644 A.C.)

"God has placed truth upon Umar's tongue and heart." (Hadith)

'Umar's Life

During his last illness Abu Bakr had conferred with his people, especially the more eminent amid them. After this meeting they chose 'Umar as his successor. 'Umar was built-in into a respected Quraish family xiii years after the birth of Muhammad . Umar's family unit was known for its all-encompassing noesis of genealogy. When he grew up, 'Umar was good in this branch of knowledge as well every bit in swordsmanship, wrestling and the art of speaking. He also learned to read and write while still a child, a very rare thing in Mecca at that time. 'Umar earned his living every bit a merchant. His trade took him to many foreign lands and he met all kinds of people. This experience gave him an insight into the affairs and issues of men. 'Umar's personality was dynamic, self-believing, frank and directly forward. He always spoke whatever was in his heed fifty-fifty if it displeased others.

'Umar was twenty-7 when the Prophet proclaimed his mission. The ideas Muhammad was preaching enraged him as much as they did the other notables of Mecca. He was just as bitter against anyone accepting Islam as others among the Quraish. When his slave-daughter accepted Islam he beat her until he himself was wearied and told her, "I have stopped because I am tired, not out of pity for you lot." The story of his embracing Islam is an interesting i. One day, full of anger against the Prophet, he drew his sword and set up out to kill him. A friend met him on the manner. When 'Umar told him what he planned to do, his friend informed him that 'Umar'southward own sister, Fatima, and her married man had also accepted Islam. 'Umar went straight to his sister'southward house where he found her reading from pages of the Qur'an. He fell upon her and beat her mercilessly. Hobbling and bleeding, she told her brother, "Umar, yous can exercise what you similar, but you cannot turn our hearts abroad from Islam." These words produced a strange effect upon 'Umar. What was this faith that made even weak women and so strong of centre? He asked his sister to prove him what she had been reading; he was at once moved to the core by the words of the Qur'an and immediately grasped their truth. He went directly to the firm where the Prophet was staying and vowed allegiance to him.

Umar fabricated no clandestine of his acceptance of Islam. He gathered the Muslims and offered prayers at the Ka'aba. This disrespect and devotion of an influential denizen of Mecca raised the morale of the pocket-sized community of Muslims. Notwithstanding 'Umar was also subjected to privations, and when permission for emigration to Medina came, he as well left Mecca. The soundness of 'Umar'south judgment, his devotion to the Prophet , his outspokenness and uprightness won for him a trust and conviction from the Prophet which was second merely to that given to Abu Bakr. The Prophet gave him the title 'Farooq' which means the 'Separator of Truth from Simulated hood.' During the Caliphate of Abu Bakr, 'Umar was his closest assistant and adviser. When Abu Bakr died, all the people of Medina swore allegiance to 'Umar, and on 23 Jamadi-al-Akhir, 13 A.H., he was proclaimed Caliph.

'Umar'southward Caliphate

Afterwards taking charge of his role, 'Umar spoke to the Muslims of Medina:

"...O people, you accept some rights on me which yous can always merits. One of your rights is that if anyone of yous comes to me with a merits, he should leave satisfied. Another of your rights is that you can demand that I take nothing unjustly from the revenues of the State. You tin also demand that... I fortify your frontiers and practice not put y'all into danger. It is also your right that if y'all go to battle I should look afterward your families as a father would while y'all are away.
O people, remain conscious of God, forgive me my faults and assist me in my task. Assist me in enforcing what is good and forbidding what is evil. Suggest me regarding the obligations that have been imposed upon me by God...
"

The virtually notable feature of 'Umar'due south caliphate was the vast expansion of Islam. Autonomously from Arabia, Egypt, Iraq, Palestine and Iran also came under the protection of the Islamic regime. Merely the greatness of 'Umar himself lies in the quality of his rule. He gave a practical significant to the Qur'anic injunction:

"O you who believe, stand up out firmly for justice as witnesses to God, fifty-fifty equally against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it concerns rich or poor, for God can best protect both." [4:135]

Once a adult female brought a merits confronting the Caliph 'Umar. When 'Umar appeared on trial before the judge, the judge stood up as a sign of respect toward him. 'Umar reprimanded him, saying, "This is the get-go human activity of injustice you did to this woman!"

He insisted that his appointed governors live uncomplicated lives, keep no guard at their doors and be accessible to the people at all times, and he himself fix the example for them. Many times strange envoys and messengers sent to him by his generals found him resting under a palm tree or praying in the mosque among the people, and it was difficult for them to distinguish which man was the Caliph. He spent many a watchful night going about the streets of Medina to see whether anyone needed assist or aid. The full general social and moral tone of the Muslim guild at that time is well-illustrated by the words of an Egyptian who was sent to spy on the Muslims during their Egyptian campaign. He reported:

"I take seen a people, every one of whom loves death more than than he loves life. They cultivate humility rather than pride. None is given to material ambitions. Their manner of living is simple... Their commander is their equal. They brand no distinction between superior and inferior, between master and slave. When the fourth dimension of prayer approaches, none remains behind..."

'Umar gave his authorities an authoritative structure. Departments of treasury, army and public revenues were established. Regular salaries were set up upwardly for soldiers. A popuation demography was held. Elaborate land surveys were conducted to appraise equitable taxes. New cities were founded. The areas which came nether his rule were divided into provinces and governors were appointed. New roads were laid, canals were lug and wayside hotels were congenital. Provision was made for he support of the poor and the needy from public funds. He divers, by precept and by example, the rights and privileges of non-Muslims, an instance of which is the following contract with the Christians of Jerusalem:

"This is the protection which the servant of God, 'Umar, the Ruler of the Believers has granted to the people of Eiliya [Jerusalem]. The protection is for their lives and backdrop, their churches and crosses, their sick and healthy and for all their coreligionists. Their churches shall not exist used for abode, nor shall they be demolished, nor shall any injury exist done to them or to their compounds, or to their crosses, nor shall their backdrop be injured in whatsoever style. In that location shall be no compulsion for these people in the matter of religion, nor shall any of them endure any injury on business relationship of faith... Whatever is written herein is under the covenant of God and the responsibleness of His Messenger, of the Caliphs and of the believers, and shall agree practiced as long as they pay Jizya [the taxation for their defense] imposed on them."

Those non-Muslims who took part in defence together with the Muslims were exempted from paying Jizya, and when the Muslims had to retreat from a city whose non-Muslim citizens had paid this tax for their defense, the revenue enhancement was returned to the not-Muslims. The old, the poor and the disabled of Muslims and non-Muslims alike were provided for from the public treasury and from the Zakat funds.

'Umar's Decease

In 23 A.H., when Umar returned to Medina from Hajj;, he raised his hands and prayed, "O God! I am advanced in years, my basic are weary, my powers are declining, and the people for whom I am responsible have spread far and wide. Summon me dorsum to Thyself, my lord!" Some fourth dimension later, when 'Umar went to the mosque to pb a prayer, a Magian named Abu Lulu Feroze, who had a grudge against 'Umar on a personal matter, attacked him with a dagger and stabbed him several times. Umar reeled and brutal to the ground. When he learned that the assassinator was a Magian, he sid, "Give thanks God he is not a Muslim."

'Umar died in the first calendar week of Muharram, 24 A.H., and was buried by the side of the Holy Prophet .

The Third Caliph, Uthman (644-656 A.C.)

"Every Prophet has an assistant, and my assistant volition exist Uthman." (Hadith)

Uthman's Election

When 'Umar fell under the assassin's dagger, before he died the people asked him to nominate his successor. 'Umar appointed a committee consisting of six of the ten companions of the Prophet about whom the Prophet had said, "They are the people of Sky" - Ali, Uthman, Abdul Rahman, Sa'advertizement, Al-Zubayr and Talha - to select the next Caliph from amid themselves. He too outlined the procedure to exist followed if any differences of stance should ascend. Abdul Rahman withdrew his proper noun. He was then authorized by the commission to nominate the Caliph. After 2 days of word among the candidates and after the opinions of the Muslims in Medina had been ascertained, the choice was finally limited to Uthman and Ali. Abdul Rahman came to the mosque together with other Muslims, and after a cursory speech and questioning of the two men, swore allegiance to Uthman. All those present did the same, and Uthman became the third Caliph of Islam in the month of Muharram, 24 A.H.

Uthman's Life

Uthman bin Affan was born seven years after the Holy Prophet . He belonged to the Omayyad branch of the Quraish tribe. He learned to read and write at an early historic period, and as a young man became a successful merchant. Even before Islam Uthman had been noted for his truthfulness and integrity. He and Abu Bakr were close friends, and it was Abu Bakr who brought him to Islam when he was thirty-four years of age. Some years later he married the Prophet's second daughter, Ruqayya. In spite of his wealth and position, his relatives subjected him to torture because he had embraced Islam, and he was forced to emigrate to Abyssinia. Some time later he returned to Mecca but shortly migrated to Medina with the other Muslims. In Medina his business concern again began to flourish and he regained his former prosperity. Uthman's generosity had no limits. On various occasions he spent a swell portion of his wealth for the welfare of the Muslims, for charity and for equipping the Muslim armies. That is why he came to be known as 'Ghani' meaning 'Generous.'

Uthman's wife, Ruqayya was seriously ill just earlier the Battle of Badr and he was excused by the Prophet from participating in the boxing. The illness Ruqayya proved fatal, leaving Uthman deeply grieved. The Prophet was moved and offered Uthman the paw of another of his daughters, Kulthum. Because he had the loftier privilege of having 2 daughters of the Prophet every bit wives Uthman was known as 'The Possessor of the Two Lights.'

Uthman participated in the Battles of Uhud and the Trench. Later the encounter of the Trench, the Prophet determined to perform Hajj and sent Uthman as his emissary to the Quraish in Mecca, who detained him. The episode ended in a treaty with the Meccans known as the Treaty of Hudaibiya.

The portrait we have of Uthman is of an unassuming, honest, mild, generous and very kindly human being, noted especially for his modesty and his piety. He oftentimes spent part of the dark in prayer, fasted every second or third solar day, performed hajj every year, and looked after the needy of the whole community. In spite of his wealth, he lived very only and slept on bare sand in the courtyard of the Prophet'southward mosque. Uthman knew the Qur'an from memory and had an intimate noesis of the context and circumstances relating to each verse.

Uthman's Caliphate

During Uthman'due south rule the characteristics of Abu Bakr's and Umar'south caliphates - impartial justice for all, mild and humane policies, striving in the path of God, and the expansion of Islam - continued. Uthman'southward realm extended in the west to Morocco, in the east to Transitional islamic state of afghanistan, and in the north to Armenia and Republic of azerbaijan. During his caliphate a navy was organized, authoritative divisions of the state were revised, and many public projects were expanded and completed. Uthman sent prominent Companions of the Prophet equally his personal deputies to diverse provinces to scrutinize the conduct of officials and the condition of the people.

Uthman's most notable contribution to the religion of God was the compilation of a complete and authoritative text of the Qur'an. A large number of copies of this text were made and distributed all over the Muslim globe.

Uthman ruled for twelve years. The first six years were marked past internal peace and tranquillity, but during the 2nd half of his caliphate a rebellion arose. The Jews and the Magians, taking advantage of dissatisfaction among the people, began conspiring confronting Uthman, and by publicly airing their complaints and grievances, gained so much sympathy that it became difficult to distinguish friend from foe.

It may seem surprising that a ruler of such vast territories, whose armies were matchless, was unable to bargain with these rebels. If Uthman had wished, the rebellion could take been crushed at the very moment it began. Only he was reluctant to be the first to shed the blood of Muslims (especially Sahaba), all the same rebellious they might be. No ane would ever expected what happend later on. He preferred to reason with them, to persuade them with kindness and generosity. He well remembered hearing the Prophet say, "In one case the sword is unsheathed among my followers, it will not exist sheathed until the Last Day."

The rebels demanded that he abdicate and some of the Companions advised him to do so. He would gladly have followed this class of action, but again he was leap by a solemn pledge he had given to the Prophet. "Possibly God will clothe you lot with a shirt, Uthman" the Prophet had told him once, "and if the people want you to take information technology off, do not have it off for them." Uthman said to a well-wisher on a day when his house was surrounded by the rebels, "God'south Messenger made a covenant with me and I shall show endurance in adhering to it."

Subsequently a long siege, the rebels broke into Uthman'due south house and murdered him. When the commencement assassinator's sword struck Uthman, he was reciting the verse,

"Verily, God sufficeth thee; He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing" [2:137]

Uthman breathed his last on the afternoon of Friday, 17 Dhul Hijja, 35 A.H. (June. (656 A.C.). He was eighty-four years one-time. The power of tHe rebels was so great that Uthman'due south body lay unburied until Saturday night when he was buried in his claret-stained clothes, the shroud which befits all martyrs in the cause of God.

The Fourth Caliph, Ali (656-661 A.C.)

"Yous [Ali] are my blood brother in this world and the next." (Hadith)

Ali's Election

After Uthman's martyrdom, the office of the caliphate remained unfilled for two or three days. Many people insisted that Ali should take up the office, but he was embarrassed by the fact that the people who pressed him hardest were the rebels, and he therefore declined at get-go. When the notable Companions of the Prophet urged him, nevertheless, he finally agreed.

Ali'southward Life

Ali bin Abi Talib was the first cousin of the Prophet . More than than that, he had grown up in the Prophet's own household, later married his youngest daughter, Fatima, and remained in closest association with him for nearly thirty years.

Ali was ten years old when the Divine Bulletin came to Muhammad . 1 dark he saw the Prophet and his wife Khadijah bowing and prostrating. He asked the Prophet virtually the pregnant of their actions. The Prophet told him that they were praying to God Most High and that Ali besides should accept Islam. Ali said that he would first similar to enquire his male parent virtually it. He spent a sleepless night, and in the morning he went to the Prophet and said, "When God created me He did not consult my begetter, so why should I consult my father in order to serve God?" and he accepted the truth of Muhammad'southward bulletin.

When the Divine command came, "And warn thy nearest relatives" [26:214], Muhammad invited his relatives for a meal. After it was finished, he addressed them and asked, "Who will bring together me in the cause of God?" There was utter silence for a while, and so Ali stood upwardly. "I am the youngest of all present here," he said, "My eyes problem me because they are sore and my legs are thin and weak, merely I shall join you and help you lot in whatever manner I tin." The assembly broke upwards in derisive laughter. Merely during the hard wars in Mecca, Ali stood by these words and faced all the hardships to which the Muslims were subjected. He slept in the bed of the Prophet when the Quraish planned to murder Muhammad. Information technology was he to whom the Prophet entrusted, when he left Mecca, the valuables which had been given to him for safekeeping, to be returned to their owners.

Apart from the expedition of Tabuk, Ali fought in all the early battles of Islam with great distinction, particularly in the trek of Khaybar. Information technology is said that in the Battle of Uhud he received more than sixteen wounds.

The Prophet loved Ali dearly and called him by many addicted names. In one case the Prophet constitute him sleeping in the grit. He brushed off Ali'due south wearing apparel and said fondly, "Wake up, Abu Turab (Father of Dust)." The Prophet also gave him the title of 'Asadullah' ('Panthera leo of God').

Ali's humility, thrift, piety, deep knowledge of the Qur'an and his sagacity gave him great stardom among the Prophet's Companions. Abu Bakr, 'Umar and Uthman consulted him often during their caliphates. Many times 'Umar had fabricated him his vice-regent at Medina when he was abroad. Ali was also a great scholar of Standard arabic literature and pioneered in the field of grammar and rhetoric. His speeches, sermons and messages served for generations afterward as models of literary expression. Many of his wise and epigrammatic sayings have been preserved. Ali thus had a rich and versatile personality. In spite of these attainments he remained a modest and humble man. Once during his caliphate when he was going nigh the marketplace, a homo stood up in respect and followed him. "Practise non exercise it," said Ali. "Such manners are a temptation for a ruler and a disgrace for the ruled."

Ali and his household lived extremely simple and austere lives. Sometimes they fifty-fifty went hungry themselves because of Ali'southward smashing generosity, and none who asked for assist was ever turned abroad from his door. His plain, austere style of living did not modify even when he was ruler over a vast domain.

Ali's Caliphate

As mentioned previously, Ali accepted the caliphate very reluctantly. Uthman'south murder and the events surrounding it were a symptom, and likewise became a cause, of ceremonious strife on a large calibration. All governors gave the pledge to Ali except Muawiya, the governor of Sham (Swell Syria). Muawiya declined to obey until Uthman's blood was avenged. His decision was based on the fact that he is not required to obey the Caliph until he (Ali) is able to enforce the rule of Allah. Muawiya was the cuisine of 'Uthman, and so he was the responsible of request Ali to bring the murderers to trial. The Prophet's widow Aisha also took the position that Ali should starting time bring the murderers to trial. Due to the chaotic atmospheric condition during the concluding days of Uthman it was very difficult to establish the identity of the murderers, and Ali refused to punish anyone whose guilt was not lawfully proved.

The pretext for the coming together of the armies on the solar day of the Camel and the day of Siffin was the demand for `Uthman's killers on the part of `A'isha and Mu`awiya, only the winds of state of war were fanned by the followers of Abdullah bin Saba' the Jew, from inside all three camps until events escaped the control of the Companions. It is related that `Ali, `A'isha , and Mu`awiya often expressed astonishment at the dissension and opposition that surrounded them.

However, fifty-fifty though the era of Ali'southward caliphate was marred by civil strife, he nevertheless introduced a number of reforms, particularly in the levying and collecting of revenues.

It was the fortieth year of Hijra. A fanatical grouping called Kharijites, consisting of people who had cleaved away from Ali due to his compromise with Muawiya, claimed that neither Ali, the Caliph, nor Muawiya, the ruler of Syria, nor Amr bin al-Aas, the ruler of Egypt, were worthy of rule. In fact, they went so far as to say that the true caliphate came to an terminate with 'Umar and that Muslims should alive without any ruler over them except God. They vowed to kill all 3 rulers, and assassins were dispatched in three directions. While `Ali, `A'isha , and Mu`awiya were all fighting in the cuase of Allah and did not want to shed whatever claret, Kharijites on the other side were dissenters who honey to kill innocent Muslims. It is important to observe that in that location was no Sahaba at all in the regular army of Kharijites.

The assassins who were deputed to kill Muawiya and Amr did non succeed and were captured and executed, just Ibn-Muljim, the assassin who was deputed to kill Ali, accomplished his task. 1 morning time when Ali was absorbed in prayer in a mosque, Ibn-Muljim stabbed him with a poisoned sword. On the 20th of Ramadan, 40 A.H., died the great Companion. May God Most Loftier be pleased with them and grant to them His eternal advantage.

Determination

With the death of Ali, the showtime and almost notable stage in the history of Muslim peoples came to an end. All through this menstruum information technology had been the Book of God and the practices of His Messenger - that is, thc Qur'an and the Sunnah - which had guided the leaders and the led, fix the standards of their moral carry and inspired their actions. It was the time when the ruler and the ruled, the rich and the poor, the powerful and the weak, were uniformly subject to the Divine Law. It was an epoch of freedom and equality, of God-consciousness and humility, of social justice which recognized no privileges, and of an impartial law which accepted no pressure groups or vested interests.

Later Ali, Muslims agreed to requite the caliphate to Muawiya. Muawiya tried to go on on the aforementioned style as The Rightly-Guided Caliphs, merely he was ruling a dissimilar generation of people.

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Source: http://www.islamicweb.com/history/bio_caliphs.htm