7.1 — Main Events of the Rules of the Four Caliphs

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Main Content

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🕌 Who Were the Rightly Guided Caliphs?

After the passing of Prophet Muhammad PBUH, the Muslim community needed leaders to guide them. These leaders are known as the Khulafa-e-Rashideen — the Rightly Guided Caliphs. There were four of them:

1. Hazrat Abu Bakr RZ (632–634 AD)
2. Hazrat Umar RZ (634–644 AD)
3. Hazrat Uthman RZ (644–656 AD)
4. Hazrat Ali RZ (656–661 AD)

Each of them played a vital role in protecting and expanding Islam. Their rules are studied as examples of justice, courage, and devotion to Allah SWT.

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1️⃣ Hazrat Abu Bakr RZ (632–634 AD / 11–13 A.H)

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His Election as the First Caliph

When Prophet Muhammad PBUH passed away, the Muslim community was in deep grief. Two major groups in Madina — the Ansar (local helpers) and the Muhajirin (emigrants from Makkah) — both had claims to leadership.

• The Ansar gathered at a place called Saqeefa Bani Sai'dah to choose a leader from among themselves.
• Hazrat Abu Bakr RZ, Hazrat Umar RZ, and Hazrat Abu Ubaidah RZ joined the meeting.
• Hazrat Abu Bakr RZ calmly explained that the Arab tribes would only accept a leader from the Quraish tribe at that sensitive time.
• Both Hazrat Umar RZ and Hazrat Abu Ubaidah RZ pledged their allegiance to Hazrat Abu Bakr RZ, and the rest of the community followed.

Why was he chosen?

• His deep piety and lifelong loyalty to Prophet Muhammad PBUH
• His close personal bond with the Prophet (his friend and father-in-law)
• Being from the Quraish tribe, which was respected by Arab tribes
• His proven wisdom, courage, and calm in crisis situations

In his first speech at Masjid-e-Nabwi, Hazrat Abu Bakr RZ declared that he would follow the path of the Prophet, protect the weak, and govern with justice.

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