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The Four Caliphs of Islam

The state that is governed by the leader of Islam known as the caliph is referred to as a caliphate in Arabic, or "Khilafa" (Khalifah). A caliph is th

The state that is governed by the leader of Islam known as the caliph is referred to as a caliphate in Arabic, or "Khilafa" (Khalifah). A caliph is the head of the Muslim community and is regarded as the last Prophet Muhammad (SAW) spiritual successor. The role of a caliph was to provide Muslims with the ideal form of government in agreement with the teachings of the Hazrat Muhammad(S.A.W) and Allah (swt). Al-Khulafa-ur Rashidun, which translates to "The Rightly Conducted Caliphs" in Arabic, is the name given to the Caliphs who genuinely chased the Prophet's (S.A.W) example. Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A), Hazrat Umar (R.A), Hazrat Usman (R.A), and Hazrat Ali (R.A) were the first four ideal Caliphs. These caliphs were amid the Prophet Muhammad's closest and earliest companions (SAW). They made a sincere effort to uphold the Islamic faith while leading simple, upright lives (SWT). They were one with the people, the first among equals, and their justice was impartial. They also treated others with kindness and mercy.

We will go into detail about each of the four correctly guided Islam caliphs one by one.

Hazrat Abu Bakar (R.A)

After the passing of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW), the first caliph was also chosen from Medina to serve as the Muslim community's leader. Prophet Muhammad's close friend and father-in-law Hazrat Abu Bakar (RA) was the first caliph to be chosen by the Muslim community (SAW). Our beloved Prophet, Hazrat Abu Bakar (RA), was born nearly two years earlier in 573 A.D. He (R.A) was Prophet Muhammad's (S.A.W) closest friend, and the two of them had a lot in common in terms of character traits like truthfulness, honesty, and integrity. Regarding Hazrat Abu Bakar (RA), the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said:

''Dear Abu Bakr! You were my cave companion, and you will be my closest companion on the Heavens pond.'' (Tirmidhi)

Due to his unfavorable faith in the Hazrat Muhammad, he was the first man to accept Islam and get the title Al-Siddiq, that means the true believer (SAW). He (RA) was incredibly giving, kind, forgiving, loving, honest, and truthful. One of the best representatives of Islamic ethics was Hazrat Abu Bakar (RA). By bringing together the Muslims who were at odds, He (R.A) entrenched the legitimacy of the state. He (RA) put a lot of work into compiling and safeguarding the Holy Quran. For the first time, he (RA) was used to extend Islam outside of the Peninsula of Arab, in Iraq Syria and Palestine. He (RA) made it possible to uphold Islamic law and morals in the same manner as during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

Due to his noble qualities, Abu Bakar (R.A) has always been adored and admired by the general public. He had the kind of character that supported the needy and the poor and did not appreciate arrogant behaviour. He (RA) freed numerous Muslim slaves by giving their owners sizable sums of money in exchange for their release. His two-year caliphate came to an end when Hazrat Abu Bakar (R.A) passed away in 634 AD and was buried next to the last Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH).

Hazrat Umar (R.A)

The second caliph of Islam, Hazrat Umar (RA), was born in 580 A.D., he was almost ten years young than the Prophet  Muhammad (PBUH). He was one of the educated residents of Makah at that time. Hazrat Umar (R.A) was fit physically and well-regarded as a skilled wrestler in his youth. In fact, he (RA) was planning to kill Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), but after hearing the verses of Quran recited in his sister's home, he admited the Ayahs as true and converted to Islam by the hands of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH). He was given the name Al-Farooq by the Prophet of Allah (PBUH) because of his extraordinary capacity for fairness (the one who differentiate between the right and wrong).

Hazrat Umar Farooq (R.A) lived a straightforward, truthful, and honest life. He (RA) opened Jerusalem to the world during his caliphate, conquered numerous countries, and constructed roads in Medina for Muslims. The main accomplishments of Hazrat Umar (R.A) added the establishment of justice and peace in the society of Muslim, the establishment of Bait ul Maal for conservation and financial support, and the beginning of the Islamic calendar while he was in power. He died in 644 A.D. after serving as caliph for ten years. As per his request, Hazrat Umar (RA) was interred next to Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

The 3rd Caliph Usman (R.A)

Before Hazrat Umar (RA) passed away, people questioned him to name his heir. As a result, Hazrat Umar (R.A) arranged a committee. The next caliph must be chosen from among Talha, Hazrat Usman (RA), Hazrat Ali (RA), Sa'ad, Al-Zubayr and Abdul Rahman who were all present in this committee. Hazrat Usman was chosen as the Islam’s third caliph following the discussion. Prophet Muhammad (S) was nearly two years in 573 A.D when Usman (R.A) was born. At that time, he (RA) was one of the few knowledgeable individuals in the entire Makah.

Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A) a close friend of Hazrat Usman (R.A) told him about Islam, then he embraced it right away. The two daughters of the last Prophet (PBUH) were married by him (R.A), bestowing upon him the honorable title of Dhu al-Nurain (Possessor of two Lights). Abu Bakr (R.A) was a rich man who invested the majority of his wealth in the genuine service of Islam. For example, he bought a well from a Jew in Medina and made it available to all Muslims, as well as purchasing some land to increase the size of Masjid-e-Nabavi.

The reproduction of the Quran is among Hazrat Usman's (R.A) greatest contributions to Islam. Because some people mispronounced the Quran's verses due to dialect differences, a committee was formed during his reign and the only copy of the book was copied. The original of the Quran has reached us today because one sample was placed in Medina and the others were deliver to other cities like, Damascus, Makah, Kufa, Egypt and Basra. During the time of his caliphate, he made an effort to enhance vineyards and orchards. In his time, a large number of inhabitants of the Islamic world converted to Islam. The Muslims started to become wealthy and started to live better lives, which is a remarkable development of this time.

He was martyred by rebels in the 656 A.D., at the end of his caliphate. He was interred in Medina's Jannat-ul-Baqi cemetery.

Hazrat Ali (R.A)

First cousin to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and the youngest person to accept Islam, he was Hazrat Ali (R.A) who was born in 600 A.D. In addition, he (R.A) was the beloved daughter-in-law of the last Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the spouse of Hazrat Fatima (R.A). Hazrat Ali (R.A) was a tremendous soldier of the Islam and is renowned for his bravery. Due to his outstanding bravery, Hazrat Ali (RA) was given the name Asadullah (The Lion of Allah). He (RA) led a very straightforward life and was thankful to the Gracious Lord. Along with his humility and otherworldliness, RA was well known. He was well known for dressing simply. After Hazrat Usman was killed, Hazrat Ali (RA) was appointed Caliph (RA).

Hazrat Ali (RA) as the fourth and last caliph of Islam, did his finest job to bring Muslims together and establish harmony, but pretenders were now putting up a lot of resistance. The majority of the rebellion movements were put down by him (RA), who also overthrew the Umayyad in the Nahrawan Battle and implemented tax adjustments. Five years were spent as the caliph under Hazrat Ali (RA). On the 20th of Ramadan, 40 A.H., Hazrat Ali (RA), who was 63 years old, was killed by one of the traitor with a poisoned sword as he entered the mosque to offer Salah of Fajar (661 A.D).