It is not very difficult to understand the limits and qualities of every
companion, because in history – inspite of distortions and mix-ups, there are
enough hint to reality and for the well aware critic, there is no problem in
separating the pure from impure and the correct from incorrect; and it is possible
to derive the facts and distinctive qualities of persons and criterions, to
understand the values of the past communities.
It is necessary for us that in accounts of important persons from the past and
present periods of Islam, we should look with respect and not regard with
disgrace, especially those, who are recognized as righteous Caliphs in the
religious society, as their Caliphate was established through supposed legal
selection – although it has no reliability and value in the criterion of justice:
وَرَبُّكَ يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَاءُ وَيَخْتَارُ مَا كَانَ لَهُمُ الْخِيَرَةُ
“And your Lord creates and chooses whom He pleases; to choose is not theirs.”1
…and:
وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍ وَلَا مُؤْمِنَةٍ إِذَا قَضَى اللهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَمْرًا أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُمُ الْخِيَرَةُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْ
“And it behoves not a believing man and a believing woman that
they should have any choice in their 2matter when Allah and His
Apostle have decided a matter.”
And:
لِلَّهِ الْأَمْرُ مِنْ قَبْلُ وَمِنْ بَعْدُ
“Allah’s is the command before and after…”3
And:
وَهُوَ وَلِيُّهُمْ بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ
“He is their guardian because of what they did.”4
And:
وَكَذَّبُوا وَاتَّبَعُوا أَهْوَاءَهُمْ وَكُلُّ أَمْرٍ مُسْتَقِرٌّ
“And they call (it) a lie, and follow their low desires; and every affair has its appointed term.”5
Therefore, to accord respect to the companion of the Prophet in the cave and
the sole migrant in his company in the first group of migrants, who got
precedence over others, is important for us and to reduce his right, in recognition
of his good moral justice is from the great crimes.
We cannot say anything regarding the matter of Caliphate – that how it came
to an end? How it took shape? How it was established? And how it did not
continue? Whether views regarding that were free or not? Whether the will and
advice of Prophet was followed or not? Or they followed their desires and
resorted to force?
The discussions regarding all this is not important for us after the world
heard the tradition of Saqifah, which those people harp upon, and news of that
great calamity, and the beginning of a great deception, which appeared among
Muhajireen and Ansar.
إِذَا وَقَعَتِ ٱلْوَاقِعَةُ (١) لَيْسَ لِوَقْعَتِهَا كَاذِبَةٌ (٢) خَافِضَةٌۭ رَّافِعَةٌ (٣)
“When the great event comes to pass, there is no belying its coming to pass – abasing (one party), exalting (the other),”6
What can I say? While history is present before the researcher and from that
he learns that on that day every person saw his well being in not joining any of
the groups and not to enter that fiery atmosphere, because if he expressed his
opposition or joined a group, he would be threatened with death.
After that his eyes saw the wielded swords and his ears heard the voice of
the nasty speaker who said:
“I will not hear anyone say that Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) is dead, except
that I would hit him with my sword.”
Or: “I would strike off the head of one, who says that Messenger of Allah
(s.a.w.a.) is dead. Indeed, he has gone to the heavens.”7
He cried: “I would hit my sword on his head and decapitate one, who says
that Mustafa is dead.”8
What shall I say after this? Except that the Ummah was bewildered and they
were fighting each other; and those two old men arose, each of them, before asking the view of anyone, presented their allegiance to each other. As if this was
pre-planned.