An Exposition of Some Criticisms Against Khilafat-e-Rashida — Page 38
AN EXPOSITION OF SOME CRITICI SMS AG AINST KHILAFAT - E - RASHIDA 38 Because of this situation, God confirmed in the Khilafat verse of Surah - Noor that He would establish the institution of Khilafat with a view to giving glory and strength to the faith, but did not mention beforehand the names of those who were to occupy thi s office so that the believers may earn the reward of recognizing them through their own efforts. The absence of their names in the Holy Quran also proves the fact that the Quran also does not think it necessary to do so. The Holy Prophet was in the unique position that had he nominated a person to succeed him, the entire following would have accepted the appointment, but the Holy Prophet did not think it necessary to do so. Indeed a nomination by the Holy Prophet would have saved Muslims from many untoward incidences which eventually took place around this issue, and would certainly have created a precedenc e for the Khalifas to nominate their own successors. But the fact is that such a nomination would certainly have been devoid of God’s blessings and would not have carried the approval of Muslim democracy. However since this type of nomination is not acceptab le in Islam, the Holy Prophet did not nominate a suc - cessor even though he had the names of very prominent and cap - able faithful devotees on his fingertips appropriate for this office, e. g. Abu Bakr who was the Prophet’s companion in the cave during his fl ight from Mecca, Omar who enjoyed full confidence of the Prophet for his sagacity and wisdom, Osman who was married to two of the Prophet’s daughters and in whose behalf the Holy Prophet initiated a Ba’it - i - Rizwan, and of course Ali who had been likened to Aaron by the Holy Prophet, may peace