Khilafat-e-Rashidah — Page 214
214 KHILAFAT-E-R A SHIDAH imperfect as Khulaf a ’ because they discharged their duties, but they received Prophethood directly. Therefore their Khilafat was not perfect. Similarly, if their people received the kingdom then also they were not perfect as Khulaf a ’ because they directly inherited the power. Consequently the faculties of their people were not nurtured because the public was not involved in their appointment, and there was no involvement of initial Prophets in the Prophethood of their subordinate Prophets. Whenever authority is inherited by the son or the grandson by inheritance, no need is felt to raise the level of learning and the growth of the faculties of the common man to the extent that they may elect their authorities properly. But when the election of the authorities is in the hands of public, the government is bound to make every person well- informed, gain an awareness of the political situation and public affairs, so that they may not make an unwise choice at the time of election. Islam is the only religion that directs the election of authorities, thus addressing the need for increasing awareness of public affairs. In short, the Khilafat of the Prophets before the Holy Prophet sa , whether it took the form of Prophets or kings, was imperfect. As the Holy Prophet sa was the perfect Prophet in the real sense; the one who had to come after him or will come, would have to be his subordinate, and would receive Prophethood only by