Khilafat-e-Rashidah — Page 59
KHILAFAT-E-R A SHIDAH 59 the demise of the Prophet. In the circumstances under which the Holy Prophet sa passed away, some Companions ra initially considered that he had not passed away, but when they came to know of his demise, they were struck with shock and grief. They started agonizing over what should be done and what steps should be taken to continue the mission of the Holy Prophet sa ? In such confusion and pain, they moved here and there, and consequently, in a short time, they were divided into two groups, which, later on, became three. Three Groups of Companions ra after the Demise of the Holy Prophet sa One group thought that, after the Holy Prophet sa , there should be a person who would establish an Islamic system. They thought that as the family members of the Holy Prophet sa were considered the best judges of his wishes, thus, a Successor should be from the family of the Holy Prophet sa , and not from any other family. They believed that if a Successor were chosen from another family, people would not obey him, and thus the Islamic organization would be jeopardized. If the Khalifah was chosen from his family, then the people, who were used to obeying the family of the Holy Prophet sa would obey him willingly as well, just as when a king dies and his son becomes his Successor people obey him willingly, just as they obeyed the father.