Khilafat-e-Rashidah — Page 236
236 KHILAFAT-E-R A SHIDAH Otherwise it did not condone criticism of his daily routine following whatever corresponded to their will. Could Hadrat Abu Bakr ra Commit Open Infidelity If anybody asks whether Hadrat Abu Bakr ra could commit open infidelity, the answer would begin by questioning whether Hadrat Abu Bakr ra could be crooked that the Muslims would feel the need to set him right. Such a condition could only be created when the Companions ra proved from the Holy Quran and A ha d i th that he had gone against the word of the Holy Quran and A ha d i th. Was it possible for Hadrat Abu Bakr ra to take a step against the Holy Quran and A ha d i th ? And for the Muslims to feel the need to set him right by force? Such type of crookedness and open infidelity was not possible for him. But to make it clear he stated that the eternal truth is the greatest of all things. It did not mean (God forbid) that he could commit the open infidelity. But it was his contention that being in the position of Khalifah, it was his job to spread the teachings of his Prophet sa and obedience in the real sense. Therefore, he pointed out to them that the eternal truth is above everything, and they should never leave the real teaching even if he himself spoke against it.