Khilafat-e-Rashidah — Page 53
KHILAFAT-E-R A SHIDAH 53 the Prophet sa was ever asked, “O Messenger of Allah, when you pass away, then what will happen? Will there will be Khilafat, or parliament, or a committee to look after the affairs of the Muslims?” Only a hard- hearted person can speak on such matters, or one who is devoid of love for a Prophet and unaware of his greatness. The A ha d i th show that the Companions ra enquired from him about many problems and received information by putting questions, but the issue of succession was one which the Companions ra could not ask about, nor could they think of it, for they thought that he would outlive them. Thus, this issue, to some extent, remained veiled, and the death of the Prophet sa was the real time of its disclosure. These were the state of affairs at the time of the death of the Prophet sa. Upon his demise, the Companions ra felt a great shock. It was the first time they realized that it was possible for the Prophet sa to be separated from them; for the first time, the importance of their need for an organization, in accordance to the ways and wishes of the Prophet sa , dawned upon them in its true significance, and they began to reflect on its different aspects. No doubt, the details of the organization are present in the Holy Quran, but they remained veiled to them and they never discussed them. They read them in some other context. They did not interpret them in such ways as would reveal to them what they should do after the death of the Prophet sa.