Khilafat-e-Rashidah — Page 72
72 KHILAFAT-E-R A SHIDAH appointment. They responded, “We committed a mistake, and we do cut a sorry figure, but the question is, why did you listen to us? Therefore, we have become sinners and so have you. Now, we have sought Allah’s forgiveness, so you should do the same. You should confess that whatever you did was not lawful. ” Their purpose was that in the case of Hadrat Ali’s ra denial, they would separate themselves from his Bai‘at , under the pretext that since he acted against Islam, they could not remain in his Bai‘at. Even if he admitted his mistake and repented by seeking Allah’s forgiveness, his Khilafat would become null and void, because such a person who committed an immense mistake could not remain Khalifah. On hearing these arguments, Hadrat Ali ra replied, “I have not committed any mistake. The matter for which I appointed an arbiter was within the provisions of Islamic sharia. Furthermore, at the time of their appointment, I clearly mentioned that I shall accept their decision if and only if it is based on the Quran and A ha d i th. Otherwise, it would not be binding on me. As they did not follow this condition and did not give their verdict on that matter for which they were appointed, therefore, their decision is not binding on me. ” However, the hypocrites did not accept the plea of Hadrat Ali ra and separated themselves from his Bai‘at. They were called the Khaw a rij (Secessionists). They made this innovation in religion, that no Khalifah is worthy of utter submission on the