The Reality of Khilafah — Page 106
106 SIRRUL-KHILAFAH-THE REALITY OF KHILAFAH of Creation, marked by a return to the precepts of prophethood and purified of harmful innovations and corrupt traditions. This period bears a likeness to the time of Khatamun-Nabiyyin [the Seal of the Prophets] who called it 'the Latter Days' because it comes at the end of the first two periods. Allah praised the believ- ers of the 'Latter Days' as He praised the 'early ones, and said: ثُمَّةٌ مِّنَ الْأَوَّلِينَ وَثُلَةٌ مِّنَ الْآخِرِينَ 10 No doubt, each party must have its Imam, and this is an indi- cation that the Seal of the Imams, the Promised Mahdi, will be joined with the Companions of the Holy Prophetsas, as the Almighty has said: وَآخَرِيْنَ مِنْهُمْ لَمَّا يَلْحَقُوا بِهِمْ 2 The Messenger of Allah, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was asked about the meaning of 'others' in this verse, and he responded by placing his hand on the shoulder of Salman [who was a Persian] and saying lovingly, 'if faith were to ascend to the Pleiades' that is, to disappear from this world-'a man from among these [of Persian people] shall surely find it. " 3 This is a subtle indication by the Best of Creation that 1. A large party from among the early Muslims, and a large party from the later ones (Sūrah al-Waqi'ah, 56:40-41). [Publisher] 2. And among others from among them who have not yet joined them. He is the Mighty, the Wise (Sūrah al-Jumu'ah, 62:4). [Publisher] 3. Şahih al-Bukhārī, Kitāb Tafsir al-Quran, Hadith 4897. [Publisher]