The Reality of Khilafah — Page 27
C H AP T E R ON E—K HIL C H AP T E R ON E—K HIL A A FAH FAH 27 and driven out by the evildoers but remained steadfast in the manner of the most virtuous and righteous of men. When they became Khulaf a’ , they did not fill their homes with wealth and treasures and their sons and daughters did not inherit gold and sil- ver. Instead, they returned everything they acquired to the Public Treasury. They did not appoint their sons as their successors, as is the way of the worldly and of those who go astray. They lived in this world in the raiment of poverty and want and did not incline towards lives of luxury like kings and lords. Is it then believable that they usurped people’s property through wrongdoing and that they were in any way inclined towards usurping, looting and robbing? Was this the effect that the company of the Messenger of Allah, the Best of the Universe, had upon them? Could this be true when Allah, the Lord of all Creation, has praised and commended them! Certainly not! Allah had indeed purified their souls, cleansed their hearts, and illumined their beings. He made them models of righteousness for all pious people to come. We cannot find even the slightest hint of ill intention on their part, or the least indication of any evil act. Surely, no injustice can be attributed to them. By Allah! They were men who acted justly. Had they been presented with a valley full of riches acquired by unfair means, they would not have cared the least for it. They would never be allured by wealth like those who follow their base desires, even if it was a mountain of gold. When they obtained money earned in a righteous way, they only spent it in the way of Allah, the Glorious, and for the obligations of the Faith. How then can it be imagined that they angered Az-Zahr a [ Hadrat F at imah ra] for the sake of a few trees and distressed the daughter of the Holy Prophet s as like