The Reality of Khilafah — Page 37
C H AP T E R ON E—K HIL C H AP T E R ON E—K HIL A A FAH FAH 37 is a man of knowledge and wisdom and not an uneducated per- son who has no knowledge of Arabic. Anyone who is at par with the unlettered is not worthy of being prioritised for the reward. One who is as graceless as a camel does not deserve a place in the assembly of the charming. Whoever comes forth in response to a challenge must be comparable to his opponent. Similarly, I do not address this challenge to anyone who is not as able an author as I am. By the grace of Allah, I have reached the highest level in this field, and as such, I desire to face someone who is equal to me. I do not wish to challenge all and sundry, as this would offend my dignity and status. I shall not enter a discussion with an unedu- cated person and shall turn away from those who are unqualified. I have been vouchsafed knowledge that a s - S idd i q was the great- est in rank and the highest in station among all the Companions. There is no doubt that he is the first Khalifah and it is to him that the Quranic verse regarding Khil a fah applies. O adversaries of civility! If you think otherwise and claim that the promise of Khil a fah referred to some other person who came later, then you must provide clear evidence for this if you are indeed truthful. If you fail to produce such evidence—as you most certainly shall— then do not become adversaries of the righteous. Instead, put an end to this vicious argumentation. It behoves not a believer to incline towards extremism and not to enter the door to the truth when it has been thrown wide open. How can you curse one whose truthfulness Allah has Himself established? He was the one who, when he sought Allah’s help, was granted signs in his support and the mischievous plans of the wicked were foiled. Hadrat Ab u Bakr saved Islam from great calamities and adversi- ties. He got rid of those who were like serpents. He restored peace