Khilafat-e-Rashidah — Page 61
KHILAFAT-E-R A SHIDAH 61 Muh a jir i n. Therefore, they thought that the Successor of the Holy Prophet sa should be from the An sa r and not from the Muh a jir i n. Contrary to this, the Muh a jir i n said that their companionship with the Holy Prophet sa was longer than that of the An sa r , thus, they could understand the religion better. People were still considering this dispute and had not yet resolved it when the group in favour of the An sa r gathered in the verandah of Bani Sa‘dah and started consulting with one another. They were inclined towards the appointment of Sa‘d bin Ubadah, leader of Khazraj and a recognized Chief, as Khalifah. During this discussion, the An sa r argued that they were the owners of the country, its lands, and its properties; therefore, it is better for Islam that the Khalifah be from them. They thought no person more competent for the post than Sa’d bin Abadah. While this discussion was taking place, some said: What if the Muh a jir i n reject this arrangement. Someone said that they would reply “ one Am i r from us and one from you ”. Sa’d, who was a wise man, called this the first weakness; saying that “ one Am i r from us and one from you ”, denotes complete ignorance about the concept of Khilafat. Such a situation would hurt Islam. When the Muh a jir i n learned of what was happening, they went there in a hurry, for they knew that if the Khalifah was not from the Muh a jir i n , the Arabs would not submit to him. No doubt, the An sa r were the majority in Medina, but all