Pathway to Paradise — Page 16
PATHWAY TO P ARADISE 16 1. Khalifas of Allah, who are prophets such as Hazrat Adam and Hazrat David, (2:31). 2. Prophets who are the Khalifas of another and a greater prophet such as the Israelite Prophets who all were the Khalifas of Moses. (5:45) 3. Non - Prophet Khalifas of a Prophet, with or without temporal powers, such as godly people learned in the Law. Their mission is to protect and preserve the law from being tampered with. (24:56) After the death of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him), the third type of Khilafat was established by Allah. It was known as the Khilafate Rashida (the righteous Khilafat). The mission of these Khalifas is to protect the Law, and to bring people back to the right path. The special signs and characteristics of these Khalifas are: 1. T hey are appointed Khalifas through God’s Decree in the sense that the hearts of the believers become inclined towards them and they voluntarily accept them as their Khalifas. 2. T he religion which their mission is to serve becomes firmly established through their prayers and missionary efforts; 3. T hey enjoy peace of mind amidst hardships, privations and persecution which nothing can disturb; and