The Reality of Khilafah — Page 140
SIRRUL-KHILAFAH— 140 [Letter of Ab u Bakr ra to the Arab Tribes] It would be appropriate here to quote what Ab u Bakr wrote to the Arab tribes that had apostatized so that the readers may grow in their understanding and appreciation of his steadfastness in promoting the rights that are due to Allah and in defending all that which the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, had established. In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful. From Ab u Bakr, the Khalifah of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, to whomsoever this letter of mine may reach: amongst the commoners or the gentry, those who hold fast to Islam or those who have turned away from it. Peace be upon those who follow guidance, and who after having received guidance have not returned to error and blindness. I praise You, O Allah, who alone are worthy of worship. I bear witness that there is no God but Allah. He is One and without partner. Muhammad s as is His Servant and Messenger. We acknowledge that which he brought and disbelieve in that which he rejected, and we strive against it. Verily, Allah, the Exalted, sent Muhammad s as to His creation with the Truth and as a bearer of glad tidings and as a warner, like a bright lamp calling people to Allah with His authority,