The Four Rightly Guided Caliphs of Islam

A caliphate in Arabic “Khilafa” is the state which is ruled by an Islamic leader who is known as caliph (Khalifah). A caliph is a person who is considered as the religious successor of the last Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and rules the entire Muslim community. A caliph’s job was to provide Muslims with the most desired leadership according to the commandments of Allah Almighty and Prophet Muhammad (SAW).  Those Caliphs who truly followed in the Prophet’s (PBUH) footsteps are called “The Rightly Guided Caliphs” in Arabic Al-Khulafa-ur Rashidun. The first four Caliphs are Hazrat Abu Bakar (RA), Hazrat Umar (RA), Hazrat Uthman (RA) and Hazrat Ali (RA). The first four caliphs were among the earliest and closest Companions of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). They lived simple and righteous lives and strove hard for the religion of Allah (SWT). Their justice was impartial, their treatment of others was kind and merciful, and they were one with the people – the first among equals.

About four rightly guided caliphs of Islam we will discuss one by one in detail.

Hazrat Abu Bakar (RA)

Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was died in the city of Medina, after the death of Muhammad (SAW) the leader of Muslim’s community the first caliph was elected from Medina too. The first caliph elected by Muslim community was Hazrat Abu Bakar (RA), the best friend and father in law of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).  Hazrat Abu Bakar (RA) was born in 573 A.D and almost 2 years younger than our beloved Prophet (PBUH). He (RA) was the closest companion of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) and shared great personality characteristics of truthfulness, honesty, and integrity with Him. Holy Prophet (PBUH) said about Hazrat Abu Bakar (RA):  “O Abu Bakr! You will be my companion on the pond of Heaven as you were also my companion in the cave.” (Tirmidhi

He (RA) was the first man who accepted Islam and earned the title Al-Siddiq which means the true believing person due to his unflattering faith in Prophet Muhammad (SAW). He (RA) was very generous, kind hearted, merciful, loving, honest and truthful. Hazrat Abu Bakar (RA) was the good representative of Islamic ethics. Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) established the authority of the state by gathering the Muslims among whom conflicts occurred. He (RA) made great efforts regarding the compilation and protection of the Holy Quran. He (RA) became a means of spreading Islam outside the Arabian Peninsula, in Syria, Palestine, and Iraq, for the first time. He (RA) enabled the Quran and Islamic ethics to be practiced just like in the period of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

Hazrat Abu Bakar (RA) was always loved and respected by the public due to his noble characteristics. He had a character that did not welcome people’s arrogant attitudes and that helped the poor and the needy. He (RA) saved many Muslim slaves by paying significant amounts of money to the masters of the slaves in order to set them free. His caliphate period was short that ended after 2 years when He (RA) was died in 634 A.D and buried next to the Prophet (PBUH).

 Hazrat Umar (RA)

Hazrat Umar (RA) was the second caliph of Islam who born in 580 A.D almost 10 years younger than Holy Prophet (SAW). He (RA) was among a few educated people of Makah at that time. In his youth, He (RA) was physically strong and was considered to be as a proven wrestler. He (RA) accepted Islam when he was actually going to kill (God forbid) Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) but after listening to the recitation of Quranic Verses in the house of his sister, he acknowledged the Ayahs as true and embraced Islam at the hands of Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Due to his extraordinary ability of fairness, the Apostle of Allah (PBUH) gave him the title of Al-Farooq (the one who distinguishes between right and wrong).

Hazrat Umar (RA) led a simple life with truthfulness and honesty. During his caliphate, He (RA) conquer many nations, opened Jerusalem, and paved roads for Muslims in Medina. The major contributions Hazrat Umar Farooq (RA) include implementation of peace and justice in Muslim society, the formation of Baitul Maal for maintenance and provision of finances, and he was also known to start the Islamic calendar during his rule. He remained caliph for 10 years died in 644 A.D. Hazrat Umar (RA) was also buried alongside Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as it was his wish.

Hazrat Uthman (RA)

When Hazrat Umar (RA) fell under the assassin’s dagger, before He (RA) died people asked him to nominate his successor then He (RA) appointed a committee consisting of six of the ten companions of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). In this committee Hazrat Ali (RA), Hazrat Uthman (RA), Abdul Rahman, Sa’ad, Al-Zubayr, and Talha were present and among these, the next caliph has to be selected. After the discussion, Hazrat Uthman was appointed as the third caliph of Islam. Hazrat Uthman (RA) was born in 573 A.D almost 2 years younger than Prophet (PBUH). He (RA) was among a few knowledgeable people in the entire Makah at that time.

Hazrat Uthman (RA) immediately accepted Islam when his close friend Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) told him about it. He (RA) had the great honor of marrying the two righteous Daughters of the Holy Prophet (SAW), which earned him the title of Dhun Nurain (Bearer of two Lights). He (RA) was a wealthy man and he spent most of it in the true service of Islam like buying a well from Jew in Medina and making it free for use for all Muslims and acquiring a portion of land in order to enlarge the capacity of Masjid e Nabavi.

One of the greatest services of Hazrat Uthman (RA) to the religion of Islam was the reproduction of the Quran. During his period, a committee was established and the only copy of the Quran was reproduced because some people pronounced the verses of the Quran differently due to the difference of dialects. One copy was kept in Medina and the other copies were sent to the other provinces like Makah, Damascus, Kufa, Basra, and Egypt; thus, the original of the Quran reached today. He tried to improve vineyards and orchards during his caliphate period. Many people living in the Islamic land accepted Islam in his period. A remarkable development of this period is that the Muslims became rich and started to lead a better life.

His caliphate period lasts in 656 A.D when he martyred at the hands of rebellious. He (RA) was buried in Jannatul Baqi a graveyard in Medina.

Hazrat Ali (RA)

Hazrat Ali (RA) is the first cousin of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) who was born in 600 A.D and first in young ones who accepted Islam. Hazrat Ali (RA) was also the son in law of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), husband of Hazrat Fatima (RA) the beloved daughter of Prophet (PBUH). He (RA) is known for his bravery as He (RA) was a great soldier of Islam. Hazrat Ali (RA) earned the title of Asadullah (The Lion of Allah) due to his great valor. He (RA) lived a very simple life with gratefulness to the Gracious Lord. He (RA) was also known for his humility and otherworldliness. He was known to wear clothes of simplicity. Hazrat Ali (RA) was made Caliph after the assassination of Hazrat Uthman (RA).

Being the fourth caliph of Islam, Hazrat Ali (RA) tried his best to unite Muslims and make peace, but the resistance from hypocrites had become very strong. He (RA) fought them and destroyed most of the rebellion movements, defeating Umayyad in the battle of Nahrawan and introduction of reforms in taxes. Hazrat Ali (RA) remained caliph for five years. When he was 63 years of age, Hazrat Ali (RA) was martyred with a poisoned sword by one of the rebels while he was going to perform Fajar Salah in the mosque on 20th of Ramadan, 40 A.H (661 A.D).