A Golden Period of Khilafat-e-Rashida
Hazrat Abu Bakr’s (ra) era of Khilafat was the shortest amongst all the Khulafa-e-Rashidin and spanned approximately two and a quarter years. Despite spanning such a short era, it is considered as one of the most significant and golden periods of Khilafat-e-Rashida. This is because Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) had to face the greatest danger and trials, and in turn, owing to God Almighty’s extraordinary help, support and blessings, within a short period of time, Hazrat Abu Bakr’s (ra) remarkable bravery, courage, sagacity and wisdom eliminated the precarious and dangerous circumstances and all the fears were transformed into peace. He crushed the unruly and rebellious people in a way that the leadership in the form of Khilafat, which appeared to be passing through a turbulent period, was established on firm foundations.
The dangerous circumstances and difficulties which Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (ra) had to face have been mentioned by Umm al-Muminin, Hazrat Aisha (ra). Whilst mentioning this, the Promised Messiah (as) states:
“It has been narrated by Hazrat Aisha (ra), ‘When my father was appointed as Khalifa and Allah granted him leadership, right from the outset of his Khilafat he observed the upsurge of disorder from every direction, the efforts of the false claimants to prophethood and the rebellion of the hypocrites and apostates. The number of calamities he had to face were such that if they were to befall upon a mountain it would cause it to immediately crush and crumble to the ground. However, he was granted patience like that of the prophets and eventually Allah the Almighty bestowed His succour and the false claimants to prophethood and apostates were killed. The disorders and dangers were put to an end, the situation was resolved and the institution of Khilafat was firmly established. Allah the Almighty saved the believers from the calamity, transformed their state of fear into peace, established for them their religion, He established the entire land upon the truth and utterly humiliated those who sought to create disorder. Allah fulfilled His promise and granted support to His servant, Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (ra) and destroyed the leaders of the rebellion and their idols. The hearts of the disbelievers were completely overawed and they ultimately repented. This indeed was the promise of Allah, Who is the All-Powerful and Most Truthful. Thus, ponder how all the characteristics and hallmarks of Khilafat were fulfilled in the person of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (ra).’”
(Sirr al-Khilafah [translated], pp. 49-50, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 8, p. 335)