Refuting Shia Beliefs Regarding the first Three Khulafa (ra)

Then, whilst refuting an aspect of Shia beliefs, the Promised Messiah (as) says:

“Those Shias who believe that Abu Bakr Siddiq (ra) and Umar Farooq (ra) usurped the rights of Ali Murtaza (ra) and Fatima al-Zahra (ra) and were cruel to them have abandoned justice, adopted cruelty and followed the path of the transgressors. Surely, these people were such that abandoned their beloved homeland, friends and wealth for the sake of their Prophet, and they endured hardships at the hands of the disbelievers and were expelled from their homes by mischief mongers, but they remained patient like good and virtuous people.

“Then, they were later made Caliphs, but they did not fill their homes with riches, nor were their sons and daughter’s heirs to gold and silver. Instead, they gave whatever they received to the treasury. They did not make their sons their successors, just as worldly and misguided people do. They lived this life in poverty and destitution rather than being inclined towards worldly comforts like other leaders.

“Can it even be considered that such people would be capable of stealing the wealth of others, or were inclined towards usurping rights, looting or destruction? Was this the impact of having remained in the blessed company of the Chief of this world, the Holy Prophet (sa)? On the contrary, Allah the Almighty, the Lord of All the Worlds has praised them.

“The reality is that Allah purified their souls and cleansed their hearts. He enlightened their beings and made them an example for future pious people. We cannot find any weakness or superficial thought which would lead to any indication of deviation in their intentions or point towards any sort of evil in them, unless, someone is intent on attributing injustice and cruelty to them.

“By God, they were just people. Even if they were given a valley full of unlawful wealth, they would not so much as spit on it, nor would they turn towards it like greedy people, no matter if the gold was as high as mountains or enough to fill the earth seven times over. If they came across lawful wealth, they would surely spend it in the way of the All-Powerful God and religious endeavours. Thus, how can we even fathom that they would upset Fatima al-Zahra (ra) over a few trees and cause harm to the dear child of the Holy Prophet (sa) like the mischievous ones; rather, they were noble and righteous in their intentions and were firmly established upon the truth, and Allah showered His mercy upon them, and Allah knows the righteous full-well.”

(Sirrul Khilafah, Urdu translation, pp. 37-39)

The Promised Messiah (as) further states:

“The truth is that Abu Bakr Siddiq (ra) and Umar Farooq (ra) were both from among the eminent companions. They both never showed any weakness in fulfilling the rights they owed. Righteousness was their way of life and establishing justice was their objective. They would carefully ponder over the matters and delve deep into its intricacies. Fulfilling worldly desires was never their objective. They devoted themselves in obedience to Allah. I have never seen anyone partake of such immense blessings and support the religion of the Holy Prophet (sa) than the Sheikhain, i.e. Abu Bakr and Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both. In their subservience to the spiritual Sun for the whole of mankind, [i.e. Muhammad] peace be upon him, they were even more swift than the moon. They were wholly devoted in their love for him and in order to establish the truth, they happily endured every hardship. For the sake of the Holy Prophet (sa), like whom there is no other, they willingly and gladly endured every humiliation.

“At the time of battle against the army of disbelievers, they stood courageously like lions to the point that Islam triumphed and the enemy ranks suffered defeat. Shirk was abolished and totally eradicated and the spiritual sun of the nation and faith began to illuminate forth. They both rendered such exemplary service to their faith and afforded the Muslims with such excellence and favours that their final resting place was in the company of the most excellent of Prophets (sa). This was owing to the grace of Allah the Almighty, from Whom no righteous person is hidden and indeed all grace belongs to Allah and He grants it to whomsoever He pleases.

“One who develops a bond with God Almighty with utmost devotion is never made to face ruin, even if the entire world were to oppose him. Those who seek to establish a bond with Allah never experience hardship or loss and Allah does not abandon His truthful servants. Allah is the Greatest! How great was the sincerity and devotion of these two men” i.e. Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra)and Hazrat Umar (ra).

“Both were buried in such a blessed grave that if Moses (as) and Jesus (as) were alive today, they would express their earnest desire to be buried there. However, such a rank is never bestowed owing to one’s heartfelt longing or desire; rather, this is an eternal mercy bestowed from the Lord of Honour. And this mercy is only granted to those who are granted His Divine favours from the very beginning. These are the people who at the very end are shrouded in the cloth of divine grace.”

(Sirrul Khilafah, Urdu translation, pp. 77-79)

The Promised Messiah (as) then states:

“Whatever became of Islam after the Holy Prophet (sa) was due to the three companions. Whatever Hazrat Umar (ra) accomplished – which was a great deal – it cannot overshadow what Siddiq Akbar [Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra)] accomplished, for it was Siddiq Akbar (ra) who laid the path to success and who dispelled a great dissension. The trials that Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) had to face in his time were never faced by Hazrat Umar (ra). Hence, [Abu Bakr] Siddiq (ra) cleared the path, upon which Hazrat Umar (ra) then opened the doors to further success.”

(Malfuzat, Vol. 6, pp. 414-415)