Khilafat After the Holy Prophet (sa)

Whilst mentioning the Khilafat that followed after the Holy Prophet (sa), Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) states:

“Observe how Khilafat was established after the Holy Prophet (sa), and how wonderfully so. After his demise, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) became the Khalifa. At the time, the Ansar desired for there to be a caliph from among them and one from among the Muhajirin. Having heard this, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra), Hazrat Umar (ra) and some other companions immediately made their way to where the Ansar had gathered. He said, ‘It is wrong for there to be two caliphs and that Islam would not progress through division. There will only be one caliph. If you create division there will be disorder, your honour will be lost and the Arabs will tear you apart, so do not do this.’

“Some of the Ansar began presenting some arguments to him. Hazrat Umar (ra) narrates, ‘I assumed that Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) did not possess the ability to deliver a speech, and so I should speak to the Ansar. However, when Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) addressed them he presented all the points I had in mind.’ Hazrat Umar (ra) continues, ‘In fact, he presented even more points. Seeing this, I thought to myself that today, this elderly gentleman has surpassed me.’ In the end, the grace of Allah was such that people from among the Ansar themselves stood up and proclaimed that whatever Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) had said was correct and that the Arabs would obey none other than the Meccans. One Ansari passionately said, ‘O my people, Allah the Almighty sent His Messenger (sa) to this nation. His kin drove him out of his city and we gave him a place in our homes, then as a result of this Allah Almighty granted us honour. We, of Medina, were without repute and lowly, but due to the Messenger (sa), we gained honour and repute. Hence, we should deem all of this sufficient for us and not become desirous for more, lest it harms us.’

“Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) then said, ‘It is vital to establish a Caliphate, so elect who you please as the Caliph, I myself have no desire to become the Caliph.’ Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) further said, ‘This is Abu Ubaidah (ra) bin al-Jarrah, he was granted the title of “Custodian of the Ummah” by the Holy Prophet (sa), so you may pledge your allegiance to him. There is also Umar (ra) who is an unsheathed sword of Islam, so you may pledge allegiance to him.’ Hazrat Umar (ra) said, ‘Abu Bakr (ra), that is enough, give your hand and accept our pledge of allegiance.’ Allah the Almighty instilled this courage in the heart of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) and he accepted their pledge of allegiance.”

(Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Markaziyyah ke Salanah Ijtema 1956 mein Khitabat, Anwar-ul-Ulum, Vol. 25, pp. 402-403)