The True Importance of Khilafat
Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) states:
“The Promised Messiah’s (as) advent took place in the same manner as the advent of Prophet Noah (as), Prophet Abraham (as), Prophet David (as), Prophet Solomon (as) and the other prophets. And after the Promised Messiah (as), the institution of Khilafat was established just as it was established after the prophets who appeared in the past. If we carefully ponder over this and try to delve into its true reality, we will come to realise that this is an extraordinary institution” i.e. the institution of Khilafat. “In fact, I say that even if 10,000 successive generations of an offspring were to be sacrificed for its sake, it will amount to nothing in comparison. I cannot say for others, but at least when I study the history from the time of the Holy Prophet (sa) and read about the troubles and afflictions Hazrat Uthman (ra) was made to endure, and on the other hand, the faith and the spiritual light which the Holy Prophet (sa) had instilled within him, then I say that even if 10,000 generations from my future offspring in this world were all to be gathered and sacrificed at once, so that this disorder could be quelled, then I would deem this to be akin to [the proverbial expression of] purchasing an elephant in exchange of a lice.”
In other words, this [act of sacrifice] would be even less than giving something extremely small like an insect and in exchange acquiring an elephant.
“The fact is that we only realise the true value of something much later. It was only after the martyrdom of Hazrat Uthman (ra) that people realised the true importance of Khilafat.”
(Nubuwwat aur Khilafat apne Waqt par Zuhoor Pazeer ho jati hai, Anwar-ul-Ulum, Vol. 18, p. 246)
Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) further states:
“After Hazrat Umar (ra), the gaze of all the companions fell upon Hazrat Uthman (ra) for the station of Khilafat and thus, he was appointed for this task through the consultation of the eminent companions. He was the son-in-law of the Holy Prophet (sa) and two daughters of the Holy Prophet (sa) were wedded to him one after another. When the second daughter of the Holy Prophet (sa) passed away, the Holy Prophet (sa) said that if he had another daughter, he would marry her to Hazrat Uthman (ra) as well. This shows that he held a special rank of honour in the sight of the Holy Prophet (sa). He held a very unique position in the sight of the people of Mecca and was a wealthy man according to the circumstances of Arabia at the time. After Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) accepted Islam, one of the people to whom he particularly chose to preach the message of Islam was Hazrat Uthman (ra). The view of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) with respect to Hazrat Uthman (ra) did not prove false and only after a few days of preaching, he accepted Islam. In this manner, he joined the ‘as-sabiqunal-awwalun’ or that pioneer group of Islam which the Holy Quran has praised in admirable words.
“The degree of honour and respect that he possessed in Arabia can be gauged from the incident when the Holy Prophet (sa) journeyed to Mecca on the basis of a vision, and the Meccans, blinded by their malice and enmity, refused to grant him permission to perform the Umrah, the Holy Prophet (sa) proposed that an esteemed person should be sent to the Meccans to negotiate the matter. When Hazrat Umar (ra) was selected for this, he replied, ‘O Messenger (sa) of Allah, I am prepared to go, but if there is anyone in Mecca who can negotiate with the Meccans, then it is Hazrat Uthman (ra) because he holds special regard in their eyes. Hence, if someone else was to go, there cannot be as much hope for success in him as opposed to if Hazrat Uthman (ra) went.’
“The Holy Prophet (sa) also considered this view as being correct and consequently sent Hazrat Uthman (ra) for the task. It can be understood from this incident that Hazrat Uthman (ra) was looked upon with special honour even by the disbelievers.
“The Holy Prophet (sa) held a great deal of respect for Hazrat Uthman (ra). On one occasion, the Holy Prophet (sa) was lying down when Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) arrived, but the Holy Prophet (sa) remained lying. After some time, Hazrat Umar (ra) arrived, but again, he remained lying. When Hazrat Uthman (ra) arrived, he instantly adjusted his clothes and said, ‘There is a great deal of modesty in the disposition of Hazrat Uthman (ra), and it is in consideration of his feelings that I have done this.’ He (i.e. Hazrat Uthman (ra)) was one of those rare men who had never consumed alcohol and had never approached adultery even prior to accepting Islam. In the country of Arabia, where drinking alcohol was thought to be a source of pride and adultery a daily indulgence, these were qualities [i.e. to abstain from these ills] which could not be found in more than a handful of people before Islam.
“Therefore, Hazrat Uthman (ra) was no ordinary man. He possessed very high moral qualities. With respect to worldly rank, he was exceptional. He was the foremost in Islam. The Holy Prophet (sa) was very pleased with him. Hazrat Umar (ra) has declared him as being among the six men who, up to the demise of the Holy Prophet (sa), held his utmost pleasure. Furthermore, he was from among the ‘ashrah mubashsharah’, meaning he was one of those 10 men about whom the Holy Prophet (sa) had given the glad tiding that they would enter paradise.”
(Islam Mein Ikhtilafat ka Aghaz, Anwar-ul-Ulum, Vol. 4, pp. 251-253)