The four Companions who ruled after the Prophet's ﷺ death.
All their affairs – personal, family, religious, social, political, economic, educational and cultural – sought Allah's pleasure, and were honest and unselfish, following the guidance of Allah and His Messenger.
So the Prophet ﷺforetold that they would be "the rightly guided caliphs".
Order
Caliph
1
Abu Bakr (RA)
2
'Umar (RA)
3
'Uthman (RA)
4
'Ali (RA)
2. Abu Bakr (RA) – a short life history
Point
Fact
Own name
'Abdullah ibn Abi Quhafah
Born
573 CE, Makkah
In the Jahiliyyah
An excellent trader; a respected leader in society
Relationship with the Prophet
Friends even before the Prophet was chosen as a prophet
Accepting Islam
When the Prophet ﷺ told him, he accepted without any hesitation; the first of the men to accept Islam
Caliphate
Took office in 11 AH; ruled for two years and three months
Death
13 AH, at the age of 63
Events that show his excellence
(1) The disagreement with 'Umar (RA)
A small disagreement arose between Abu Bakr and 'Umar (RA); the Prophet's ﷺ face turned red with anger.
Abu Bakr (RA), afraid, said: "O Prophet, I was the one who wronged him."
The Prophet ﷺ said to those present (twice) (meaning): "When Allah sent me as a messenger, you all said I was lying; but Abu Bakr confirmed my truth, and gave his life and all his wealth for me. Will you set apart from me such a friend of mine?"
Abu ad-Darda' (RA): after this, no one ever treated him in a way that hurt him.
(2) Da'wah on the very first day of accepting Islam
On the day he accepted Islam he brought some leading people of Makkah to the Prophet and they accepted Islam:
'Uthman, Talhah, az-Zubayr, Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas, 'Abd ar-Rahman ibn 'Awf (RA).
(3) The title "as-Siddiq"
When he heard the news that the Prophet ﷺ had gone on the Mi'raj, he confirmed it without the slightest hesitation.
That is why he was given the title "as-Siddiq" (the one who confirmed the truth).
3. His personal qualities
Situation
Quality shown
He stood by the Prophet during the hijrah; gave brave support in a time of crisis
Courage, loyalty
When the Companions were shaken by the news of the Prophet's ﷺ death, he acted very calmly, comforted the people and brought things back to normal
Calmness, leadership
In the difficult early days of the caliphate he protected Islam and the Islamic state through firm and wise decisions
Firmness, wisdom
From the time he accepted Islam until his death, he devoted his whole life to it.
4. How he was chosen as caliph
No caliph was chosen or appointed while the Prophet ﷺ was alive.
On the day the Prophet ﷺ died, the Ansar gathered at "Saqifat Bani Sa'idah" to discuss choosing a leader.
Some Companions who heard of this went there and joined them.
There Abu Bakr (RA) was accepted as caliph, and those gathered gave him bay'ah (pledge of allegiance).
Evidence that he was the most qualified
Evidence (meaning)
Source
In his last days, when illness kept the Prophet ﷺ from even standing, although many Companions including 'Umar (RA) were present, he told Abu Bakr (RA) to lead the prayer
—
On the last day, when the Prophet came to the prayer supported on the shoulders of 'Abbas (RA) and 'Ali (RA), Abu Bakr (RA), who was leading the prayer, tried to step back into the row; the Prophet ﷺstopped him, sat down and prayed following him
Bukhari
"Take Abu Bakr and 'Umar, who will come after me one after the other, as your guides"
Tirmidhi
A woman asked: "What if I come and do not find you (you have died)?" – the Prophet ﷺ: "If you do not find me, go to Abu Bakr"
Bukhari
5. His services and contributions (7)
Taking charge of the caliphate after the Prophet's ﷺ death and continuing good government.
Defeating the challenge of the false prophets with the help of experienced commanders, proving the strength of the caliphate.
Defeating the plot of those who refused to pay zakat.
Compiling the Quran into a single book.
Appointing many governors with political experience and stabilising the administration.
Defeating the threats to the Islamic world from rulers on the frontiers.
Appointing the most suitable person as caliph to rule after him.
He stabilised the Islamic state within two years.
6. Key Arabic terms
Arabic
Meaning
السيرة والتاريخ
Sirah and history
الخلفاء الراشدون
The rightly guided caliphs
سقيفة بني ساعدة
Saqifat Bani Sa'idah – the hall where the Ansar gathered
الخلافة
The caliphate – the leadership of the Islamic state
الخليفة
The caliph – successor / head of state
الصديق
As-Siddiq – the one who confirmed the truth
Quick revision
Al-Khulafa' ar-Rashidun = Abu Bakr, 'Umar, 'Uthman, 'Ali (RA); the command to hold to their Sunnah (Ahmad).
'Abdullah ibn Abi Quhafah; 573 CE Makkah; trader; the first man to accept Islam.
On the first day: 'Uthman, Talhah, az-Zubayr, Sa'd, 'Abd ar-Rahman (RA) entered Islam.
"As-Siddiq" for confirming the Mi'raj.
Bay'ah at Saqifat Bani Sa'idah; 11 AH; 2 years 3 months; died 13 AH aged 63.
Evidence of qualification: leading the prayer in the Prophet's place (Bukhari); follow Abu Bakr and 'Umar (Tirmidhi); "If you do not find me, go to Abu Bakr" (Bukhari).
7 contributions: good government, false prophets, zakat-refusers, compiling the Quran, governors, frontier security, appointing the next caliph.
