It is the unanimous and collective belief of the Muslims that Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه is the undisputed Caliph. Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله (661-728 AH) writes on this subject:
“The Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah believe that after the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم, the Caliph is Sayyiduna Abu Bakr, then Sayyiduna Umar, then Sayyiduna Uthman, and then Sayyiduna Ali. If anyone objects to the Caliphate of any of these Caliphs, then he is more foolish than the donkey of his own house.”
Imam Yahya ibn Ma’in رحمه الله (d. 233 AH) says: “In this Ummah, after the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, the best person is Abu Bakr, then Umar, then Uthman, then Ali. This is our statement and this is our creed.”
Consensus of the Noble Companions رضي الله عنهم
Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Masood رضي الله عنه narrates: “The companions of the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم reached a consensus and appointed Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه as the Caliph.”
Imam Shafi’i رحمه الله (150-204 AH) states: “The Muslims agreed that there should be only one Caliph, so they appointed Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه as the Caliph.”
Imam Abu al-Hasan al-Ash’ari رحمه الله (d. 324 AH) writes: “One of the proofs of the Imamate of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه is that all Muslims pledged allegiance to him and accepted his Imamate.”
Confirmation of the Consensus of the Ummah
Imam, Hafiz, trustworthy, traveler, Abu Muhammad Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Uthman al-Wasiti ibn al-Saqqa, Muhaddith of Wasit (d. 373 AH) says: “The Muhajireen and Ansar reached a consensus on the Caliphate of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه.”
Hafiz Abu Nu’aym al-Asbahani, may Allah have mercy on him (336-430 AH), states: “Those Rafidah who object to the consensus on the caliphate of our master Abu Bakr Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him, from the Muhajireen and Ansar, should be asked whether this pledge was made by the force of the sword? Or out of greed for wealth? Or due to pressure from any tribe? None of these reasons are possible, because the Companions were known for their sincerity in religion. If for any reason they were forced to pledge allegiance, it would have become well-known.”
Imam Hakim, may Allah have mercy on him, writes: “Authentic narrations from the Companions state that they all addressed our master Abu Bakr Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him, by saying ‘O Caliph of the Messenger of Allah!’”
Hafiz Bayhaqi, may Allah have mercy on him (384-458 AH), established a chapter titled: “The statement on the Muslims’ consensus on the pledge of allegiance to our master Abu Bakr Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him, and their obedience to his leadership.”
Explanation of the Ummah’s Consensus
Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him (661-728 AH), states: “When the Ummah happily gave the caliphate to Sayyiduna Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, without any compulsion, and Allah and His Messenger, peace be upon him, also approved of him, this is proof of the piety and knowledge of the Ummah. If this decision had been imposed by force, it could have been said that they were compelled to accept this right.”
Hafiz Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy on him (701-774 AH), writes: “Whoever reflects on these evidences will clearly see that the Muhajireen and Ansar companions had consensus on selecting Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, for the caliphate. Also, the reality of this hadith will become clear: ‘Allah and the believers do not accept anyone except Abu Bakr.’”
Hafiz Zahbi, may Allah have mercy on him (d. 748 AH), writes: “This blessed decade is the available information about the character of the Companions. These are the best among the Quraysh, the Muhajireen, the Badr Companions, and those who took the Pledge of Ridwan, and they are the leaders of this Ummah in this world and the Hereafter. May Allah destroy the Rafidis; how misguided and slaves to desires they are!”
Hafiz Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy on him, confirms the same point: “What ignorant Shi’as and stubborn preachers often say—that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, made a will regarding the caliphate of Sayyiduna Ali, may Allah be pleased with him—is a lie and slander. The Companions are the best creation after the Prophets, and this Ummah is the best Ummah according to the Holy Quran and consensus.”
Detailed Evidences of the Consensus of the Companions on the Caliphate of Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him
Evidence Number 1: Statement of Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas’ud, may Allah be pleased with him
Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Masood رضي الله عنه narrates that when the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم passed away, the Ansar companions said: “Let there be one leader from among us and one from among you.” At that moment, Sayyiduna Umar رضي الله عنه came to them and said: “Do you not know that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم appointed Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه as the leader of the people? Who among you wishes to precede Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه?” They replied: “We seek refuge in Allah from going ahead of Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه.”
The chain of this narration has been declared “Sahih” by Imam Hakim, may Allah have mercy on him, and Hafiz Zahbi, may Allah have mercy on him, has agreed with him. Furthermore, Hafiz Ibn Hajar, may Allah have mercy on him, has also called its chain “Hasan”.
Evidence Number 2: Statement of Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik, may Allah be pleased with him
Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates: “On that day, I heard Sayyiduna Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, saying to Sayyiduna Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him: ‘Climb the pulpit.’ He kept repeating this until you, may Allah be pleased with you, climbed the pulpit, and then all the people gave you their pledge of allegiance.”
Evidence Number 3: Statement of Sayyiduna Salim bin Ubaid, may Allah be pleased with him
Sayyiduna Salim bin Ubaid رضي الله عنه narrates that the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم fell unconscious during his final illness. When he regained consciousness, he asked, “Has the time for prayer come?” The Companions replied, “Yes.” Then the Noble Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said, “Order Bilal رضي الله عنه to call the Adhan and tell Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه to lead the people in prayer.”
Then the Muhajireen gathered and consulted. They said, “Take us to our Ansar brothers so that we may include them in this matter.” The Ansar said, “One leader from us and one leader from you.” Upon this, Sayyiduna Umar رضي الله عنه said, “Who deserves such honor? (إِذْ هُمَا فِي الْغَارِ إِذْ يَقُولُ لِصَاحِبِهِ لَا تَحْزَنْ إِنَّ اللّٰهَ مَعَنَا) (At-Tawbah: 40) That is, when they both were in the cave, when he was telling his companion, ‘Do not grieve; indeed Allah is with us.’ Who are these two?” Then Sayyiduna Umar رضي الله عنه extended his hand and pledged allegiance to Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه, and all the people gave a good and complete pledge of allegiance.
Imam Ibn Khuzaymah رحمه الله declared this hadith “Sahih” (authentic) (1541, 1624). Hafiz Haithami رحمه الله states: “Its narrators are trustworthy.”
Busiri says: “This chain is authentic, and its narrators are trustworthy.”
❀ Objection Number 1: Not pledging allegiance to Saad bin Ubadah رضي الله عنه
Saad bin Ubadah رضي الله عنه did not pledge allegiance to Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه.
Answer: The chain of narration of this hadith is weak due to Zahri’s tadlees (concealment). It should be noted that this hadith is outside the scope of Sahih Bukhari, because there is consensus only on the authenticity of the connected Marfu’ ahadith in Sahih Bukhari, whereas this hadith is Mauquf. Where Zahri رحمه الله has specified his hearing (sama’), this incident is not present.
❀ Objection Number 2: The matter of Sayyiduna Ali رضي الله عنه‘s allegiance
Sayyiduna Ali رضي الله عنه pledged allegiance to Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه after six months.
It is mentioned in Musnad Abi Bakr al-Marwazi (39) and Sunan al-Kubra by al-Bayhaqi (6/300):
A man asked Zahri, may Allah have mercy on him, why Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, did not give allegiance for six months? Zahri replied that none from Banu Hashim had given allegiance until Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, gave allegiance.
Answer: Hafiz Bayhaqi, may Allah have mercy on him, writes in response to this objection:
“The statement that Sayyiduna Ali رضي الله عنه gave allegiance to Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه six months later is not the saying of Sayyida Aisha رضي الله عنها, but rather the saying of Zahri رحمه الله. Some narrators have included it in the story narrated by Sayyida Aisha رضي الله عنها, but Muammar bin Rashid remembered it and declared it in detail as the saying of Zahri, which is disconnected from the hadith. We have received a hadith narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Saeed Khudri رضي الله عنه, in which he stated that Sayyiduna Ali رضي الله عنه participated in the general allegiance (bay’ah) that took place at Saqifah. It is also possible that Sayyiduna Ali رضي الله عنه gave the general allegiance later.”
Argument Number 4: Statement of Sayyiduna Abu Saeed Khudri رضي الله عنه
Sayyiduna Abu Saeed Khudri رضي الله عنه narrates that when the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم passed away, the orators of the Ansar stood up. One of them said, “O group of Muhajireen! Whenever the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم appointed an agent from among the Muhajireen, he would also include someone from our people. We think that in this matter (of the caliphate), there should be two leaders, one from you and one from us.” The orators of the Ansar kept repeating this until Sayyiduna Zaid bin Thabit رضي الله عنه stood up and said, “The Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم was from the Muhajireen, and the Imam should also be from the Muhajireen, and we will be their helpers, just as we were helpers of the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم.”
Then Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه stood up and said, “May Allah reward you well! O group of Ansar! May Allah keep your supporter steadfast.” Then he said, “If you had done any other deed besides this, we would not have made peace with you.” After that, Zaid bin Thabit رضي الله عنه took the hand of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه and said, “This is your Caliph, pledge allegiance to him.” Thus, everyone pledged allegiance.
Then when Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه sat on the pulpit and looked at the faces of the people, he did not find Sayyiduna Ali رضي الله عنه. He inquired about him, and some Ansar brought him. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه said, “O cousin of the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم and your son-in-law! Do you want to break the unity of the Muslims?” Sayyiduna Ali رضي الله عنه replied, “O Caliph of the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم! You are not to be blamed.” Then he also pledged allegiance.
After that, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه did not find Sayyiduna Zubair bin Awwam رضي الله عنه, so he inquired about him. People brought him as well. He رضي الله عنه said, “O cousin of the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم and your companion! Do you want to break the unity of the Muslims?” He also replied in the same manner, “O Caliph of the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم! You are not to be blamed.” Then he also gave the pledge of allegiance.
Verification and Authentication
Imam Ibn Khuzaymah رحمه الله says: “Imam Muslim bin Hajjaj came to me and asked about this hadith. I wrote this hadith on a slip and read it to him, and he said, ‘This hadith is worth a camel.’ I said, ‘Worth a camel? Rather, it is worth a bag of gold coins.'”
Hafiz Hakim, may Allah have mercy on him, has declared it “Sahih” (authentic) according to the conditions of Bukhari and Muslim, and Hafiz Zahbi, may Allah have mercy on him, has declared its chain of narration “Sahih.”
Hafiz Haithami, may Allah have mercy on him, says: “This hadith has been narrated by Imam Tabrani and Imam Ahmad, and its narrators are authentic narrators of Sahih Bukhari.”
Hafiz Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy on him, says: “This narration from Abu Nadhrah Mundhir bin Malik bin Qatta from Abu Saeed Saad bin Malik bin Sinan Al-Khudri is authentic and reliable. An important benefit of this is that Sayyiduna Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, gave allegiance on the first or second day after the death of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him. This is correct because Sayyiduna Ali bin Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him, never left Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him, at any occasion and continued to pray behind him.”
Evidence Number 5: Statement of Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik, may Allah be pleased with him
Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik رضي الله عنه narrates:
“When Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه was pledged allegiance at Saqifah, the next day Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه sat on the pulpit. On this occasion, Sayyiduna Umar رضي الله عنه stood up and spoke before Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه. He praised and glorified Allah and then said, ‘Indeed, Allah has gathered your matter upon the best person among you and the companion of the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم who was second in the cave. Therefore, stand up and pledge allegiance to him.’ The people gave their general pledge of allegiance to Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه after the Saqifah pledge.”
Argument Number 6: Statement of Sayyid bin Ibrahim
Syed bin Ibrahim narrates that his father said that his grandfather Abdul Rahman bin Awf رضي الله عنه was with Umar رضي الله عنه, and Muhammad bin Maslama رضي الله عنه broke the sword of Sayyiduna Zubair bin Awwam رضي الله عنه. After this, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه gave a sermon and apologized to the people. He said:
“I have never been eager for leadership for even a day or a night, nor have I demanded it secretly or openly.”
The Muhajireen accepted the words of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه, and Sayyiduna Ali رضي الله عنه and Sayyiduna Zubair رضي الله عنه said:
“We were only angry because we were excluded from consultation, but in our opinion, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه is more deserving of the caliphate than us. We know your honor and dignity, and the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم had already commanded people to follow your prayers during his lifetime.”
Hafiz Ibn Kathir رحمه الله has classified its chain as “Strong”.
Argument Number 7: The narration of the author Ibn Abi Shaybah
Imam Ibn Abi Shaybah narrates that Zaid bin Aslam reported from his father Aslam:
“After the death of the Messenger of Allah and the pledge of allegiance was given to Sayyiduna Abu Bakr , Sayyiduna Ali and Sayyiduna Zubair used to go to Sayyida Fatimah for consultation and then return to their affairs. When this matter reached Sayyiduna Umar , he came until he reached Sayyida Fatimah and said, ‘O daughter of the Messenger of Allah ! By Allah! Among the creation, there is no one more beloved to us than your father, and after your father, there is no one more beloved to us than you. By Allah! If these people gather at your place again, I will set this house on fire upon them.’
When Umar left, those people came to Sayyida Fatimah and said, ‘You know that Umar came to me and swore by Allah that if you come again, he will set the house on fire upon you. By Allah! He will fulfill the oath he took, so return in a good manner, reconsider your opinion, and do not come to me again.’ Thus, they returned and gave allegiance to Sayyiduna Abu Bakr and came back.”
Analysis
This narration clearly states that Sayyidina Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) and Sayyidina Zubair ibn Awwam (may Allah be pleased with him) pledged allegiance to Sayyidina Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) as Caliph. Sayyidina Umar’s (may Allah be pleased with him) action was ijtihadi (based on personal reasoning) and emotional. His only aim was to ensure that the gathering of those people would not cause any potential discord, to which Sayyida Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her) did not show any reaction. It cannot be concluded from this that Sayyidina Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) harbored enmity towards Ahl al-Bayt or wanted to burn their house, because Sayyidina Umar himself said that after the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), the Ahl al-Bayt are the most beloved to us.
Evidence from the Holy Quran
Allah Almighty says:
(وَعَدَ اللّٰہُ الَّذِیْنَ آمَنُوْا مِنْکُمْ وَعَمِلُوْا الصّٰلِحٰتِ لَیَسْتَخْلِفَنَّہُم فِیْ الْاَرْضِ کَمَا اسْتَخْلَفَ الَّذِیْنَ مِنْ قَبْلِہِمْ وَلَیُمَکِّنَنَّ لَہُمْ دِیْنَہُمُ الَّذِیْ ارْتَضَی لَہُمْ وَلَیُبَدِّلَنَّہُمْ مِنْ بَعْدِ خَوْفِہِمْ اَمْنًا یَّعْبُدُوْنَنِی لَا یُشْرِکُوْنَ بِیْ شَیْئًا۔۔۔)
“Allah Almighty has promised those among you who believe and do righteous deeds that He will surely grant them succession in the land, just as He granted it to those before them, and He will surely establish for them their religion which He has chosen for them, and He will surely give them security after their fear. They will worship Me and not associate anything with Me.”
Opinions of the Exegetes
Imam Abdul Rahman bin Abdul Hamid Al-Mahri, may Allah have mercy on him (d. 192 AH), in his interpretation of this verse says:
“I see the caliphate of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr and Sayyiduna Umar, may Allah be pleased with them, in the Holy Quran. Allah Almighty says: (وَعَدَ اللّٰہُ الَّذِیْنَ آمَنُوْا مِنْکُمْ وَعَمِلُوْا الصّٰلِحٰتِ لَیَسْتَخْلِفَنَّہُم فِیْ الْاَرْضِ۔۔۔)”
Imam Ajuri, may Allah have mercy on him (d. 360 AH), writes:
“May Allah have mercy on us and you! Know that the caliphate of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr, Sayyiduna Umar, Sayyiduna Uthman, and Sayyiduna Ali, may Allah be pleased with them, is mentioned in the Book of Allah, the Sunnah of the Prophet, the sayings of the Companions, and the sayings of the Followers. No Muslim, whom Allah has given intellect, can doubt this. The Quranic proof is this command of the Almighty Allah:
(وَعَدَ اللّٰہُ الَّذِیْنَ آمَنُوْا مِنْکُمْ وَعَمِلُوْا الصّٰلِحٰتِ…)
.
By Allah! Allah fulfilled His promise and granted them the caliphate and governance after the Noble Messenger, peace be upon him. They achieved conquests, obtained spoils, fought against disbelievers, fought against apostates until they eliminated them. Likewise, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him, waged jihad against the apostates, which is right until the Day of Judgment.”
Imam Bayhaqi, may Allah have mercy on him (d. 458 AH), says:
The Holy Quran contains evidence for the leadership of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه and the subsequent Rightly Guided Caliphs. Allah Almighty says:
(وَعَدَ اللّٰہُ الَّذِیْنَ آمَنُوْا مِنْکُمْ وَعَمِلُوْا الصّٰلِحٰتِ…)
(Allah has promised those of you who believe and do righteous deeds that He will surely grant them succession [to authority] upon the earth just as He granted it to those before them).
Hadith Safinah
Narration: Imam Abu Dawood Al-Tayalisi رحمه الله states:
Hasharj bin Nabatah narrated from Safeenah, may Allah be pleased with him, on the authority of Saeed bin Jahmaan that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, gave us a sermon and said:
“My Ummah will have the Caliphate for thirty years, then there will be kingship.”
Safeenah said: “Then count, our master Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, and our master Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, ruled for twelve years and six months, our master Uthman, may Allah be pleased with him, ruled for twelve years, then our master Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, completed the thirty years.”
(Saeed bin Jahmaan says) I asked, “Then what about our master Muawiyah, may Allah be pleased with him?” He said, “He was the first king.”
Authentication of the Hadith
Following of Hasharj bin Nabatah: In Sunan Abi Dawood (4246), Abdulwarith bin Saeed al-Basri (trustworthy, reliable) narrated it, and in Musnad Ahmad (5/220-221), Hammad bin Salamah (trustworthy, reliable) narrated it, and also in Sunan Abi Dawood (4647), Al-Awwam bin Hawshab al-Wasiti narrated this hadith.
Authentication of Saeed bin Jahman: The majority of hadith scholars have declared Saeed bin Jahman trustworthy:
➊ Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal
➋ Imam Yahya bin Ma’in
➌ Imam Ibn Adi
➍ Imam Ya’qub bin Sufyan
➎ Imam Tirmidhi
➏ Imam Ibn Abi Asim
➐ Imam Ibn al-Jarud
➑ Imam Ibn Hibban
➒ Imam Hakim
➓ Hafiz Haithami
No scholar has declared him weak: No trustworthy hadith scholar has declared Saeed bin Jahman weak, and on the contrary, the statements of Imam Bukhari
and Hafiz Saji
that “he does not consistently narrate his hadith” is not harmful because Saeed bin Jahman’s authentication is established. Hafiz Dhahabi, may Allah have mercy on him, mentioned him in his book “Man Takallama Fihi wa Huwa Muwathaq aw Salih al-Hadith.”
Further references in the authentication of the hadith
Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal
, Imam Ibn Hibban
, Imam Ibn Abi Asim
, and Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah
have authenticated this hadith. Imam Hakim, may Allah have mercy on him,
and Al-Busiri
have declared the chain of this hadith as “Sahih” (authentic).
Imam Tirmidhi, may Allah have mercy on him,
and Hafiz Ibn Hajar, may Allah have mercy on him,
have classified this hadith as “Hasan” (good), and Hafiz Ibn Hajar further stated: “Saeed ibn Jahman was a young Tabi’i and a truthful narrator.”
The Argument of the Muhaddithin from Hadith Safinah
The Ahl al-Sunnah Imam, Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, may Allah have mercy on him, is described by Maimuni as:
“I heard from Imam Ahmad, he was asked about his opinion regarding the Caliphate. He said, ‘Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Ali, may Allah be pleased with them, were the Caliphs.’ It was said, ‘So you refer to the Hadith of Safinah?’ He said, ‘I refer to the Hadith of Safinah as well as to another matter, which is that I saw Sayyiduna Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, was not called Amir al-Mu’minin during the times of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr, Umar, and Uthman, nor did he establish congregational prayers and Hudood, but after the martyrdom of Sayyiduna Uthman, he did these things. It became clear that at that time those duties became obligatory for him which were not obligatory before.'”
He further said: “Regarding the Caliphate, we refer to the Hadith of Safinah.”
Imam Abu al-Hasan al-Ash’ari, may Allah have mercy on him, said:
“This Hadith indicates the Caliphate of the Four Imams.”
Similarly, Imam Ibn Hibban
, Imam Ibn Jarir al-Tabari
, Imam al-Ajuri
, and Imam Bayhaqi
also affirm the Caliphs of the Four rightly guided from this hadith.
Summary
The narration of Hadith al-Safina, its trustworthy narrators, and the authentication by the muhaddithin provide strong evidence that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, established the caliphate in his Ummah for a period of thirty years, which included the eras of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali, may Allah be pleased with them. Afterwards, this caliphate system transformed into monarchy. The muhaddithin and imams have presented this hadith as a strong proof in favor of the legitimate status of the caliphate, thereby establishing the rightful claim of the rightly guided caliphs.
