NOMINATION OF THE SECOND CALIPH

ISTEKHLAF OR NOMINATION OF THE SECOND CALIPH

At the Saqifa the foundation of democracy was raised in Islam. Whatever that democracy was, couldn’t be continued with any more and nomination took its place. Therefore Hazrat Abu Bakr, in his death bed, decided to nominate Omer. He called Othman and Abd ar Rehman ibne Auf and took their advice. Abd ar Rehman said that the choice was right but Omer had an element of anger and cruelty in his nature. Othman fully supported the idea and said that it was for the betterment of the Ummat to nominate Omer as the next caliph. After this discussion Abu Bakr sent the two persons away. He again called Othman to prepare the document of nomination. When he started dictating, and only the preamble was written when Abu Bakr swooned and became unconscious. Othman knew what he was intending to dictate. Therefore during the period of the unconsciousness of the caliph Othman wrote:

“Qad astakhflat alaikum Omer ibnal Khattab “I have nominated Omer

ibnal Khattab as caliph.”

When Abu Bakr revived from his unconsciousness he asked what was written. Othman read to him what he had written down. He asked Othman whether he hurried writing down the name fearing that he might not revive and pronounce the name of his successor and that might cause unrest and differences amongst the Muslims? Othman nodded his agreement. Abu Bakr said that Allah would Bless Othman for what he did!

After this document of succession was completed, Abu Bakr called Omer and gave him the document for safe keeping.and to follow the decree recorded therein. Hazrat Omer took the document from him and asked people to pledge that they would abide by the decree of the first caliph! One person asked Omer, what was written in the document? Omer said he wasn’t aware of what was written in the document.but affirmed that the contents of the document were binding for him. The person said:

“But by Allah! I know what is written in the document. Last year you made him the caliph and now he is leaving creating you the caliph!” Ref: Kitab al Imamat wal Siasat, Vol 1, Page 33

When this news spread, some people remained quiet out of discretion and some started protesting against the nomination. Therefore a group of Mohajirs and Ansaar came to Hazrat Abu Bakr and said:

“O Deputy of the Prophet! Nominating Ibne Khattab as your succerssor you have placed a ruler over our heads! When you go to the presence of Allah, what reply will you give Him?”

Ref: Talqees al Jabeer, Page 348

Talha ibne Obaid Allah too expressed dissatisfaction on the nomination and said:

“You have imposed Omer over the people as caliph and ruler. You know fairly well that with you around how much hardship he was putting them to! Now he will have total authority to do what he wished to do! What reply will you give to Allah when He asked you questions about the people?”

Ref: Tareeq e Tabari, Vol 2, Page 621

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It has been the attitude of the democratic regimes to beat the drums about the peoples’ right to elect their representatives. But when they are elected, they keep aside the people’s rights and do what suits their own interests. Then the democracy gets restricted to one or a few persons only. The democracy of Saqifa Bani Saaeda came to such a pass. In about two years and half it got restricted to two or three persons! If the process of nomination is accepted, we shall have to acknowledge that the selection of the caliph is not determined by the opinion of the populace. Even if Abu Bakr was the people’s representative, he was not given the authority to nominate his successor unilaterally. In no democratic regime such an authority is ever given. Even if Abu Bakr expressed his choice, it was only to Abd ar Rehman ibne Auf and Othman and none else. One of them thought it futile to oppose the nomination and the other wholeheartedly supported the nomination to reap the benefits in the future! The opinion of two persons cannot be termed as the opinion of all the people. If he really wanted advice of the men of wisdom, he could have consulted Abbas ibne Abd al Mutallib about whom the Prophet (s.a.) had said that he was his uncle and his ancestors’ representative. Even Ali Ibne Abi talib (a.s.) was available who had been with the Prophet (s.a.) from the beginning of his Annunciation. They had an excuse that he wasn’t invited to come to Saqifa bani Saaeda because he was preoccupied with the last rites of the Prophet (s.a.) at that time. Butfor this nomination process Abu Bakr had why he avoided consulting Ali (a.s.) on this very important matter. It is surprising that Ali (a.s.) was consulted on all important matters like the Ghazwaat etc., and his wisdom was praised by everyone, including the new coterie, but now he was totally forgotten in this very vital decision. According to the opinion of the Prophet (s.a.), Ali (a.s.) was having the first right to be the caliph. But here he wasn’t even consulted on the matter! excuse

Anyway, those who accepted the caliphate on the flimsy democratic process concluded at the conclave of Saqifa, surrendered themselves to the rule of Omer as well. Hazrat Abu Bakr, after being on the throne for two years, three months and ten days, left this world on 22 Jamadi Thani 13 H leaving the reins of power in the hands of Hazrat Omer.