A golden chapter

There are some eras in history that serve as a model of learning for not just one nation, but for all of humanity. One such era in Islamic history is the “Khilafah Rashidah” or “Era of the Rightly Ruled Caliphate”—which was established after the death of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) under the leadership of his closest companions. During this era, four caliphs took office one after the other: Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him), and Ali (may Allah be pleased with him). These four are called the ‘Al-Khalifa’ or ‘The Rightly Guided Caliphs’ because they embodied the ideals of the Prophet in practical politics, administration, social order, and justice.

This era spanned about 30 years (632-661 AD). Although it is not very long in terms of time, its depth and influence are immense. In this short period of time, the Islamic Caliphate grew from a small Arab state into a vast empire, stretching from Persia in the east to Egypt in the west.

After the death of the Prophet, the Companions faced a difficult reality—who would be the leader of the Muslim Ummah? Although there was disagreement among the Companions on the answer to this question, Abu Bakr (RA) was ultimately elected as the first Caliph. His Caliphate lasted only two years, but the contributions he made during this time will be written in golden letters in history. Abu Bakr (RA) took a tough stand against the false prophet Musaylama and other rebels and reestablished the influence of Islam throughout the Arabian Peninsula. He took the initiative to compile the first Quran after the martyrdom of the Hafizs sent during the Prophet's time in the Battle of Yamama, which was a historic step for the future of Islamic civilization.

Then came Hazrat Umar (RA)—the second Caliph of Islam. His reign lasted ten years (634-644 AD). It was the most extensive, well-organized and just reign of Islam. During the caliphate of Hazrat Umar (RA), the Islamic empire expanded amazingly. The Sassanid Empire of Persia and a large part of the Byzantine Empire came under the control of Islam. Cities whose names are immortal in history—such as Damascus, Kufa, Basra, Jerusalem—came under the control of Muslims during this period.

However, conquest was not the only contribution of Umar (RA); rather, his contribution to administrative reforms, judiciary, taxation, urban planning and public welfare activities is unparalleled. He was the first to introduce the “Diwan” (royal records office), the “Hijri Sal” (Islamic calendar), and the “Qazi” (court system). By implementing these policies - building roads, starting a postal system, digging water wells, building mosques, and providing allowances for the poor - he transformed the Islamic state into a developed administrative structure. After his death, not only Muslims but also non-Muslims wept, because during his rule, people of all religions received security and justice.

The caliphate of the third Caliph, Hazrat Uthman (RA), lasted 12 years (644-656 AD). During this time, the Islamic empire expanded further, and the Islamic naval power rose. Cyprus, many regions of North Africa, and many coastal cities of the Arabian Sea came under Muslim control. However, his greatest contribution was the final compilation of the Quran. To protect the Quran from various pronunciations, differences in recitation, and political confusion, he prepared a unified Mushaf and distributed it throughout the empire. As a result of this work, the Quran has been preserved as an accurate and intact book forever.

However, towards the end of Uthman's (RA) reign, some internal discontent arose. Rebellions broke out in distant provinces over some of the behavior of the governors, the kind attitude towards Uthman's (RA) relatives, and some administrative weaknesses. This rebellion turned into a terrible conspiracy and Hazrat Uthman (RA) was martyred. This incident marked the beginning of the first major division within the Muslim Ummah.

To deal with the intense grief and tension that arose in the minds of Muslims after the martyrdom of Uthman (RA), Hazrat Ali (RA) took charge of the Caliphate. He was a brave, wise and one of the wisest of the Companions. Unfortunately, during his Caliphate, the Islamic state faced internal conflicts. The vast wealth accumulated during the reigns of Umar (RA) and Uthman (RA) and the political interest of the new Muslims brought Islamic politics to a new reality. During this time, two major battles called 'Jamal' and 'Siffin' took place, where the Companions themselves were divided into two sides. These conflicts left deep scars in Islamic history and sowed the seeds of many disagreements for the future.

However, Hazrat Ali (RA) placed special emphasis on the judiciary, the spread of knowledge, and self-purification. He remained steadfast on Islamic principles even during the political crises of the Caliphate. His courage, sacrifice, and leadership are a unique chapter in Islam. He was martyred by a Kharijite rebel in 661 AD.

This 30-year history of the Rashidun Caliphate is not just about the expansion of an empire, but also a unique vision of the establishment of justice, humane governance, religious tolerance, and responsible leadership. The four Caliphs were committed to establishing peace, equality, and justice in society by following the principles of the Prophet. They did not use power for personal gain; rather, they considered it an amanah or trust from Allah.

This Rashidun era was the golden age of Islam—where rulers would stay up at night to judge, find the hungry and deliver food, free slaves, and be content with little for themselves. They have sincerely fulfilled the difficult responsibility of implementing the teachings of the Prophet in their own hands. Therefore, this era stands before us as an eternal ideal—where governance does not mean the arrogance of power, but rather it is a great trust of responsibility, piety, and accountability.