Part 1

Biographies of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs

Cd adel | yal) sited | & jemtesad okt teat) Salad - ptt Gil

Prepared from the works of Ibn Katheer, At— Tabari, As-Syooti, and other historians.

Prepared and Translated by: Tamir Abu As-Su‘ood Muhammad Noha Kamal Ed-Din Abu Al-Yazid

Revised and Edited by:

M. Ibrahim Kamara Joanne McEwan

Dar Al-Manarah For Translation, Publishing & Distribution

First edition: Safar 1422 - May 2001

For Translation, Publishing & Distribution - El-Mansoura - Egypt

ByLall to Lom silly cazgilly Hal) FOVITA : .G2 — By gail — nae FYeO0} so ee Year PALYOt ru SVN SOEE > Sgaone

Dar Al Kotob Library Number:

Dar Al-Manarah for Translation, Publishing & Distribution is pleased to present the first edition of the Biography of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs. In answer to the deluge of mail we have received, all requesting a book on the life stories of the righteous caliphs who exerted all efforts in defending Islam and conveying it message to all corners of the earth, we undertook this task in an attempt to offer our readers a comprehensive coverage of the biographies of venerable caliphs.

We are so grateful to our team for their relentless, though certainly much appreciated, effort clearly manifested all through the book.

Loe Sac ooqoccoosoconconocosnicnconconconnconcooSodecoCoocacc reoseooaccnonencnacnd21

Campaigns against the Apostates Campaign against Tulayhah

Sajaah, the False Prophetess....

*Uthmaan Ibn * Affaan:

“Ali Ibn Abi Taalib

A Brief Sketch of *Ali's Private Life, Islamic egal Rulings

“Umar Ibn ~* Abel-* Azeez:

As_ the world has lately crossed the threshold of the twenty first century, humanity sinks deeper in a sea of lawlessness, depravity and greed. The Muslim world is unfortunately no exception to the general rule. Hence emerges the need for a source of glowing sunshine at a time when Muslims turned their backs on a history they ought to take pride in. This is precisely what The Four Righteous Caliphs humbly aspires to be. For years on end, Muslims have abandoned their matchless source of power and dignity. It is only natural, therefore, that they were sadly brought to their knees at the hands of their meanest enemies. Present day Muslims are no longer the same people whom Allah speaks of saying:

"Thus have We made of you an Ummah justly balanced, that ye might be witnesses over the nations." (Al Bagarah: 143)

WO s'sly Seal oF OG Gripe Os'Ab nti Os Saal oe Aes CVV edt yee Ty

"Ye are the best of Peoples, evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in Allah." (Ali “Imraan: 110)

The real value of this book which elaborately deals with the life stories of the four Rightly-Guided Caliphs, in addition to that of ‘Umar Ibn * Abdel- * Azeez, is indeed considerable. The significance of contemplating their life histories is in fact three fold. Firstly, all five caliphs lived at a particularly critical juncture in the history of Islam. The revelation of Islam was in every sense a serious event that shook the entire of the Arab

Peninsula. Prophet Muhammad, peace and _ blessings be upon him, took the helm of an initially meager group of followers that continued to grow and spread by the day till the banner of Islam eventually managed to flutter despite its grudging enemies.

Nonetheless, the death of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, was indeed a heavy blow that the yet blooming Muslim nation strove to survive. Realizing the enormity of their loss, Muslims shuddered, shed bitter tears and were muddled and confused. At that point, Islam was definitely at stake. Many of those who falsely claimed to have embraced Islam were quick to revert to their blind ignorance and despicable life of vice and orderlessness. Driven by rare intrepidity and dauntlessness, Abu Bakr As-Sideeq, may Allah be pleased with him, firmly took charge of the situation fiercely battling whoever even so much as toyed with the idea of slipping back into atheism. Since drastic maladies call for drastic remedies, Abu Bakr was just the man for the job, with a heart filled with true faith, unblemished by the slightest trace of fear or hesitation. It is therefore safe to say that the sword Abu Bakr boldly unsheathed in the face of the enemies of Islam was literally a new lease on life for it.

Afterwards, the constantly expanding Muslim state was stepping into another phase during which Islam spread outside-the Arab Peninsula, to extend to faraway areas such as Syria, Iraq and Egypt. The responsibility was by no means simple. Further, a continually expanding state, in its own, required implementing a well-established, full-fledged system of government. Hence, the state whose foundations were laid down by Abu Bakr was then capably governed by ~Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab, may Allah be pleased with him, in a way that can only be compared to that of prophets. Sending out massive armies to foreign lands in order to spread Islam and simultaneously delineating a well -thought-of system of government that he crowned with his wisdom, justice and piety were weighty tasks that only a firm, relentless man like

~Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab could have handled.

When *Uthmaan Ibn ~Affaan came into office, he was to shoulder quite a responsibility. ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab had died leaving him a far-stretching empire that yet continued to grow. With natural lenience and tenderness of heart, *Uthmaan Ibn * Affaan, may Allah be pleased with him, succeeded in getting Muslims to take part in governing the state without allowing matters to get out of hand. Moreover, during his rule, Muslims basked in abundance and plenty, which did not necessarily have to be a blessing, but rather a test under wraps.

Then, Muslims came under the laudable rule of the fourth of the righteous caliphs, ~Ali Ibn Abi Taalib, may Allah be pleased with him. Placed at the helm of a mature state that was easier to rules using subtle strategies of government rather than faithful adherence to the laws of Allah, * Ali adamantly abided by the true spirit of Islam. There was no way he would put satisfying people before declaring the truth and abolishing falsehood. Despite the fact that, during the final years of his rules, Muslims underwent a rather turbulent period of their history, “Ali Ibn Abi Taalib, may Allah be pleased with him, remained an example to be followed in piety, wisdom, firmness and intrepidity. One is not to be surprised for he was a true follower of Prophet Mohammed, peace and blessings be upon him, who adopted Islam as a child and whose sole role model was Allah's Messenger.

Last, though by no means least, the righteous caliphs were crowned by “Umar Ibn *Abdul *Azeez. “Umar was such an exceptional figure in the history of Muslim rulers to the point that he is generally referred to as the "fifth" of the righteous caliphs, although he lived many years after the decease of the last of them. During the rule of “Umar Ibn * Abdul * Azeez, the Muslim state had assumed a whole new dimension that called for a subtle ruler with wisdom and perception. Further, ~ Umar Ibn * Abdul * Azeez is best famous for his matchless justice, for which he later became

Hence, it becomes evident that those early years of Muslim history bore many challenges and trials. It goes without saying that men who were in charge of Muslims then were certainly paragons of matchless virtue, faith and character. Contrary to all rules, opposing extremes managed to exist inside their hearts in a way that rendered them memorable role models for every Muslim to follow. Allah, exalted be He, one more than one occasion describes them saying:

(FY he My "het Ls

“Among the Believers are men who have been true to their Covenant with Allah: of them some have completed their vow (to the extreme), and some (still) wait: but they have never changed (their determination) in the least.” (Al-Ahzaab: 23)

Lig baad aS 4h ately aad aL, aN 53 ob RY Hho peel Y Oe (PY sy gty "SAR Cg ap Cliss

“By men whom neither traffic nor merchandise can divert from the Remembrance of Allah, nor from regular Prayer, nor from the practice of regular Charity: Their (only) fear is for the Day when hearts and eyes will be transformed (in world wholly new).” (An Noor: 37)

eee A i) oly est cpa sal caprtga Ge Osh bitty reall 5h Gs Heal Gd Gwe seu aoe pio geil Sel, Se yoy, (hee egy

“The vanguard (of Islam) -- the first of those who forsook (their homes) and of those who gave them aid, and (also) those who follow them in (all) good deeds -- well-pleased is Allah with them, as they are with Him: for them hath He prepared gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein forever: that is the supreme Felicity.” (At Tawbah: 100)

a is as — A 2 res 4 ite Sipnys ai of ead

“Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; and those who are with him are strong against Unbelievers, (but) compassionate among each other. Thou wilt see them bow and prostrate themselves (in prayer), seeking Grace from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure. On their faces are marks, (being) the traces of their prostration. This is their similitude in the Tawrah; and their similitude in the Gospel is like a seed which sends forth its blade, then makes its strong: it then becomes thick, and it stands on its own stem, (filling) the sowers it would wonder and delight. As a result, it fills the unbelievers with rage at them. Allah has promised those among them who believe and do righteous deeds forgiveness, and a great Reward.” (Al-Fath: 29)

Secondly, this book proves to be especially significant due to the fact that it breathes a new vigorous spirit into the younger generations. By and large, reading Islamic history in general and the life stories of the righteous caliphs in particular is an essential step along the way to resurrecting the Muslim nation that once led the entire world. Getting acquainted with such spectacular examples can only lead Muslims to shake off ignorance in which

it is shrouded. XIV

Thirdly, a book that seeks to highlight numerous aspects of the life histories of Muslim leading figures since the decease of the prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, is not solely an interesting reading material. It also offers ample opportunity for Muslims to draw lessons and reflect on the real significance of incidents and events. The life of every Muslim caliph featured in the book abounds in situations that succeeding generations continue to look back on and learn from. Similarly, more than fourteen centuries later, their words are frequently quoted and widely revered. Ata time when the world in general, and youth in specific, no longer have a role model to look up to, this book proves to be highly invaluable. Not only does it offer its readers a review of important historical events that considerably contributed in shaping Islamic history, it also offers Muslim youth shining examples that give them hope for a better future.