Fatwa ID: 06799
Answered by: Maulana Ubaidur Rahman
Question:
If someone says that Abu Bakr Ra should not have been Khalifah first rather it should have been Ali Ra. They say it because Ali Ra is more افضل. However, they do accept Abu Bakr Ra as a Khalifah. Is this person a kafir. Please provide references with the Arabic عبارة
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Allah mentions in the Quraan,
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱلرَّسُولَ وَأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَمْرِ مِنكُمْ ۖ فَإِن تَنَـٰزَعْتُمْ فِى شَىْءٍۢ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَٱلرَّسُولِ إِن كُنتُمْ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌۭ وَأَحْسَنُ تَأْوِيلًا[1]
O you who believe! Obey Allah and his Messenger (PBUH) and those in authority among you. Should you disagree on anything, then refer it to Allah and His Messenger, if you truly believe in Allah and the Last Day. This is the best and fairest resolution.
أَمَّا هَذَا الَّذِي فِيهِ ذِكْرُ الذُّنُوبِ وَالْجَرَائِمِ، فَإِنَّ الْآثَارَ جَاءَتْ بِالتَّغْلِيظِ عَلَى أَرْبَعَةِ أَنْوَاعٍ: فَاثْنَانِ مِنْهَا فِيهَا نَفْيُ الْإِيمَانِ، وَالْبَرَاءَةُ من النبي صلى الله عليه. وَالْآخَرَانِ فِيهَا تَسْمِيَةُ الْكُفْرِ وَذِكْرُ الشِّرْكِ، وَكُلُّ نَوْعٍ مِنْ هَذِهِ الْأَرْبَعَةِ تَجْمَعُ أَحَادِيثَ ذَوَاتِ عِدَّةٍ. فَمِنَ النَّوْعِ الَّذِي فِيهِ نَفْيُ الْإِيمَانُ
Abu Bakr (RA) was the best person to come after the Prophet (PBUH) in this ummah. He is the best person and he made the most sacrifices in this ummah. He supported the Prophet (PBUH) entirely and unequivocally throughout his life.
Abu Bakr was unanimously the best companion of the Prophet (PBUH) and was the established Khalifah by consensus. No one disputed that. Hazrat Ali (RA) did not dispute this and was not after the power of the Caliphate.
The Prophet (PBUH) gave preference to Abu Bakr and consulted him regarding key decisions in the Prophet’s PBUH)’s lifetime. He made it clear to the Companions around him that Abu Bakr (RA) had clear preference and rank above the rest of the Companions (May Allah be pleased with them all) and the decision to choose him as the Muslim Khalifah after the passing of Nabi (SAW) was carried out thoroughly and properly.
وقد ثبت عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم أنه قال:
” من يعش منك بعدي فسيرى اختلافا كثيرا, فعليكم بسنتي وسنة الخلفاء الراشدين المهديين من بعدي عضوا عليها بالنواجذ, وإياكم ومحدثات الأمور, فإن كل بدعة ضلالة[2]“
The Prophet SAW said, “Whoever comes after me they will see many disputes. So upon you is my sunnah/guided way/practices and the practices of the four appointed Caliphates. Who have been guided after me and upon you is firmly grasping what they bring/give you. And you beware of innovative matters. Because everyone innovated matter is misguidance.”
The Prophet (PBUH) is reported to have prayed regarding the Ahle Bayt,
“اللهم إني أحبه فأحبه, وأحب من يحبه”.
Abu Bakr RA is the rightly chosen Khalifah after Nabi Kareem SAW. That can not be disputed or else a person’s Imaan is in danger. This is followed through with Prophetic traditions on how the Prophet (PBUH) acted in relation to the rank of Abu Bakr (RA) and his companionship towards him. This fact does not take away or subtract from the merits of Hazrat Ali (RA) who was a very noble and trustworthy companion of Nabi (SAW) as well as being an integral part of the blessed family of Nabi (SAW). Both of these companions are very high-status Sahabahs hold a high rank in Islam and are both very close to the Prophet (SAW).
May Allah make the quest for your answer easy and fulfil everything which you are looking for in this regard.
[1] Surah Nisaa, verse 59.
[2] Kitaab Huqqoq Ale-Bait, page 34.
خرجه أبو داود في سننه في كتاب السنة باب٥
Only Allah (عز و جل) knows best.
Written by Maulana Ubaidur Rahman
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
