I am not The Best of You (2/4)

In fact, he made this attempt, particularly after he finished from suppressing the affliction of the apostates. One day, ‘Umar (Allah be pleased with him) entered into his house, and saw him weeping. He had no sooner seen ‘Umar in front of him than he adhered to him, as if he was а lifeboat. He said to him: "О ‘Umar! I have no need for the matter of ruling over you." but, Umar did not let him complete his speech and replied to him hurriedly: "Where would you escape (from it)? By Allah! We should neither discharge you, nor should we let you resign."

Now, let's come closer to some scenes, in order to see how the caliph carried out (the principles) that he announced in his speech on the day he was given the pledge of allegiance. Let's come much closer to see clearly this great blessed man, not only of Islam but also of the whole life. Let's also see this ruler, who was abundantly overflowing (with goodness and blessings), that he overfilled the life of people with all kinds of health, mercy, wonder and safety.

No doubt, he was doomed to begin the time of his caliphate with а great event, in which his loyalty to the (supremacy of) law was put to trial. Fatimah, the daughter of The Messenger of Allah (Allah's blessing and peace be upon him), and AI-Abbas, his paternal uncle, went to him, asking him to give them their right (of inheritance) from а small piece of land, which The Messenger of Allah (Allah's blessing and peace be upon him) had got as booty without war.

The Messenger of Allah (Allah's blessing and peace be upon him) used to give Fatimah and some of his family а portion of its yield, and distribute the rest among the poor persons of his companions.

Following the death of The Messenger of Allah (Allah's blessing and peace be upon him), Fatimah (Allah be pleased with her) went to his successor (Abu Bakr), asking him (to give her) this piece of land, as her inheritance from her father, The Messenger of Allah.

But, Abu Bakr said to her and to AI-Abbas: "No doubt, I heard The Messenger of Allah (Allah's blessing and peace be upon him) saying: "(The property of) us, Prophets, should not be inherited. Whatever we leave should be given in charity." By Allah! I never let anything I saw The Messenger of Allah (Allah's blessing and peace be upon him) doing but I should do it. Therefore, I’m afraid that if I left anything he used to do, surely I would go astray."

Verily, Abu Bakr was well-aware of the fact that the one, who was the most deserving of this care, as regards the right, was the daughter of The Messenger of Allah (Allah's blessing and peace be upon him). He also knew very well now The Messenger of Allah (Allah's blessing and peace be upon him) used to love her, and give preference to her (over others). He also was conscious how she, her husband and children were in need of this small piece of land. On the other hand, it was much better for Abu Bakr to do what is difficult than to say "no" to the daughter of The Messenger of Allah (Allah's blessing and peace be upon him). But, in spite of all of that, he said it.

When hе believed in The Messenger of Allah (Allah's blessing and peace be upon him), his religion and method, this method turned to be а (governing) law for him, His belief in this law was inseparable from his belief in Allah and His Messenger. Since The Messenger of Allah (Allah's blessing and peace be upon him) said: "(The property of) us, Prophets, should not be inherited", it was а command of law that (the property of) his Prophet would not be inherited.

In this way, he found himself under а tension of two sorts of loyalty: his loyalty to The Messenger of Allah (Allah's blessing and peace be upon him) as manifest in his daughter, the dearest person to him, and his loyalty to the law, with which the Messenger of Allah (Allah's blessing and peace be upon him) had come.

However, he was not to hesitate (to announce his situation clearly in this matter), since he had not only the faith of an ordinary person, but also the faith of а genius man. It was the faith, which would not be frustrated by whatever kinship or flattery.

As soon as Fatimah had heard the (negative) reply of Abu Bakr to her question, her face was covered with sorrow and sadness. As-Siddiq was well-aware of the fact that she was the fastest of all the people to comply with the orders of The Messenger of Allah (Allah's blessing and peace be upon him), and that she was not to deviate from his instructions. But perhaps, she might have doubt as to whether The Messenger of Allah (Allah's blessing and peace be upon him) had said this Hadith, and issued such а command.

Henceforward, he sent (а message) to ‘Umar, Talhah, Az-Zubair, Sa'd Ibn Аbi Waqqas and Abd Ar-Rahman Ibn Awf, (to me). He asked them in her presence: "I beseech you by Him, with Whose Power both the heaven and the earth exist! Do you not know that The Messenger of Allah (Allah's blessing and peace be upon him) said: "(The property of) us (Prophets) should not be inherited, and whatever we leave should be given in charity"?"

But, Fatimah presented а new proof in this concern, she said: "Do you not know that The Messenger of Allah (Allah's blessing and peace be upon him) granted me this (piece of land) during his lifetime? Thus, it should be for me, according to the right of gift, and not the right of inheritance." Abu Bakr replied: "Yes, I know this fact. But, I saw him distributing (the yield of) it among the poor people, the needy persons and the wayfarers after giving you what would suffice you in this way, he wanted to have the poor people get а permanent right in it."

Fatimah said: "Then, let it be in our possession, and we shall deal with it in the same way it was treated while being in the possession of The Messenger of Allah (Allah's blessing and peace be upon him)." Abu Bakr said: "I do not see that. No doubt, I’m the guardian of the believers after (the death of) their Messenger. So, I have more right than you to deal with it in the same way as The Messenger of Allah (Allah's blessing and peace be upon him) used to do."

In this event, which faced Abu Bakr in the beginning of his rule, his faith in what is right, and his belief in (the supremacy of) law passed through а serious trial, whose terror and difficulty could not be experienced but by such а man as Abu Bakr himself. But, he had а great success in this trial.

Furthermore, Abu Bakr’s respect for (the supremacy of) law was inseparable from his respect for those who were to undertake with him the responsibility of protecting it. On the day he set out to bid farewell to (the army of) Usamah, ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattab was enlisted in this army. Abu Bakr was eager to have ‘Umar remain with him in Medina. As the Muslim caliph, he had the right and power to have him remain (in Medina) by issuing а resolution in this concern.

On the other hand, he was well-aware of the fact that by doing so, he would oppress (and usurp the rights of) one of his employees, who should have all the guarantees, which might enable him to fulfill his duties, and practice his function to the full. The first of those guarantees was that his rights should not be usurped by any kind of authority, even if it was the authority of the caliph himself.

The caliph came close to Usamah, the leader of the army and whispered to him hopefully: "If you see it better, you might let ‘Umar Ibn AI-Khattab (remain along with me in Medina). Indeed, I think his stay with me would be (а source of) goodness and benefit." Usamah accepted immediately.

Abu Bakr did not do that out of flattery (to Usamah) and modesty, but out of (his belief that it was а) duty. Had Usamah's reply at that time been in the negative, Abu Bakr would not have disobeyed or refused to comply (with his will).

Whoever wants to see the glory of ruling, and the greatness of the ruler, then, let him look at Abu Bakr in the morning of the day he was given the pledge of allegiance as caliph, when he came out of his house, carrying upon his shoulders а huge bandage of clothes.

On the way, both of ‘Umar Ibn AI-Khattab and Abu ‘Ubaidah Ibn Al­Jarrah met him and asked: "Where are you going, О successor of The Messenger of Allah (Allah's blessing and peace be upon him) he said:

"I’m going to the market." ‘Umar asked: "What would you do in the market since you were appointed as the ruler of all Muslims?" Abu Bakr said: "Then, from what would I feed my dependents?"

That's because the position of caliphate never caused such а great man to become arrogant or self-conceited, nor did it provoke in him any desire for changing the way of life (he had before being а caliph). ‘Umar said to him "Come along with us so that we might assign for you something (as remuneration) from the treasury."