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The 4 Caliphs

Sayyiduna Abu Bakr, Sayyiduna Umar al Farooq, Sayyiduna Uthman Gani and Sayyiduna Ali (Radhi Allahu 'anhu – May Allah be pleased with him) were the consecutive successors of Sayyiduna Rasulullah (Sallal laahu alaihi wasallam.)

These four Khulafaa (plural for Caliph) are called the 'Khulafaa-e-Rashidun” or the “Rightly Guided Caliphs.” Together, these four Khulafaa ruled the Islamic state for about 29 years. They are renowned “Rightly Guided” because they ruled the people of that time exactly according to the Holy Quran and commands of Ssyyiduna Rasulullah (Sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).

Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radhi Allahu 'anhu – May Allah be pleased with him)

Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu's) real name was Abdullah, and he was given the title of “As Siddique” or “Testifier to the Truth.” His father, 'Uthman, was known as Abu Quhafah and his mother, Salma, was known as Ummul Khair. He was two and a half years younger than Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).

He was the first among the Sahaba to accept Islam. He accompanied Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) during the Hijrah to Madinatul Munawwarah. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) was a merchant. He freed many slaves, including Sayyiduna Bilal (radi Allahu anhu) and Sayyiduna Umayyah bin Qahaf (radi Allahu anhu). He participated in all the battles in which Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) had to fight the Kuffar.

Hadhrat Umar (Radhi Allahu 'anhu – May Allah be pleased with him)

Before he passed away, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) consulted the senior Sahaba and elected Sayyiduna Umar (radi Allahu anhu) as the second Caliph of the Muslims.

He was the son of Khattab and is famous in Islamic history as “Al Farooq” or “One who Distinguishes between Right and Wrong.” His acceptance of Islam is also very famous.

Hadhrat Uthman (Radhi Allahu 'anhu – May Allah be pleased with him)

Before he passed away, Sayyiduna Umar (radi Allahu anhu) appointed a six-man Committee to elect his successor from among themselves. After long discussions and consultation, they elected Sayyiduna 'Uthman bin Affan (radi Allahu anhu) as the third Caliph of Islam.

Sayyiduna 'Uthman (radi Allahu anhu) belonged to the Ummayah tribe of the Quraish. He was a very rich cloth merchant. He was known as “Al Ghani” or “The Generous.” His father's name was Affan and his mother was Urwa.

Hadhrat Ali (Radhi Allahu 'anhu – May Allah be pleased with him)

After Sayyiduna 'Uthman (radi Allahu anhu) passed away, Sayyiduna Ali (radi Allahu anhu) was elected as the fourth Caliph by the Muslims. During the period of the first three Caliphs, Madinatul Munawwarah continued to be the capital of the Muslim world, but Sayyiduna Ali (radi Allahu anhu) transferred the Islamic capital to Kufah in Iraq.

Sayyiduna Ali (radi Allahu anhu) was the son of Abu Taalib, an uncle of Sayyiduna Rasulullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). Sayyiduna Ali (radi Allahu anhu) was married to Sayyadah Bibi Fathima (radi Allahu anha), the daughter of Sayyiduna Rasulullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). They had 3 sons, Sayyiduna Hassan, Sayyiduna Hussain and Sayyiduna Mohsin (radi Allahu anhumul ajma'in).