Wifāq ul Ulāma (SA) ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH AFRICAN 'ULAMA
Appointment as the Khalifah (continued)
Before passing away, Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) formed a Shura (council) consisting of the following six Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum):
Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), Hazrat Zubair (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), Hazrat Talhah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), Hazrat Sa’d (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and Hazrat ‘Abdur Rahmaan bin ‘Auf (radhiyallahu ‘anhu).
In regard to these six Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum), Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) mentioned, “I do not find any people to be more worthy of the Khilaafah than this group of Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) on account of the fact that Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) left this world in the condition that he was extremely pleased with them.”
In this manner, Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) decided that this Shura of six Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) would decide among themselves and reach a conclusion as to who which of them would be appointed as the Khalifah. Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) also instructed that they should make the decision within three days.
Although Hazrat Sa’eed bin Zaid (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was also worthy of the Khilaafah, Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) did not appoint him to this Shura. The reason is that he was the cousin of Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), and Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) did not want to appoint any of his family members to succeed him as the Khalifah.
Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) also advised the Shura to include his son, Hazrat ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma), in their mashura in order to assist them to nominate the Khalifah, and Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) made it clear that he should not be made the Khalifah.
(To be continued, Insha Allah)
(Saheeh Bukhaari #3700, Al-Bidaayah-wan-Nihaayah vol. 7 pg. 295-296, Tabaqaat ibnu Sa’d vol. 3 pg. 261, Fat-hul Baari vol. 7 pg. 84 and Al-Ishaa’ah pg. 34)
