The absolute deputation
of the HOLY PROPHET (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) is called Imamat and
one who is appointed to this rank is called the Imam (Spiritual Leader).
The Imam of Muslims by virtue of deputation of the HOLY PROPHET (Sall
Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) becomes entitled to exercise powers in all the
worldly and religious affairs entrusted to him according to the religious
laws and they are free from any kind of defection (or sin). The obedience
of the Imam is for all the Muslims of the world.
"The conditions of appointment to Imam hood are that firstly he
should be a free Muslim and secondly he should be sane, competent, elder
and also member of Quraish." It is not a condition that he should
be a Hashamite (member of Bani Hashim) Alvi (Alid) and innocent. Those
are the conditions laid down in Rawafiz (The followers of Shiaism). The
motto behind such invented condition is to separate or drop the names of
true leaders of the faithful viz. the first three pious caliphs namely
Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique, Hazrat Umar Farooque, and Hazrat Usman Ghani
(Radi Allaho A'nhum) from the list of the caliphs of the HOLY PROPHET (Sall
Allaho Alaihe Wasallam). Further the condition to be Alid is totally invalid
because it disqualifies Hazrat Ali (Radi Allaho Anho) to become the Imam.
How can Hazrat Ali (Radi Allaho Anho) be regarded as an Alid? (Alid is
the descendant of Hazrat Ali (Radi Allaho Anho) and not Hazrat Ali (Radi
Allaho Anho) himself). As regards innocence, it happens to be the attribute
of the prophets and angels so the belief of the Shia Sect that all the
Imams happened to be innocent is also not justified.
(Bahar-e-Shariat)
ACCORDING TO THE BELIEF OF SUNNI SECT AFTER THE HOLY PROPHET (SALL ALLAHO
ALAIHE WASALLAM) THE CALIPHATE AND THE IMAMAT HAD BEEN BESTOWED UPON HAZRAT
ABU BAKR SIDDIQUE (RADI ALLAHO ANHO) (ABSOLUTE, PROVED BEYOND DOUBT BY
RESEARCH).
It was right and was based upon admonition and guidance. His Imamat
was not acquired by forced usurpation. His Imamat was in fact was a result
of his following attributes. Kindness and clemency, the excellence of Siyadat
(leadership), farseeing political consideration, full support of millah
(support of religious laws) etc. He was also one who was equipped with
protection of Ummat (followers of Islam). He was a man of justice and equality,
truth and straight forwardness. He was a man of a domination and guidance.
He was the eradicator of menace of renegades, in addition to them there
are many illustrious Ahadith of the HOLY PROPHET (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam)
about the attributes of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (Radi Allaho Anho). Further
by the majority of the Holy Companions (Radi Allaho A'nhum) he was elected
to the seat of the Caliphate of the Prophet (the leader of the faithful).
It was a historical event that after the HOLY PROPHET (Sall Allaho Alaihe
Wasallam) parted from this mortal world Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (Radi
Allaho Anho) occupied the throne of pious caliphate and promulgated his,
verdicts and commands. He controlled the administration of Islamic country
so the people of all faiths, such as Jews, Christians, Fire Worshippers
and even the infidels accepted his rule. However the Shia and Alids had
developed a kind of animosity against him on the basis of false claim that
the seat of caliphate was the right of Moula Ali (Let Allah's favour be
on his countenance).
When in accordance with the Divine Command the seat of caliphate has
been assigned to the first three leaders of the faithful then (Allah forbid
it) that the followers of the Shia faith regarded them to be the usurpers
of the seat of the caliphate as well as of Imamat (religious leadership).
They did not stop at it, but by an accusation of Taqiyah Shaqiyah (vicious
subterfuge). (Let Allah forbid it) they regard Hazrat Asadullah Ghalib
to be impotent, coward, discarded of truth and subject of falsehood.
A wise enemy is better than a foolish friend is. In short all the Holy
Companions had unanimity and general agreement on the Imamat and caliphate
of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (Radi Allaho Anho). In no case the Holy Companions
(Radi Allaho A'nhum) could be unanimous on any matter of falsehood under
any circumstances. Even if it is accepted that due to usurpation and oppression
all the Holy Companions (Radi Allaho A'nhum) became transgressors then
how could it be possible that the said companions happened to be the bearers
of the Manifest Quran and they were the narrators of the true faith. One
who regards the Holy Companions (Radi Allaho A'nhum) to be transgressors
should in fact discover a new approach unto the HOLY PROPHET (Sall Allaho
Alaihe Wasallam). In fact such person is deprived of the true faith. We
Sunnis have to think that the subsequent caliphate of Hazrat Farooq-e-Azam
(Radi Allaho Anho) and of Hazrat Zun-nurain Usman Ghani (Radi Allaho Anho)
followed by the caliphate of the father of Hussain Hazrat Ali (Radi Allaho
Anho) were logical and justified and that none of them was an usurper.