Sirah: Story of the Rightly Guided Caliphs – SS1 Islamic Studies Lesson Note (Second Term)

The Rightly Guided Caliphs (Khulafa-e-Rashidun) were the first four leaders of the Muslim community after Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) died: Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali. They were close friends of the Prophet who knew Islam well, followed his example, and ruled with justice and wisdom from 632 to 661 CE.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• Name the four Rightly Guided Caliphs in order.
• Describe how each Caliph came to accept Islam and what he was known for.
• State the main things each Caliph did while in office.
• Explain how each Caliph died and who followed him.
• Explain the lessons that Muslim leaders can learn from the Rightly Guided Caliphs.

Who were the Rightly Guided Caliphs?

After Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) died, the Muslim community needed new leaders. The first four leaders who came after him are called the “Rightly Guided Caliphs” or “Khulafa-e-Rashidun” in Arabic. They are:

1. Abu Bakr as-Siddiq
2. Umar ibn al-Khattab
3. Uthman ibn Affan
4. Ali ibn Abi Talib

These four men were close friends of Prophet Muhammad. They knew Islam very well and tried to follow the Prophet’s example in everything they did. Their time as leaders is called the “Golden Age of Islam” because they ruled with justice and wisdom.

Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (632 to 634 CE)

Who was Abu Bakr?

Abu Bakr was the closest friend of Prophet Muhammad. He was the first adult man to accept Islam. His daughter Aisha was one of the Prophet’s wives. Abu Bakr was known for his honesty and kindness. People called him “as-Siddiq,” which means “the truthful one.”

When Prophet Muhammad told people about his night journey to Jerusalem and heaven (Isra and Mi’raj), some people did not believe him. But Abu Bakr said, “If he said it, then it must be true.” This shows how much he trusted the Prophet.

How did Abu Bakr become Caliph?

When Prophet Muhammad died, many Muslims were shocked and confused. Some even said he could not be dead. Abu Bakr told them, “Whoever worshipped Muhammad, Muhammad is dead. But whoever worships Allah, Allah is alive and will never die.”

The Muslims needed to choose a new leader. After some discussion, they chose Abu Bakr as the first Caliph (leader). He was 60 years old when he became Caliph.

What did Abu Bakr do as Caliph?

Abu Bakr ruled for only about two years, but he did many important things:

1. Fought against false prophets: After Prophet Muhammad died, some people claimed to be new prophets. Abu Bakr fought against them to protect the true message of Islam.
2. Collected the Quran: He ordered Zaid ibn Thabit to collect all parts of the Quran in one place. Before this, the Quran was written on different pieces of leather, bones and palm leaves.
3. Sent armies to spread Islam: He sent Muslim armies to areas outside Arabia to spread the message of Islam.
4. Lived simply: Even though he was the leader, Abu Bakr lived in a simple house and wore simple clothes. He used the money from the treasury only for the most basic needs.

How did Abu Bakr die?

Abu Bakr got sick with a fever and died in 634 CE. He was Caliph for only 2 years and 3 months. Before he died, he named Umar ibn al-Khattab as the next Caliph.

Umar ibn al-Khattab (634 to 644 CE)

Who was Umar?

Umar was a strong and brave man. Before accepting Islam, he was one of its biggest enemies. He once went out with his sword to kill Prophet Muhammad. But on the way, someone told him that his own sister had become Muslim. Umar went to his sister’s house and heard her reciting the Quran. The beautiful words touched his heart, and instead of staying angry, he went to the Prophet and accepted Islam.

After becoming Muslim, Umar used his strength to defend Islam. He was known for his justice and fairness. People called him “Al-Farooq,” which means “one who distinguishes between right and wrong.”

What did Umar do as Caliph?

Umar was Caliph for about 10 years. During this time:

1. Expanded the Muslim empire: Under Umar’s leadership, Muslims conquered many new areas, including parts of Persia (Iran), Syria and Egypt.
2. Created systems of government: He set up new ways to run the growing Muslim lands. He divided the land into provinces and appointed governors. He also started the first Islamic calendar, which begins with the year of Hijrah.
3. Built cities: Umar ordered the building of new cities like Basra and Kufa in Iraq.
4. Cared for the poor: He made sure that poor people, orphans and travellers had enough food and places to stay.
5. Personally checked on people: At night, Umar would walk around the city to see if anyone needed help. Once, he found a poor woman trying to cook stones in a pot to make her children think food was coming. Umar immediately brought food for her family and made sure they were taken care of from then on.

What are examples of Umar’s justice?

Umar was famous for his justice. Here are some examples:

• Once, the son of Amr ibn al-As (a governor) hit an Egyptian man. The Egyptian complained to Umar. Umar called Amr and his son to Madinah and told the Egyptian, “Hit the son of the noble man as he hit you.” This showed that everyone was equal under the law.
• Umar said, “If a mule trips in Iraq, I fear that Allah will ask me why I did not pave the road for it.”
• During a famine, Umar stopped eating good food and ate only simple food like everyone else. He said, “How can I feel the pain of my people if I don’t experience what they experience?”

How did Umar die?

In 644 CE, while Umar was leading the morning prayer in the mosque, a man named Abu Lu’lu’ah Firoz stabbed him six times with a poisoned dagger. Umar died three days later. Before dying, he appointed a council of six men to choose the next Caliph.

Uthman ibn Affan (644 to 656 CE)

Who was Uthman?

Uthman came from a wealthy family in Makkah. He was known for his shyness, kindness and generosity. He was married to two of Prophet Muhammad’s daughters (at different times): first Ruqayyah, and after she died, Umm Kulthum. Because of this, he was called “Dhun-Nurayn,” which means “the one with two lights.”

Uthman was one of the first people to accept Islam. He used his wealth to help the Muslim community. Once, when the Muslims needed money to prepare for battle, Uthman donated 950 camels and 50 horses.

What did Uthman do as Caliph?

Uthman was Caliph for about 12 years. During this time:

1. Made official copies of the Quran: Uthman noticed that people in different areas were reciting the Quran slightly differently. He formed a committee to make an official copy of the Quran. He then sent copies to different parts of the Muslim world. This Quran is the same one we have today.
2. Expanded the Prophet’s Mosque: Uthman enlarged the mosque in Madinah to make room for more worshippers.
3. Continued expansion: Under Uthman, Muslims conquered more lands, including parts of North Africa, Cyprus and Central Asia.
4. Built ports and canals: He improved sea travel by building ports and digging canals for ships.
5. Helped the poor: Uthman continued to use his personal wealth to help those in need.

What challenges did Uthman face?

The last few years of Uthman’s rule were difficult. Some people complained that:

• Uthman appointed his relatives to important positions.
• Some governors were not treating people fairly.
• The simple lifestyle of earlier times was changing.

These complaints led to unrest in some areas. Uthman tried to address these issues, but some people were not satisfied.

How did Uthman die?

In 656 CE, a group of rebels came to Madinah and surrounded Uthman’s house. They demanded that he step down as Caliph. Uthman refused because he had been chosen by the Muslim community. The rebels then broke into his house and killed him while he was reading the Quran. Uthman was 82 years old when he died.

Ali ibn Abi Talib (656 to 661 CE)

Who was Ali?

Ali was the cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad. He was raised in the Prophet’s house from a young age. Ali was the first child to accept Islam and was only about 10 years old at that time. He married Fatimah, the Prophet’s daughter, and they had two sons named Hasan and Husayn.

Ali was known for his knowledge, bravery and honesty. Prophet Muhammad once said, “I am the city of knowledge, and Ali is its gate.” Ali fought in almost all the battles during the Prophet’s time and was known as one of the bravest warriors.

What did Ali do as Caliph?

After Uthman’s death, most Muslims chose Ali as the fourth Caliph. Ali ruled for about 5 years. During this time:

1. Moved the capital: Ali moved the capital from Madinah to Kufa in Iraq.
2. Tried to restore justice: He removed governors who were not fair and tried to bring back the simple lifestyle of the early days of Islam.
3. Dealt with rebellions: Ali faced several rebellions during his rule. The most difficult was the Battle of the Camel, where he had to fight against an army that included Aisha, the Prophet’s widow. Later, he also fought against Muawiyah (the governor of Syria) at the Battle of Siffin.
4. Focused on education: Ali was very knowledgeable about the Quran and Islamic law. He spent time teaching people about Islam and answering their questions.

What are examples of Ali’s justice and wisdom?

Ali was famous for his justice and wisdom. Here are some examples:

• Once, Ali was in court against a Jewish man. The judge respected Ali as Caliph and did not treat the Jewish man equally. Ali left the court saying, “This is not justice.” The Jewish man was so impressed that he accepted Islam.
• Ali often said, “The worst ruler is one whom the good people fear and the bad people hope for.”
• Ali personally helped orphans and widows. He would carry food to their homes at night so they would not feel embarrassed.

How did Ali die?

In January 661 CE, while Ali was praying in the mosque in Kufa, a man named Abd al-Rahman ibn Muljam attacked him with a poisoned sword. Ali died two days later. He was buried in Najaf (in modern-day Iraq).

What lessons do we learn from the Rightly Guided Caliphs?

The time of the Rightly Guided Caliphs lasted about 30 years (632 to 661 CE). During this time, Islam spread to many parts of the world. Muslims today still look to these four Caliphs as examples of how to be good leaders and good Muslims.

Simple living

All four Caliphs lived simple lives. They did not use their position to become rich or powerful. They ate simple food, wore simple clothes and lived in simple houses. They taught us that leaders should not live in luxury while their people suffer.

Justice for all

The Rightly Guided Caliphs treated everyone equally, whether they were rich or poor, Muslim or non-Muslim. They showed us that justice is for everyone.

Service to the community

All four Caliphs worked hard to serve the Muslim community. They saw themselves as servants of the people and did not behave like kings who could do whatever they wanted.

Following the Quran and Sunnah

The Rightly Guided Caliphs always tried to follow the teachings of the Quran and the example of Prophet Muhammad. When they had to make decisions, they first looked to see what the Quran and Sunnah said.

Consultation

The Caliphs did not make important decisions by themselves. They consulted knowledgeable people before making decisions. This teaches us the importance of listening to others and considering different opinions.

Evaluation

1. Name the four Rightly Guided Caliphs in the order in which they ruled.
2. Why was Abu Bakr called “as-Siddiq”?
3. Describe how Umar came to accept Islam.
4. State two things Uthman did as Caliph.
5. Mention three lessons that Muslim leaders can learn from the Rightly Guided Caliphs.

Assignment

Choose one of the four Caliphs. Write a short account of his life that states how he became Caliph, two things he did while in office, and how he died.