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Wednesday, 10 March 2010 GMT


Saqifa; the debacle of Islamic Government

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	Document revision: 1.1.0

Introduction

The Historical Facts

Analysis of the events

The issues raised at the Saqifa

Assessing Sunni justifications of Saqifa

Some crucial observations

Burial of the Prophet (saww)

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Saqifa; the debacle of Islamic Government

Introduction

This article shall seek to unravel one of the most dramatic events in Islamic History, the event of Saqifa that ultimately led to a victorious Abu Bakr attaining the station of Khalifa following the death of the Prophet (s). This controversial episode goes to the heart of the Sunni / Shi'a schism and the difference in core theology has its origins in this sorry episode. We shall seek break down the event piece by piece to assist our readers in getting a true picture of what happened on the day in question. We shall seek to present the true facts, very different from that presented by the Sunni Ulema and writers who would seem to suggest that upon the death of the Prophet (s) the Ummah rushed to elect Abu Bakr as the Khalifa of the Prophet, all the Sahaba participated, all were happy and no difference of opinion. The romantic Sunni image is that this the perfect example of ijma of the Sahaba one where these great men happily voted in the esteemed figure of Abu Bakr, by doing so they ensured that there was a true transition of power. The episode actually begins from the point that Rasulullah (s) died, upon receiving news of the Prophet (saws)'s death the companions who were ordered by the Prophet (s) to join the expedition led by Usamah returned to Madinah. Three key figures Abu Bakr, Umar and Abu Ubaydah were participants in this aborted expedition, and Sunni Imam Khandlawi adds that when returning to Medina:

"Usamah along with 'Umar and Abu 'Ubaidah (Radiallahu 'Anhum) returned to Madinah and went straight to the [residence of the] Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu 'alaihi was Sallam) who had passed away".

Hayatus Sahaba, by Maulana Khandlawi, translated by Majid Ali Khan, Volume 1 p 541