Despite the fact that Islam is one of the youngest religions on the planet, it has a very interesting history, filled with bright events and facts. Many experts believe that the once powerful and influential Arab caliphate owes its appearance to the successful activity of the Prophet, who managed to unite a large number of previously disparate tribes in a single faith. The best period of this theocratic state can be considered the decades when the righteous caliphs were at the head. All of them were the closest associates and followers of Muhammad, who were in close relationship with him. This period of the formation and development of the caliphate is considered by historians as the most interesting, often it is even called the "golden era". Today we will talk in detail about all four righteous caliphs and their most significant achievements at the head of the Muslim community.
The concept of the caliphate: a brief description
At the beginning of the seventh century, the Prophet created a small community of fellow believers, spread over the territory of Western Arabia. This was called the proto-state of the Ummah. Initially, no one imagined that thanks to military campaigns and the conquests of Muslims, it would noticeably expand its borders and become one of the most powerful associations over several centuries.
The words "caliphate" and "caliph" in translation from Arabic mean approximately the same thing - "heir". All the rulers of the Islamic state were considered the successors of the Prophet himself and were very revered among ordinary Muslims.
Among historians, the period of the existence of the Arab caliphate is commonly called the "golden age of Islam," and the first thirty years after the death of Muhammad was the era of the righteous caliphs, which we will tell readers today. After all, it was these people who did a lot to strengthen the position of Islam and the Muslim state.
Righteous Caliphs: Names and Dates of Reign
The first caliphs converted to Islam during the life of the Prophet. They were well aware of all the nuances of life in the community, because they always helped Muhammad in managing the Ummah and were directly involved in military campaigns.
The four righteous caliphs were so respected by the people during their lives and after death that a special title was later coined for them, literally meaning "walking the righteous path." This phrase fully reflects the attitude of Muslims to their first rulers. Further caliphs of this title were not awarded, since they did not always come to power by honest means and were not close relatives of the Prophet.
According to the years of rule, the list of caliphs is as follows:
- Abu Bakr al-Siddik (632-634).
- Umar ibn al-Khattab al-Farooq (634-644).
- Usman ibn Affan (644-656).
- Ali ibn Abu Talib (656-661).
During his rule as a caliphate, each of the Muslims listed above did everything possible for the prosperity of the state. Therefore, I want to talk more about them.
The first righteous caliph: the path to the heights of power
Abu Bakr al-Siddiq was one of the first to believe the Prophet with all his heart and follow him. Before meeting with Muhammad, he lived in Mecca and was quite wealthy. His main activity was trade, which he continued to practice after the adoption of Islam.
Even in Mecca, he began active work on the development of the Muslim community. The righteous caliph Abu Bakr al-Siddik spent huge amounts of money on this and was engaged in the redemption of slaves. It is noteworthy that each of the slaves received freedom, but in exchange was to become Orthodox. We think it’s not worth saying that this transaction was very profitable for slaves. Therefore, the number of Muslims in Mecca grew rapidly.
After the Prophet decided to move to Medina, the future caliph went after him and even accompanied Muhammad when he was hiding in the cave from the sent killers.
Subsequently, the Prophet married the daughter of Abu Bakr al-Siddik, which made them blood relatives. After that, he went on military trips with Muhammad more than once, performed Friday prayers and led pilgrims.
In the six hundred and thirty-second year, the Prophet died, leaving no heirs and not appointing a new successor, and the Muslim community faced the choice of a new leader.
The reign of Abu Bakr
Companions of Muhammad could not agree on the candidacy of the caliph, and only after they recalled Abu Bakr's numerous merits to the Muslim community, the choice was made.
It is worth noting that the righteous caliph was a very kind and absolutely not conceited person, therefore, he also attracted other followers of the Prophet to the management, distributing the circle of duties between them.
Abu Bakr al-Siddik gained power in a very difficult time. After the death of Muhammad, many people and tribes turned their backs on Islam, who believed that now they can return to their former lives. They tore their contractual obligations to the caliphate and stopped paying taxes.
For twelve years, Abu Bakr took action to preserve and expand the borders of the caliphate. Under him, a regular army was formed, which managed to advance to the borders of Iran. At the same time, the caliph always advised his soldiers himself, forbidding them to kill women, infants and the elderly, as well as to mock enemies.
In the thirty-fourth year of the seventh century, the caliphate army began to conquer Syria, but the ruler of the state at that time was near death. To prevent conflicts in the caliphate, he himself chose a successor among his closest associates.
Second caliph
Umar ibn al-Khattab al-Farooq ruled a Muslim country for ten years. Initially, he was very skeptical against Islam, but once he happened to read the sura, and he became interested in the personality of the Prophet. After meeting with him, he was imbued with faith and was ready to follow Muhammad anywhere in the world.
Contemporaries of the second righteous caliph wrote that he was distinguished by incredible courage, honesty and selflessness. He was also very humble and pious. Very large sums of money passed through his hands as the chief counselor of the Prophet, but he never succumbed to temptation to enrich himself.
Umar ibn al-Khattab al-Farooq often took part in military battles and even married his beloved daughter to Muhammad. Therefore, it is not surprising that on his deathbed the first caliph called Umar exactly his successor.
Achievements of Umar ibn al-Khattab
The second righteous caliph did a lot for the development of the administrative system of the Muslim state. He created a list of individuals who received an annual allowance from the state. This register included the Companions of the Prophet, warriors, and members of their families.
Umar also laid the foundations of the tax system. Interestingly, it concerned not only cash payments, but also regulated relations between different citizens of the caliphate. For example, Christians did not have the right to build their homes above Muslim houses, have weapons, and publicly display their creeds. Naturally, the faithful paid taxes less than the conquered peoples.
The achievements of the second caliph include the introduction of a new system of calculus, the legal system and the construction of military camps in the conquered territories in order to prevent uprisings.
Umar ibn al-Khattab al-Farooq paid great attention to construction. He managed to consolidate the rules of urban development at the legislative level. The example of Byzantium was taken as the basis, and most of the cities of that time were distinguished by slender and wide streets with beautiful houses.
Over the ten years of his reign, the Caliph laid the foundations of national and religious unity. He was merciless to his enemies, but at the same time he was remembered as a just and active ruler. Many historians believe that it was during this period of time that Islam declared itself to be a strong and fully formed religious movement.
Third ruler of the caliphate
During his lifetime, Umar created a council of six of his closest associates. It was they who were to choose the new ruler of the state, which would continue the victorious march of Islam.
They became Usman ibn Affan, who had been in power for about twelve years. The third righteous caliph was not as active as his predecessor, but he belonged to a very ancient and noble family.
The Usman family converted to Islam even before the Prophet moved to Medina. But the relationship between the aristocratic clan and Muhammad was quite tense. Despite this, Usman ibn Affan would be married to the daughter of the Prophet, and after her death received an offer to marry his other daughter.
Many believe that the numerous ties of Usman made it possible to spread and strengthen Islam during the lifetime of Muhammad. The future caliph knew many noble families and thanks to his active work, a large number of people accepted Islam.
This strengthened the position of the then still small community and gave a powerful impetus to the creation of a religious state.
Caliph Usman's reign
If we describe these years briefly, we can say that the third caliph deviated from the principles that his predecessors adhered to. He placed family ties above all, thereby discarding the caliphate during the time of the proto-state.
Relatives and relatives of Usman had a penchant for money-grubbing and sought to enrich themselves at the expense of other residents of the caliphate. Naturally, this led to increased material inequality and unrest.
Surprisingly, during this difficult period, the borders of the caliphate continued to expand. This was facilitated by military conquests, but it was extremely difficult to keep the conquered peoples in obedience to the caliph.
As a result, this led to an uprising, as a result of which the caliph was killed. After his death, a bloody period of civil strife began in the state.
Fourth caliph
The righteous caliph Ali ibn Abu Talib, who became the fourth ruler of the "golden era", was a very unusual person. Of the whole galaxy of caliphs, he was the only blood relative of Muhammad. He was his cousin and second man to convert to Islam.
It so happened that Ali and the Prophet were brought up together. Therefore, it is not surprising that the Caliph married the daughter of Muhammad. Subsequently, two boys were born from their union, to whom the Prophet was very attached. He talked with his grandchildren for a long time and was a frequent guest in his daughter's family.
Ali often took part in military campaigns and was distinguished by simply legendary courage. However, until his election as a caliph, he did not hold important government posts.
Ali ibn Abu Talib as a caliph: an assessment of historians
Ali's personality seems to be extremely controversial to specialists. On the one hand, he did not possess organizational skills, politician talents, and a flexible mind. It was under him that the preconditions for the collapse of the caliphate were outlined, and the Muslims divided into Shiites and Sunnis. However, no one can deny his fanatical devotion to the cause of Muhammad and his loyalty to the chosen path. Moreover, untimely death elevated him to the rank of martyr. He is credited with many deeds and deeds worthy of the saint.
Based on the foregoing, historians conclude that Ali turned out to be a true Muslim, but could not keep the separatist attitude in the caliphate.