Saqifa as an Important Event in the History of the Islamic World - Essay Example

SAQIFA Saqifa is a place where the first caliph of the Muslims was chosen by the Ansar and the Muhajireens after the death of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H). The place holds its historical importance due to the fact that Hazrat Abu Bakar, the first caliph was nominated here. Saqifa was an assembly hall in Madina where the people used to meet to discuss some important social and political issues. It was at this place that the Ansar had gathered after the death of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) to discuss one of the most important issues of the leadership crises that had arisen after the death of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H). The event takes its place from this assembly hall where Abu Bakar was appointed as the first caliph of the Muslims. Saqifa is also remembered as the first incident which led to the split of the Muslim community into Sunni and Shiite Muslims. The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) died on June 8th 632 (CE). After the death of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) Umer and Abu Bakar along with other Muslims had gathered at his residence. The followers of the Prophet were in mourning and were busy in the preparations for the burial of the Prophet. Abu Bakar, Umer and Obadiah were also there and were preparing for the funeral. At that time Umer came to know through secret information that Ansars had gathered at a place called Saqifa Bani Sa’idah to discuss the succession of the Prophet. Umer was told that the Ansar wanted to appoint a person from among themselves as the successor to the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H). The informer further advised Umer to go and look into the situation which looked grave or else the Ansar would nominate a person whose appointment could lead to a war between the Ansars and the Muhajireens. Upon hearing this Umar asked Abu Bakar to accompany him to Saqifa to look into the situation and to solve the matter amicably (Numani, 1908, pg.87). It has been recorded in the history that Abu Obadiah did not leave with the two companions from the residence of the Holy Prophet. He met the two on the way and upon hearing the gravity of the situation agreed to join them (Poonawalla, 1990, pg. 188). Ali was not with them at Saqifa because he was busy in the burial arrangements of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) (Rahim, 2001, pg. 57). It is also mentioned that two men tried to convince the three companions to abort their mission towards Saqifa which they rejected and continued to proceed (Poonawalla, 188-192). The Ansar had chosen Saad Ibn Obadiah, an Ansar, to succeed the Prophet. Umer, Abu Bakar and Abu Obadiah reached Saqifa just in time to prevent the appointment of Saad Ibn Obadiah as the successor of Holy Prophet (Rahim, 2001, Pg. 57). The meeting at Saqifa was predominantly an Ansar gathering with only three members of the Muhajireens. The Ansar consisted of both the groups of Aws and Khizraj. The Muhajireens included Abu Bakar, Umer and Abu Obadiah bin Jarrah. The Muhajireens were not informed about the meeting as a result of which only three members could attend the meeting. Among Ansars the prominent personalities included Abu Obadiah, Abdur Rahman bin Awf and Mundhir bin al Arqam (Poonawalla, 1990, Pg. 193). Umer wanted to make a speech which he had prepared in his mind. H shared the idea with Abu Bakar who told him to be patient and let him handle the situation. Umer had great respect for Abu Bakar so he agreed to obey him. The Ansar had made a list of their good deeds which they believed made them a rightful candidate for the leadership after Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H). Abu Bakar agreed with all the things that the Ansars had pointed out. At the same time he also mentioned that the Quraysh were the best in lineage and standing. He presented before them the hands of Umer and Abu Obadiah bin Jarrah and asked them to give their oath of allegiance to anyone of them who they thought was most suitable for the leadership (Poonawalla, 1990, pg. 193). It is further stated that Abu Bakar strongly advocated the right of Quraysh to the succession. Abu Bakar stated that the Quraysh were the first people to accept Islam and held great position among the Muslims. They were the noblest and were closest to the Prophet in relationship as well. Abu Bakar further stated that the Ansars were their brothers and partners in their religion. He was of the view that the Arabs would never accept anyone other than a member of the Quraysh clan for their leadership. It would therefore be wise for the Ansar to accept one of the Quraysh as the successor to the Holy Prophet (Poonawalla, 1990, pg. 193). It is mentioned in “Tarikh al Tabari” that Abu Bakar further stated that the Quraysh had been with the Holy Prophet at the time of great difficulties and had tolerated all the pain that had been inflicted upon them by their own members of the tribe for following the Prophet. They were with the Prophet at the time when he was alienated and opposed by everyone and were the first to worship one God (El- Awa, 1980, pg. 30). The nomination of Umer and Abu Obadiah was rejected by the two. Umer and Abu Obadiah refused to be given preference over Abu Bakar who they said was the companion of the Holy Prophet and was with him in the cave at the time of migration towards Madina. At this moment two held the hand of Abu Bakar. The Ansar also agreed to it. Abu Obadiah, Abdur Rahman bin Awf and others requested the Ansars to accept a member of the Quraysh clan as the rightful successor of the Holy Prophet. At this moment, a member of the Ansar clan, Hubab suggested a proposal of two caliphs, one from the Ansars and the other from the Quraysh. This proposal was totally rejected by Umer who stated that there could not be two swords in one sheath. He explained to the Ansar that the Arabs would never accept their rule. The Arabs would only accept the rule of a person who was a member of their clan. Only the falsely guided ones, the mistaken ones and the damned ones would oppose the Quraysh (AnsweringAnsar.org, n.d. pg.7). At that moment there was a heated discussion among the Ansars. Omer feared that the meeting would end without reaching a definite conclusion. Many voices were raised in favor and against the decision. There were some members among Ansar who wanted Ali to be the leader of the Muslims. Omer asked Abu Bakar to give his hand and announced his oath of allegiance to him. This was followed by majority of the members of the Ansar tribe who agreed to the decision of Abu Bakar as the successor of the Holy Prophet. Hence the issue was resolved without any disorder and conflict. The two parties accepted Abu Bakar with majority as the first caliph of the Muslims after the death of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (P. B.U.H) (Poonawalla, 1990, pg. 194). There was some opposition to the appointment of Abu Bakar as the leader of Muslims. Even Ali did not accept it initially on the basis that he was not consulted. Umer who initiated the allegiance to Abu Bakar later declared it as “Falta” or an issue resolved in haste but which saved the Muslims from dispute (Madelung, 1997, pg. 30). The Saqifa became the basis of the beginning of the Muslim hereditary system of Caliphate. The Ansar wanted to appoint a member of their tribe which was rejected by the members of the Quraysh. The proposal of one leader from the Ansar and one from the Quraysh was also not accepted by the Quraysh. They clearly stated that the leader will be from the Quraysh. This led to the foundation of the hereditary system of Caliphate (Khaldun, 2004.pg. 597). The Shiite Muslims make the event of Saqifa as the staring point of their dispute with the Sunni Muslims. According to them Ali was the most suitable candidate for the successor to the Holy Prophet. They make their basis on the speech of Abu Bakar. Ali was the closest to the Prophet since he was like a brother to the Prophet and his son in law being the husband of the Prophet’s favorite daughter. Ali was also among the first ones to accept Islam. The Shiites believe that if any member of Quraysh deserved leadership it was Ali. He fulfilled the criteria set by Abu Bakar for the post of the leader of the Muslims. Till this day the followers of Ali are of the view that Ali had been unjustly removed from the succession which was his rightful share (Poonawalla, 1990, pg. 194). The event of Saqifa has raised many questions. The decision of Umer to appoint Abu Bakar was not discussed by the general consensus which is the method approved by the Holy Prophet. Secondly the important issue of the burial of the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) was put aside and the succession to the leadership was given preference. Even the daughter of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) Fatima expressed her anger over the meeting at Saqifa. It is also indicated that the method of appointment of the caliphate was highly undemocratic (Poonawalla, 1990, pg. 194). Saqifa is an important event in the history of the Islamic world. The Saqifa incident is viewed differently by the Sunni and Shiite Muslims. The Sunni Muslims declare it a justified act. Whereas the Shiite Muslims declare it a conspiracy and a deliberate attempt to oust Ali from succeeding to the leadership after the death of the Prophet. According to them it was the divine right of Ali to lead the community according to the will of God. Anyways Saqifa event holds its importance politically and historically because it led to the establishment of the institution of caliphate which was the need of the time. References El- Awa, M.S. (1980). “On the Political System of Islamic State”. American Trust Publications. Indiana. Pg. 30. Khaldun, Ibn. (2004). “The Muqaddimah”, An Introduction to History, Translated by Franz Rosenthal, Princeton University Press. Pg. 597 Madelung, W. (1997). “The Succession to Muhammad”, Cambridge University Press, pg. 30. Numani, A. S. (1908), “Al Faruq”, Translated by Maulana Zafar Ali Khan,Vol. 1. Emdadia Library, pg. 87 Poonawalla, I. ( 1990). “An Account of the Saqifa”, The History of Al Tabari, The Last Years of the Prophet, State University of New York Press, Albany. pg. 188-194 Rahim. A. (2001). “A Short History of Islam”, Ishaque Press, Karachi, Pakistan. Pg. 57 “Saqifa- The Debacle of Islamic Government”, AnsweringAnsar.Org. Pg. 7. Retrieved on March 12, 2007 from www.answering-ansar.org/answers/saqifa/saqifa.pdf Read More