The Four

Khalifas
Rai Aun Iqbal

The Four
Caliphs
Hazrat Abu Bakr (632-634 A.D.)
Hazrat Umar (634-644 A.D.)
Hazrat Usman (644-656 A.D.)
Hazrat Ali (656-661 A.D.)

Hazrat Abu-Bakr Al-Siddique

He was the first Khalifa (Caliph).
Hazrat Abu-Bakr was the Holy Prophets closest friends, and was also related to
Holy Prophet (PBUH) as Hazrat Abu-Bakrs daughter wed Holy Prophet (PBUH).
After the death of the Holy Prophet the Islamic world faced many problems which
Hazrat Abu Bakr had to solve.
After the death of the Holy Prophet many people believed that the Prophets family
should lead the Ummah, but Hazrat Umar stood by Hazrat Abu Bakr.

Problems Faced by Hazrat Abu Bakr

Many false prophets appeared claiming that they were also messengers of Allah.
Hazrat Abu Bakr led campaigns against these false prophets and defeated these
false prophets.
He also defeated tribes trying to create alliances against the Muslims.
In spite that his reign period was short as it lasted only two years, Abu Bakr was
an ideal leader.

Hazrat Umar ibn Al-Khattb

Hazrat Umar ibn Al-Khattb was also one of the Holy Prophets (PBUH) closest
friends.
Hazrat Umar was a very influential, strong, and forgiving personality.
Hazrat Umar expanded the Islamic Empire and also strengthened its governance.
One major problem he faced was people refusing to pay zakat, he solved this by
setting up a proper system.

Hazrat Umar ibn Al-Khattbs Achievements as Caliph

Hazrat Umar fought and won many successful wars; such as
against Byzantine, Roman, and Persian Empires.
The biggest accomplishment was when the Muslims
conquered Jerusalem.
Hazrat Umar also set up governors, courts, and legal system
so the Muslims would have good governance.

Hazrat Usman
Hazrat Usman was the third caliph and was the Khalifa for 12 years, the most by
Khalifa.
Hazrat Usman was also the son in law of the Holy Prophet.
He directed Hazrat Zaid bin Sabit (R.A) to make multiple copies of the same
Quran written in the time of Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A).
This was very important as now no changes could be made to the Quran.

Hazrat Usman
Hazrat Usman also expanded the Islamic empire and spread the religion to many
new lands.
They took over Antalya and Asia Minor in the west including Cyprus. Afghanistan,
Samarkand, Tashkent, Turkmenistan, Khurasan and Tabaristan in the East and
North East; and Libya, Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco in North Africa.
Most of these lands are still dominated by Muslims because of the expansion
under Hazrat Usman.

Hazrat Ali
Hazrat Ali was also a member or Quraish tribe like all other Caliphs.
He was the son of Hazrat Abu-Talib
Hazrat Ali was taken under the care of the Holy Prophet at the age of five.
He was also the son in law of the Holy Prophet as he married Hazrat Fatima, the
daughter of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

Hazrat Ali Achievments

Hazrat Ali also expanded the Islamic Empire and fought wars
to expand it.
He changed the governors of the states.
Muawiya was a governor who fought Hazrat Ali, and Hazrat
Ali defeated him.

The Four Khalifas Summary and Personal Analysis

All four Khalifas were very important in their own ways. They all benefited Muslims
in their own ways. They all did their best to help spread Islam in its truest form.
Due to these four great leaders our religion is so strong till this day.
I learned a lot about these four people from the way they lead and how they lived
their lives; with honesty and simplicity.