The Golden age of Islam I Soon after the demise of the prophet of Islam, the fissures and divisions among various power brokers emerged with full might. Yemenese tribes versus Hejazi tribes, Meccan tribes versus Medinese tribes, Ansars versus Mahjaroons, the elite and the commoners of Quresh, Banu Ummayads versus Banu Hasham, the two groups of the wives of the prophet, Ayesha versus Ali and the Muslemeen versus Munafiqeen. It is also said that the prophet was poisoned during the battle of Kyber and while seriously ill, he asked for a paper and pencil to write down his will, but was prevented from doing so. It is also said that only seven individuals took part in the funeral rites of the founder of Islam while most of the stalwarts of Islam except Ali Bin Abi Talib, were busy in brokering power. It is also said that there were no formal funeral prayers at all. Al-Tabri states that soon after the death of the prophet severe differences emerged among the prophets companions, primarily among Ansars and mohajaroons, as to who would succeed him. There was absolutely nothing like Islamic brotherhood, principled politics or anything like sacrifice. The entire discourse revolved around tribalistic affiliations and crude attempts at grabbing power by all means. Muhajirs (Makkan emmigrants) and Ansaar (Madinites) each were demanding caliphate. Ansaars (Madinites) were adamant at first, yet they later concluded that there would be two caliphs; one from Makkans and another from Madinites. Umar declared Abu Bakr as the next Caliph yet several others opposed this election. Thus, Abu Bakr’s caliphate which began in June 632 AD was never unchallenged as others were independently following Ali as spiritual chief yet opposed Abu Bakr’s political leadership. The Shia-Sunni divide was already in place. The Shiites view is that Ali Ibn Abi Talib accepted Abu Bakr under compulsion as he received threats that Fatimas house would be burnt if Ali did not accept Abu Bakr as the next caliph. Later, Fatima approached Abu Bakr and demanded her share from the inheritance which included the oasis of Fadak. Abu Bakr refused and as per one tradition asked for proof of inheritance which she did not have. In another tradition it is stated that Abu Bakr narrated a saying of the prophet which said we do not leave behind inheritance but charity. Although there were many false prophets, yet Abu Bakr sent envoys and whichever chief opposed his caliphate, was without any waste of time accused of declaring himself a prophet and was executed. As many people who had embraced Islam soon after the conquest of Mecca began to revert to their previous belief systems, eleven military campaigns were launched by Abu Bakr and the apostates were ruthlessly butchered. That prevented many from leaving Islam. Khalid Bin Waleed, the military commander was initially assigned to neutralize internal dissensions and eliminate those who had converted leaving Islam. Later, he was to take up external military campaigns. Abu Bakr died in 634 AD. On his death bed, Abu Bakr nominated Umar as the next Caliph. Abu Bakrs will was that Muslims must continue with Jehad against the infidels.(to be continued) Incono Clast
Posted on: Mon, 11 Aug 2014 15:04:30 +0000
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