THE QUESTION OF IMĀMAHLeadership of the Muslim community, particularly the caliphate and the leadership of the four Rightly Guided Caliphs.
The Fourth Flash

The title “The Path of the SunnahThe sayings, actions, and approvals of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) that serve as a model for Muslims. of the Prophet (saw)Sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam (Peace and blessings be upon him)” was deemed suitable for this treatise.

Although the question of imāmahLeadership of the Muslim community, particularly the caliphate and the leadership of the four Rightly Guided Caliphs. is a secondary matter, people have given it excessive importance, and it has come to be treated almost as though it were among the matters of īmānFaith; belief in the six articles of faith: Allah, His angels, His revealed scriptures, His prophets, the Hereafter, and divine decree (qadar).. Since it has also become a subject of consideration in ilm al-kalāmThe Islamic discipline that studies and defends the truths of faith within the framework of Islamic principles. and usūl ad-dīnThe fundamental principles of the Islamic faith, particularly its essential doctrines and matters of belief., and has thereby acquired a connection with our essential service to the Qur’an and īmānFaith; belief in the six articles of faith: Allah, His angels, His revealed scriptures, His prophets, the Hereafter, and divine decree (qadar)., we shall discuss it briefly.

بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحٖيمِIn the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate

لَقَدْ جَاۤءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ مِنْ اَنْفُسِكُمْ عَزِيزٌ عَلَيْهِ مَا عَنِتُّمْ حَرِيصٌ عَلَيْكُمْ بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَؤُفٌ رَحِيمٌIndeed, there has come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. Your suffering is grievous to him; he is deeply concerned for you, and toward the believers he is compassionate and merciful. – The Qur'an 9:128

فَاِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَقُلْ حَسْبِىَ اللّٰهُ لاَۤ اِلٰهَ اِلاَّ هُوَ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَهُوَ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِBut if they turn away, say: ‘Allah is sufficient for me. There is no god but Him. In Him I place my trust, and He is the Lord of the Mighty Throne. – The Qur'an 9:129

قُلْ لَٓا اَسْئَلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ اَجْرًا اِلَّا الْمَوَدَّةَ فِى الْقُرْبٰىSay: ‘I ask of you no reward for it, except love for the near of kin. – The Qur'an 42:23 

Through Two Stations, we shall point to two of the many truths contained within these exalted verses.

The First Station

It consists of four points.

The First Point

This point describes the perfect love, compassion, and mercy that the Noble Messenger (saw)Sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam (Peace and blessings be upon him) bears for his ummahThe worldwide Muslim community..

Indeed, it is established through a reliable narration that, when everyone—even all the prophets—will be preoccupied with themselves and plead for themselves during the Gathering in the Hereafter because of the dread of that Day, the Noble Messenger (saw)Sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam (Peace and blessings be upon him) will show his tenderness and compassion toward his ummahThe worldwide Muslim community. with the words: “Ummatīmijn ummah, ummatīmijn ummah.” It is also affirmed by the ahl-i kashfSpiritually elevated people who, by Allah’s permission, can perceive certain matters of the unseen. that, when he was born, his mother heard him saying “Ummatīmijn ummah, ummatīmijn ummah” in a supplicating tone. His entire biography, together with his extraordinary character filled with radiant compassion, likewise bears witness to his perfect tenderness and mercy. Moreover, by seeking the countless salawātPrayers asking Allah to bestow blessings and peace upon Prophet Muhammed (pbuh). of his ummahThe worldwide Muslim community., he displayed his boundless compassion toward them, for he showed that he was concerned with the happiness of them all.

Indeed, you may well understand what a lack of gratitude and what a want of conscience it is not to follow the SunnahThe sayings, actions, and approvals of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) that serve as a model for Muslims. of such a loving and compassionate guide.