In the name of Allah, the most gracious and most merciful. The most asked and thinkable question came to the mind of many people who don't know Islam much. Here is a short paragraph about Khulafa-e-Rashideen. Khulafa-e-Rashideen means rightly guided and they are superior to others' sahaba-e-karaam. They truly followed in the footsteps of our beloved last Prophet (ﷺ) and became the successors after Him (ﷺ). There are four main caliphates (khulafa-e-rashideen),

1. Hazrat Abu-Bakr Siddique

2. Hazrat Umar-e-Farooq

3. Hazrat Usman-e-Ghani

4. Hazrat Ali

Hazrat Abu-Bakr Siddique

Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (R.A) was the First Caliph. His name was Abdullah, and his titles include “Siddique” (the truthful) and “Ateeque” (free from hell-fire). He was born in the Holy City of Mecca about two years after the birth of the Prophet (ﷺ). He was a sincere, respected and wealthy man who was blessed to be the first man to embrace Islam. Hazrat’s love for the Prophet (ﷺ) was so immense that he never left Holy Prophet’s (ﷺ) side and even migrated with the Prophet (ﷺ) to Madina Sharif, leaving his entire family in Makkah Sharif. All his wealth and possessions were sacrificed in the name of Islam. He freed many enslaved people, Hazrat Bilal (R.A) being one of them. As well as being a very near and dear friend of the Prophet (ﷺ), he later became His (ﷺ) ‘s father-in-law. Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (R.A) passed away at 63 and is buried next to the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) in Madina Shareef. The Holy Prophet (ﷺ) once said, “It is incumbent upon my Ummah to love Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (R.A) and be thankful to him”.

Hazrat Umar-e-Farooq

Hazrat Farooq-e-Azam (R.A) was the Second Caliph. His name was 'Umar Abu Hafs', and his titles include “Farooq” (the one who distinguishes between right and wrong) and “Azam” (the great one). He was born in the Holy City of Makkah about 12 years after the birth of the Prophet (ﷺ). He was a strong, brave, intelligent man feared throughout Mecca. He was the 40th person to embrace Islam. His conversion proved to be of immense value to the promotion and glory of Islam. He participated in all the battles of Islam with the Prophet (ﷺ) and spent all his wealth on the cause of Islam. He also took the Prophet (ﷺ) and a small group of Muslims into the Holy Kaaba to offer Namaz for the first time in history. Hazrat Umar Farooque (R.A) later became the Father-in-law of the Prophet (ﷺ). At the age of 63, whilst reading Fajr Namaz, he was martyred (in Sajda) by a Jew and is buried next to the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) and Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (R.A).

Hazrat Usman-e-Ghani

Hazrat Usman Ghani (R.A) was the Third Caliph. His name was Usman bin Affaan, and his titles included “Al Ghani” (The Generous) and “Zun Noorain” (Possessor of Two Lights). He was born in the Holy City of Makkah about six years before the birth of the Prophet (ﷺ). He was from an intelligent, respected, and very wealthy family. At the invitation of Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A), He (R.A) embraced Islam. Hazrat Usman (R.A) was a generous and humble person. Suppose any person spoke to him harshly; he always replied gently. He (R.A) donated a massive amount of property in the name of Islam, thus gaining the title of “Ghani” by the Prophet (ﷺ). Although extremely rich, he lived a simple life. The Holy Prophet (ﷺ) gave two of His Daughters in Nikkah to Hazrat Usman Ghani (R.A), giving him the title of “Zun Noorain”. At 84, whilst reading the Quran, Hazrat Usman Ghani (R.A) was martyred. He is buried in the blessed graveyard of Madina Shareef, called “Janath al Baqi”.

Hazrat Ali

Hazrat Ali Murtaza (R.A) was the Fourth Caliph. His name was Ali Abul Hasan, and his titles include “Haidar” (Lion) and “Baabul I’lm” (Gate of Knowledge). He was born in the Holy City of Makkah about 30 years after the Prophet (ﷺ). His blessed birth took place inside the Holy Kaaba. He was the cousin brother of the Prophet (ﷺ) and was the first child to embrace Islam at the age of 10. Hazrat Ali (R.A) ‘s character is a perfect role model for Muslims today. His qualities include Honesty, Piety, Justice and a Love of Truth. Hazrat Ali (R.A) also possessed extraordinary knowledge and wisdom. Although Hazrat Ali (R.A) was poor, he had a very generous heart. Nobody returned empty-handed from his door. Hazrat Ali (R.A) took part in many battles and fought very bravely in all the actions he took part, thus being blessed with the title of “Asaadullah” (Lion of Allah). Hazrat Ali (R.A) became the Son in Law of the Prophet (ﷺ) by marrying His (ﷺ) ‘s youngest daughter Sayyidah Bibi Fatima (R.A). At 63, Hazrat Ali (R.A) was martyred whilst going to the Masjid. He (R.A) is buried in the city of Najaf (Iraq).