A Critical Analysis of 'Real Islam'. Its People ... - Bukti dan Saksi

Chapter 5
Actions of the four "Rightly Guided" Caliphs
Previously it was mentioned we would review the actions of some of Muhammad’s closest
companions, particularly the four known as the "rightly guided" caliphs. Following Muhammad’s death
these men reigned over the Islamic empire, each one after the death of the previous one. These men are:
Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali (Muhammad’s son-in-law). Below is a brief timeline of some of their
actions and conquests. We can not detail all their military actions here, as they are much too numerous.
They ruled during a period of great Islamic expansion over other peoples and lands, and their writings
describing the conflicts and glorious conquest are the quite prolific. This information is drawn from
various volumes of the History of Tabari, op cit, the "History of Islam", by Robert Payne [27] , and "Jihad",
by Paul Fregosi [28] . These books will provide a more complete account of the Caliphs Islamic crusades.
Of important significance it should be noted that all these conquests were not defensive in nature, but
offensive. These men were conquering the world for Islam – exactly as Muhammad instructed. We should
also add that during Ali’s reign Islamic conquest paused slightly. The Islamic empire experienced its first
civil wars during Ali’s reign. All this occurred within a generation of Muhammad’s death.
Note that these men are correctly called ‘rightly guided’, as opposed to ‘wrongly guided’. This is
because of the universal recognition that they always acted in full compliance of true Islam as guided by
Muhammad’s final clear teachings and example. A review of history reveals conclusively that they
followed their prophets’ instructions to the letter in advancing Islam through military conquest …through
Jihad.
ABU BAKR’S REIGN
A.H. 11 (622, 623) Abu Bakr makes war upon the people of Yamana who wish to leave Islam.
A.H. 12 Muslim armies attack the Christians in Palestine.
UMAR’S REIGN
A.H. 13 Conquest of Damascus, Syria.
A.H. 14 & 15 Syria and Palestine conquered.
A.H. 15 – 21 Iraq, Southern Persia, and Egypt conquered.
UTHMAN’S REIGN
A.H. 24 Conquest in Northern Persia and Armenia.
A.H. 28 Attack on Cyprus.
ALI’S REIGN
During Ali’s reign there were two civil wars. The first Islamic civil war occurred between Ali,
Muhammad’s son-in-law, and Aisha, Abu Bakr’s daughter (a child Muhammad consummated a marriage
with when she was 9 years old). 13,000 Muslims died killing each other as Ali defeated Aisha. Not long
thereafter Ali fought Muwawiyya, Abu Sufyan’s son. Muwawiyya was appointed governor of Damascus /
Syria, and moved against Ali to take power. In the end, Ali won out as the two sides negotiated a peace of
some sorts. Not long afterwards, Ali was murdered by Muslims, as was Uthman prior to him, and also
Umar who was killed by a slave. In any case, after the ‘rightly guided Caliphs had all met untimely
violent deaths through murder and assassination, Muwawiyya then assumed power as Caliph.
As you can tell from that brief chronological summary, the Caliphs made war as aggressively as any
conquering nation or people in human history. They went on conquest after conquest. The message the
rightly guided leaders imposed with the sword at their hands was the same as Muhammad’s: convert, pay
extortion taxes, or die. Islam, real Islam, their Islam, was a religion of war, oppression, and conquest.
Below are Hadith dealing with the conquests and subjections of the Caliphs.
Bukhari 4.386: Narrated Jubair bin Haiya:
'Umar sent the Muslims to the great countries to fight the pagans. When Al-Hurmuzan embraced Islam, 'Umar
said to him. "I would like to consult you regarding these countries which I intend to invade." Al-Hurmuzan said,