Politics in Islam (48): The Immediate Succession – A Testament to Islam’s Political Framework
The momentous event of the Prophet Muhammad's ﷺ passing marked not only the end of divine revelation but also the beginning of a new chapter in the political life of the Muslim Ummah. What followed immediately after his death is a powerful indicator of the centrality of political governance in Islam.
The Ansar, the loyal inhabitants of Madinah who had supported and protected the Prophet ﷺ, gathered swiftly in the courtyard of Banu Sa'ida (Saqīfah Banī Sāʿidah). Their concern was not grief alone, but the urgent need to appoint a successor—a leader to manage the affairs of the community and ensure the continuity of the political and social order established by the Prophet ﷺ.
When the Muhājirūn (the Emigrants from Makkah) heard of the gathering, a delegation of them—led by Abu Bakr and ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (may Allah be pleased with them)—immediately joined the discussion. These were not ordinary companions; they were among the closest to the Prophet ﷺ, and their attendance signaled the gravity of the situation.
The Critical Lesson from Saqīfah
One must pause and reflect: the Prophet ﷺ had just passed away, and yet the Companions prioritized the appointment of a political leader even before completing the burial rites. This is not to say they lacked reverence or love for the Messenger ﷺ—on the contrary, their love for him was unmatched. But their understanding of Islam was complete: they knew that the leadership of the Ummah could not be left vacant, even for a short while. The community required guidance, structure, and authority. Delay in appointing a leader could result in discord, confusion, and vulnerability.
The event of Saqīfah is a testament to the fact that governance is not an optional or secondary concern in Islam. It is a pillar of the Ummah's cohesion and function. Had the issue of leadership been merely a worldly affair, or a matter outside the scope of religion, then the Companions would have delayed it until after the burial. But they didn’t—and that choice speaks volumes.
Islam is a Comprehensive Way of Life
This event clearly affirms that Islam encompasses not just spiritual and moral guidance, but also political structure. It is not a faith that isolates the mosque from the marketplace, or the pulpit from the palace. Islam came to establish justice, preserve unity, protect rights, and prevent oppression—all of which necessitate an organized political authority.
Unfortunately, many today fall into the trap of projecting Western historical experiences onto Islam. The cry for “separation of religion and state” in Europe emerged as a result of the oppressive control of the Church, the corruption of religious institutions, and centuries of intellectual stagnation. But that is not the history of Islam. The Prophet ﷺ was both a messenger and a statesman. He established treaties, led armies, administered justice, and built a society that blended the spiritual with the political in perfect harmony.
To invoke the Western narrative to justify sidelining Islam from governance is a historical and intellectual fallacy. The Islamic model did not produce dark ages—it produced civilization, scholarship, justice, and an Ummah that led the world in various disciplines for centuries.
Reclaiming the Political Dimension of Islam
The early Muslims understood that political leadership was not an afterthought—it was a religious necessity. Today, the Ummah finds itself scattered, weakened, and disenfranchised in many parts of the world. Much of this stems from our loss of confidence in Islam as a comprehensive system of life, including its political framework.
Reviving the political dimension of Islam is not about chasing power for its own sake. It is about restoring justice, serving the people, and ensuring that governance operates under divine guidance rather than human whim. It is about returning to a model where rulers are accountable to the Shariah, and where the welfare of the people is prioritized over personal gain or foreign interests.
Conclusion
The immediate rush to establish leadership after the Prophet's ﷺ death was not a mere historical event—it was a profound message to the generations to come. It was a living example that Islam is not complete without a system of governance rooted in its values. To ignore this dimension is to misunderstand Islam itself.
Let us not forget that the Prophet ﷺ left behind a model that combined the sacred and the civic, the mosque and the marketplace, the prayer and the policy. And in following that model lies the key to restoring the dignity and unity of this Ummah.
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