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LOYALTY TO THE CALIPH

661

“Authority among the Children of Israel was exercised by prophets. When a prophet, died he was succeeded by another prophet. I will not be succeeded by a prophet, but there will be caliphs after me, a large number of them.

He was asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, what then do you command us?’ He said, ‘Be loyal to them according to your allegiance in succession, and render to them that which is due to them, and ask Allah for that which is due to you. Allah will take them to account in respect of that which is committed to them.’"

Bukhari and Muslim with a chain up to Abu Hurairah who related that the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, said this.