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KHILAFAT-E-RASHIDAH
this verse? The answer is that there is no doubt that the previous Khulafa’ were bestowed Khilafat either by way of Prophethood or in the shape of kingdom, but the resemblance does not mean complete identity in everything. Resemblance is only seen in principle. To illustrate, we may talk of the heights of two persons and say one is as tall as the other. There would be no point in someone’s asserting that they do not resemble each other because one of them is a thief and the other is a devoted worshipper; or that one is the scholar and the other is illiterate. In this case, resemblance will only be seen in height and not in other traits. There are instances of this in the Holy Quran. Allah, the Almighty says:
(Al-Muzzammil, 73:16)
“Verily, We have sent to you a Messenger, who is a witness over you, even as We sent a Messenger to Pharoah.” Allah, the Almighty has pointed out the resemblance of the Holy Prophetsa and Hadrat Musaas (Moses), whereas Hadrat Musaas (Moses) was sent to Pharoah and the Holy Prophetsa was not sent to any such king. Similarly Hadrat Musaas (Moses) was sent for the guidance of Bani Isra’il but the Holy Prophetsa was sent for the guidance of the whole world. The period of the Prophethood of Hadrat Musaas (Moses)