his sword against them was a sword of truth, and shall remain so until the Hour comes. Likewise, the sword of the fourth caliph, Alī ibn Abī Tālib, may Allah be pleased with him, against the Kharijites was a sword of truth, and shall remain so until the Hour comes.

Through their caliphates, Allah the Generous strengthened His religion. They humbled the enemies, and the cause of Allah prevailed, however much the polytheists detested it. They established noble precedents for Muslims and were a blessing to all those in the ummah of Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, who belong to the people of the Sunnah and the united community.

As for what has been reported from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, Safīnah, the freedman of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, narrated: I heard the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, say, “The caliphate will last thirty years.” He then said: Abū Bakr held office for two years, Umar for ten, Uthmān for twelve, and Alī for six; and it was in this order that they were entrusted with it. Abū Bakr likewise narrated something similar from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. He, peace and blessings be upon him, also said, “The leaders are from Quraysh.” There are also the Prophet’s words, peace and blessings be upon him: “You must adhere to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided caliphs. Hold fast to it with your molar teeth.” We shall cite the sunnahs and transmitted reports concerning this.