so Allah favored them by subjecting them to trials that would bring them to the rank of their household, just as He had tried those who were superior to them. For ʿAlī ibn Abī Tālib was superior to them both, and he was killed as a martyr.

The killing of al-Husayn stirred up strife among the people, just as the killing of ʿUthmān (may Allah be pleased with him) was among the greatest causes of strife. Because of it, the Muslim community remains divided to this day. Hence the hadith states:

“Three things—whoever escapes them has truly escaped: my death, the killing of a persecuting caliph, and the Dajjāl.”

The death of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) was among the greatest causes of the trials through which many people fell into apostasy and abandoned Islam. Then Allah Most High raised up al-Siddīq (may Allah be pleased with him), through whom He strengthened faith and restored matters to their former state. He brought the apostates back through the door by which they had departed and kept the believers firm upon the religion they had entered. Allah endowed him with strength, striving in His cause, firmness toward His enemies, and gentleness toward His allies. These and his other qualities made him worthy of being the successor to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace).

He then appointed ʿUmar as his successor. ʿUmar subdued the unbelievers among the Magians and the People of the Book, strengthened Islam, founded cities, instituted stipends, established the administrative register, spread justice, and upheld the Sunnah. During his reign, Islam gained such ascendancy that the truth of Allah Most High’s words became manifest:

“He is the One Who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to make it prevail over