Was there no likelihood of an undesirable person installing...

Was there no likelihood of an undesirable person installing himself in power and elbowing out, by fair means or foul, a more fit and deserving person? 10 Were the people fit and qualified to choose the Caliph by election? 11 In view of the Prophet's claim that he was the last messenger of God to man, and that Islam was to continue till the end of the world, does it stand to reason that he would not give even a passing thought to the question of the succession?

12 In view of the fact that the Prophet claimed to have direct communion with God, is not this omission unbelievable? I will now expand on most of the above points in turn. Point (1): No Reasonable Grounds for the Prophet's Silence: Mr. S. KHUDA BAKHSH, a famous SUNNI historian, thinks, that he has discovered the reason.

He says "Muhammad, who issued laws and directions regarding quite unimportant questions and ceremonies, maintained as regards the constitution of the state the profoundest silence. The unbiased reader can scarcely find the smallest hint in the QUR'AN as to how the newly founded Islamic Empire was to be governed after his death.

Not only as an inspired Prophet did Muhammad fail to give any direction as to the most important branch of the law of the constitution, but even as a temporal ruler he made no arrangement as to be governed. No other reason for this silence can be suggested or accepted than his desire to avoid all reference to his death". S. KHUDA BAKHSH is a staunch SUNNI historian, and he has said many nasty things about the SHI'AS.

His well considered opinions quoted above are, therefore, of immense value in the present enquiry, and they conclusively prove many important points. I invite attention to the following: There is not the smallest hint the QUR'AN that democracy is favored by Islam. This knocks the bottom out of the whole controversy.

To say that all persons are equal in the eyes of Islamic law is one thing, and it is true; but to say that the constitution of the Islamic State is democratic is another, and there is no authority for it. The Prophet (P) maintained (as believed by the majority section) the profoundest silence about the important question of the Caliphate. The question of the succession to the Prophet was the most important branch of the Islamic law of the constitution.