Indexed OCR Text

221
The Life of Muhammad
والمقصود أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قدم أبا بكر إماما للصحابة كلهم في الصلاة
التي هي أكبر أركان الإسلام العملية. قال الشيخ أبو الحسن الأشعري وتقديمه له أمر
معلوم بالضرورة من دين الإسلام. قال وتقديمه له دليل على أنه أعلم الصحابة وأقرأهم لما
ثبت في الخبر المتفق على صحته بين العلماء أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال يؤم
القوم أقرأهم كتاب الله فإن كانوا في القراءة سواء فأعلمهم بالسنة فإن كانوا في السنة
سواء فأكبرهم سنا فإن كانوا في السن سواء فأقدمهم مسلما (إسلاما). قلت وهذا من
كلام الأشعري رحمه الله مما ينبغي أن يكتب بماء الذهب. ثم قد اجتمعت هذه الصفات
كلها في الصديق رضي الله عنه وأرضاه.
"The purpose of this is that Rasūlullah & appointed Abu Bakr
over all the Sahabah for the salah which is the greatest physical
tenets of Islam. Shaykh Abul Hasan al-Ash'arī says:
[Rasūlullah ] appointing him over all the Sahabah is a matter
that is known with certainty in the religion of Islam.
Appointing him over all the Sahabah is proof that he is the most
knowledgeable among them and the one who recites the Qur'an
the best among them. Because it is established from a Hadith
whose authenticity is accepted by all scholars that Rasūlullah
said: 'The person who has knowledge of the Qur'an the most
should lead the the people in salah. If they are equal in this
regard, the person with the most knowledge of the Sunnah
should lead them. If they are equal in this regard, the eldest
among them should lead them. If they are equal in age, the one
who embraced Islam the earliest among them should lead
them.' These words of al-Ash'arī rahmatullahi 'alayh ought to
be written in gold. Now all these qualities and attributes were
found in Abu Bakr 4%."]
1 Al-Bidāyah wa an-Nihāyah, vol. 5, p. 236.

222
The Life of Muhammad
The Shi'ah agree that 'Alī 4% and 'Abbas 4% were frequently
going into and coming out of the room of Rasulullah . Despite
this, he did not order anyone but Abu Bakr 4% to lead the people
in salāh.
Based on this appointment of Rasulullah , the Sahabah
used this as a proof of the eligibility of Abu Bakr % for the
caliphate. Ibn 'Asākir rahmatullahi 'alayh quotes the statement
of 'Alī % that he used to say: "When Rasulullah * appointed
Abu Bakr for the imamate, we were present, we were not
absent. We were healthy, we were not ill. Since Rasulullah
was happy to appoint him as our leader in matters of our din
(acts of worship) why should we not be happy to appoint him
as our leader for our worldly affairs (political leadership)?"
Moreover, in his final sermon, Rasulullah % ordered that all
doors leading to the musjid should be closed apart from the
door of Abu Bakr 4%. These and various other statements were
clear references to his superiority and his taking over the reins
of caliphate. Those who were present considered these
references to be in place of explicit instructions.
4. Removal of a misunderstanding
The following is narrated in Musnad of Imam Ahmad from
Sa'd ibn Abī Waqqās
أمر رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بسد الأبواب الشارعة في المسجد وترك باب علي.
(المسند لأحمد ج1 ص175)
"Rasūlullah ordered that all the doors leading to the musjid
should be closed and only the door of 'Ali 4% should be left."
This narration is in conflict with the narration of Imam Bukhārī
and Imam Muslim wherein it is clearly stated that only the door
of Abu Bakr 4% should be left open.

223
The Life of Muhammad %
The reply to this is that the narration of Imam Ahmad is not on
the same level of authenticity as that of Imam Bukhari and
Imam Muslim. Assuming it was on the same level, the
narration of the other two imams will abrogate the narration of
Imam Ahmad because it was an order of Rasūlullah % during
his final illness while the order concerning the door of 'Alī
was a previous order which Rasulullah ¿ issued at the time
when the musjid was being constructed and 'Alī % used to
come and go through the musjid door. As for the narration
wherein Abu Bakr 4% is mentioned, this order was issued three
days before Rasūlullah's demise. The principle is that the
latter order abrogates the former order.
5. The period of Abu Bakr's % imamat
Imām Zuhrī rahmatullāhi 'alayh quotes from Abū Bakr ibn Abī
Saburah that Abu Bakr 4% led the people for 17 salahs. Others
are of the opinion that it was for 20 salahs.1
'Allamah Suhayli says that Hasan al-Basri narrates that
Rasūlullah % remained ill for 10 days out of which Abu Bakr
led the people in salah for 9 days. On the 10th day Rasūlullah
came to the musjid with the support of Usamah and Fadl ibn
'Abbas and offered the salah behind Abu Bakr 4%. This Hadith
is narrated by Dāraqutnī and is considered to be a rare (gharīb)
Hadith.2
6. Date of Rasūlullah's _ demise
All the 'ulama' are unanimous that Rasulullah' demise was
on a Monday in the month of Rabi' al-Awwal. However, there
is difference of opinion with regard to the exact date. It is
1 قال الزهري عن أبي بكر بن أبي سبرة أن أبا بكر صلى بهم سبع عشرة صلاة وقال غيره عشرين صلاة. كذا في البداية
والنهاية ج. 5 ص. 235.
2 Ar-Raud al-Anif, vol. 2, p. 369.

224
The Life of Muhammad
popularly considered to be the12th. However, an objection to
this is that it is unanimously accepted that on the Farewell
Pilgrimage, Rasūlullah % was at 'Arafat on a Friday. From this
we learn that the 9th of Dhul Hijjah was a Friday while the 1st of
Dhul Hijjah was a Thursday. In such a situation, in the
following year, the 12th of Rabi' al-Awwal cannot be on a
Monday irrespective if all the months, viz. Dhul Hijjah,
Muharram and Safar, are of 30 days each, 29 days each or some
are 29 days while others are 30 days. Based on this objection,
some scholars consider the date of his demise to be the 13th,
some the 14th, some the 15th, while others remain silent in this
regard as stated by Hafiz Ibn Rajab in Latā'if al-Ma 'arif. Other
'ulamā' say that it is possible that there is difference in dates
between Makkah and Madinah because of the difference in
times between the two cities. And that if the 1st of Rabi' al-
Awwal in Madinah was a Thursday, the 12th would be on a
Monday. Allah knows best.1
Ibn Kathīr rahmatullahi 'alayh says that this narration of Imam
Bukhārī is clear proof that Rasūlullah % was unable to join the
fajr salah of Monday. Because he did not have the strength, he
returned. The words of Sahih Bukhārī are:
وأرخى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم الحجاب فلم يقدر عليه حتى مات
"The Prophet # lifted the curtain and was unable to proceed
[for the salah] and he then passed away."
Imam Bayhaqī rahmatullahi 'alayh writes that there is a
narration which states that Rasulullah # joined in the fajr
salah. However, it is an incorrect assumption of the narrator,
because the narrations of Imam Bukhārī rahmatullahi 'alayh
and Imām Muslim rahmatullahi 'alayh clearly state that he did
1 For further details refer to the Fatawa of Maulana 'Abdul Hayy Lucknowi
rahmatullahi 'alayh in volume three.

225
The Life of Muhammad %
not join the fajr salah. The narrator is confusing it with
Rasūlullah's joining the zuhr salah of the previous day. The
last salah which Rasulullah % offered with congregation in the
musjid was the zuhr salah of Thursday, after which he
delivered a sermon. The next three days, Friday, Saturday and
Sunday, Rasulullah ¿ could not come to the musjid. On
Monday morning, he appeared from his room but was unable to
continue. He therefore returned.1
A narration of Hasan al-Basrī rahmatullahi 'alayh states that
Rasūlullah % remained ill for 10 days and Abu Bakr 4% led the
salah for nine days.2
When a Prophet is departing from this world and he appoints
someone in his place in order to lead the salah, it is similar to a
king appointing someone to his throne when he leaves the
country to go somewhere. The straw mat on which the Prophet
offers his salah is far more superior to the throne of a king. It is
for this reason that the Sahabah > pledged their allegiance to
Abu Bakr % after the demise of Rasulullah % and made him
their spiritual and political leader and imam. Just as it is
necessary for a Prophet to be superior to his ummah, in like
manner the deputy of a Prophet can only be a person who is the
most superior in the ummah. Superiority and being the deputy
of a Prophet are inseparable. The Righteous Caliphate entails
being the deputy of the Prophet. It is not a worldly succession
to the throne. It is for this reason that the Sahabah & chose a
person whom they considered to be most superior to be the
caliph of Rasūlullah .
It is also learnt from the above that Abu Bakr % remained the
imam for the salah till the very end of Rasulullah's life. The
1
Zurqānî, vol. 8, p. 274.
2 Raud al-Anif, vol. 3, p. 369.

226
The Life of Muhammad
Shi'ah claim that Rasūlullah
removed him from this post is
absolutely baseless.1
7. Sagīfah Banī Sa'idah and the pledge of allegiance
Rasūlullah % departed from the fleeting world to the eternal life
of the hereafter on Monday afternoon. On hearing this news,
the Sahabah & were left in a stupor. Some of them felt that he
had not died as yet. This was based on their extreme love for
him and not due to misunderstanding. On hearing this news,
Abu Bakr 4% came very sadly and dejectedly into Madinah and
consoled the SahabahA.
On that evening, someone came and informed Abu Bakr % that
the Ansar had gathered in the Saqīfah Banī Sa'idah and that
they want to pledge their allegiance to Sa'd ibn Abī 'Ubadah
. Some Ansar were also saying that one leader should be
from them and another from the Quraysh. Some of the Ansar
felt that they were eligible for the caliphate because they had
helped the religion, gave refuge to Rasulullah % and joined him
in waging jihad against the enemies of Allah . Some of the
other Ansar objected to this. The discussions in this regard
continued. This news gradually reached Abu Bakr and
'Umar 4%. They both went to Saqifah Banī Sa'idah together
with Abū 'Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah
in order to control the
situation just in case sedition breaks out. They met 'Asim ibn
'Adīyy and 'Uwaym ibn Sa'idah on the way. These two tried to
stop them from proceeding. But they continued and rushed to
where the Ansar were meeting. Mutual discussions then
ensued.
When they reached the Saqīfah Banī Sa'idah, Sa'd ibn 'Ubadah
was present there. He was sitting down with a blanket
1 Zurqānî, vol. 8, p. 274.

227
The Life of Muhammad
around him. He was ill but the Ansar brought him to the
meeting so that they could appoint him as the leader.
The speech of Sa'd ibn 'Ubadah
Sa'd ibn 'Ubadah 4% stood up and after praising and glorifying
Allah , he delivered the following speech:
"We, are the Ansar - the helpers of Islam and the army of
Islam. And you, Quraysh, are a small group among us (i.e. we
are in the majority while you are in the minority). A small
group of your people came and sought refuge with us. Now
they want to snatch away our right to the caliphate."
Another narration states that Sa'd ibn 'Ubādah
said the
following in his speech:
"O group of Ansar! You surpassed others [in embracing Islam]
and enjoy a virtue that no other Arabs enjoy. Muhammad
lived among his own people for over 10 years, inviting them,
but only a few believed in him. They were so few that they
were unable to defend him, to give honour to his religion nor to
stop the oppression of an enemy. When Allah decided to give
you virtue, He conveyed the means of honour to you and
blessed you with īman in Him and in His Messenger %. He
gave you the ability to defend His Messenger and his
Companions, and to wage jihad against his enemies. You were
the firmest against his enemies until the Arabs submitted to the
order of Allah % willingly and unwillingly. Even those who
lived far away were vanquished and submitted before him. The
Arabs became obedient to His Messenger # through your
swords. Allah kg then caused him to leave this world in a state
that he was pleased and delighted with you. You should take up

228
The Life of Muhammad %
this position [of caliphate] because it is your right and no one
else's."1
Those who were present liked this speech tremendously and
they all expressed their agreement. Discussions in this regard
ensued and the Muhajirun raised their objection by saying: "We
are the first Companions of Rasulullah . We were the first
ones to believe in him and we belong to his tribe. We emigrated
with him, leaving behind our families, relatives, homeland and
everything else and came here." The Ansar said: "We should
rather have two leaders, one from the Muhajirun and one from
the Ansar. Both of them should take up the responsibility of the
caliphate and work together for the general good." On hearing
this, Sa'd ibn 'Ubādah
said: "This would entail the first
weakness [in Islam]."
'Umar 4% wanted to say something but Abu Bakr 4% asked him
to remain silent. Since he did not want to displease Abu Bakr
he sat down. Abu Bakr
% then delivered the following
speech:
,
Abu Bakr's 4% speech
Abu Bakr 4% stood up, and after praising and glorifying Allah
Als, delivered the following speech:
"Allah sent a Messenger among us who would watch over the
ummah so that they may worship Allah alone. Previously, they
used to worship many idols made of rock and wood. It was
difficult for the Arabs to leave the religion of their forefathers.
Allah thus gave special inspiration to the early emigrants
(Muhajirūn) from his people to believe him, to support him, to
remain patient over the severe hardships that were imposed by
his people, and their rejection of him. All the people were
1 Ibn al-Athîr, vol. 2, p. 125.

229
The Life of Muhammad
against him and his supporters. Despite their small number,
they were not intimidated by their opponents and they did not
abandon him. So they were the first people on earth to worship
Allah and to believe in Allah and the Messenger. They are the
Messenger's associates and family. They are more eligible for
this caliphate than others. None but a wrongdoer can dispute
with them in this matter. As for you, O Ansar! None can deny
your virtue in religion nor your early acceptance of Islam.
Allah was pleased with you as the helpers of His religion and
His Messenger, and He promulgated the emigration towards
you. After the early emigrants, you enjoy the highest status. We
are therefore the leaders while you are the ministers. Your
counsel will be sought and no matter will be decided without
consulting with you."1
Another narration states that Abu Bakr
es gave the following
reply to the Ansar:
"Your merits which you enumerated are certainly found in you.
However, the Arabs will not recognize the caliphate for anyone
but the Quraysh because they are considered to be the most
superior in their lineage and their place of residence
[Makkah]." (Bukhārī, Kitab al-Muhāribīn)
What Abu Bakr 4% meant by this was that a caliph should be
from a people whose leadership and genealogical honour are
widely accepted so that people may unanimously accept his
leadership. And that they do not consider it beneath them to
follow and obey him. As long as any type of honour, virtue and
merit is not accepted, people are not ready for any type of
obedience. Instead, they consider him to be low and
contemptible. Abu Bakr 4% wanted to show to them that the
virtue and merit of the Quraysh was accepted by all the Arabs.
1 Ibn Athîr, vol. 2, p. 125.

230
The Life of Muhammad
They do not look up to the Aus and Khazraj with any real
honour and respect. Therefore, if anyone from the Ansar was
appointed as the leader, the Arab tribes will not be prepared to
follow and obey him. The general masses of the country will
not unanimously accept his leadership. The most important
thing concerning the caliphate and leadership is that the people
must accept the leader, and they must be united and unanimous
about his leadership.
Another Tradition states that Abu Bakr 4% addressed the Ansar
saying:
"O group of Ansar! I take an oath by Allah that we do not deny
your virtue and your sacrifices in Islam. Nor of your incumbent
right over us. But you know that the Quraysh hold a certain
position among the Arabs which is not shared by anyone else.
The Arabs will never rally around anyone but someone from
them. We shall therefore be the leaders and you will be the
ministers. Fear Allah, then, and do not be the first ones to split
Islam and do not be the first ones to introduce innovations in
Islam. It is my opinion that one of these two men are
appropriate for the leadership, 'Umar and Abū 'Ubaydah.
Whichever of the two you pledge allegiance to will be worthy
of your trust and confidence."1
After this speech of Abu Bakr 4%, Khabbab ibn al-Mundhir ibn
al-Jamuh stood up and said that it would be appropriate to
appoint one leader from the Ansar and one from the Muhajirūn.
Abu Bakr 4% replied that Rasulullah % said that the leaders
should be from the Quraysh.
'Allamah Qarī says that this Hadith is authentic and it has been
narrated by 40 Sahabah . As stated in Sharh ash-Shama'il of
'Allāmah Qārī, vol. 2, p. 219.
1 Kanz al- 'Ummāl, vol. 3, p. 139.

231
The Life of Muhammad %
Muhammad ibn Ishaq narrates that Abu Bakr
said the
following:
"It is not permissible for the Muslims to have two leaders. If
this were to happen, their orders and commands would differ,
the unity of the Muslims will be scattered and they will differ
with each other. When this happens, the Sunnah will be
abandoned, innovations will come to the fore, and sedition will
increase. There is no good for anyone in all this. This matter of
caliphate will remain among the Quraysh as long as they obey
Allah and they remain steadfast on His commands. This Hadith
has reached you or you have heard it from Rasulullah : 'Do
not differ, or else you will become cowardly and your power
will dissipate. Remain patient for Allah is with the patient
ones.' So we shall be the leaders and you the ministers. You are
our brothers in Islam and our helpers and supporters in it."1
'Umar said: "How sad! Can there be two swords in one
sheath !? Can a woman have two husbands !? "2 In other words,
one country cannot have two rulers. 'Umar's % reply was a
rational reply while that of Abu Bakr 4% was a Traditional reply
- he quoted a clear statement of Rasūlullah . Bashir ibn Sa'd
Ansārī said: "I have also heard this Hadith from Rasulullah ."
Other Ansār and Muhajirun also affirmed this Hadīth. Khabbab
ibn al-Mundhir 4% and other Ansar who were persistent on
having a caliph from the Ansar also changed their opinions
after hearing this Hadith. The noise and clamour with regard to
the matter of caliphate all subsided and everyone remained
silent.
1 Kanz al- 'Ummāl, vol. 3, p. 137.
2 وفي رواية (أي عن عمر) قلت سيفان في غمد واحد لا يكونان هيهات لا يجتمع فحلان في معرس. كذا في السيرة الحلبية
ج.3 ص. 358. ووقع في حديث سالم بن عبيد عند البزار وغيره في قصة الوفاة فقالت الأنصار منا أمير ومنك أمير. فقال
عمر وأخذ بيد أبي بكر: أسیفان في غمد واحد لا يصطلحان ... الخ. کذا في فتح الباري ج. 7 ص. 25.

232
The Life of Muhammad
Zayd ibn Thabit
,
the scribe of Rasulullah
, said:
"Rasūlullah was from the Muhajirun. His caliph should
therefore be from the Muhajirun. Just as we had been the
helpers and supporters of Rasūlullah , we shall remain the
helpers and supporters of Rasūlullah's ¿ deputy." He then held
the hand of Abu Bakr 4% and said: "This is your caliph, pledge
allegiance to him."
Sa'd ibn 'Ubadah's 4% acknowledgement
Imam Ahmad ibn Hambal rahmatullahi 'alayh narrates in his
Musnad that when Rasulullah * passed away, Abu Bakr 4% was
at his house. [When he heard of Rasūlullah's % demise] he
immediately came to Rasūlullah , removed the sheet from his
face, kissed him and said: 'May my parents be sacrificed for
you. You are so pure, both alive and dead. I take an oath by the
Lord of the Ka'bah that Muhammad has passed away.' The
narrator then related the rest of the Hadith. He says: Abu Bakr
and 'Umar then went to [the Saqifah Banī Sa'idah] and spoke
to the Ansar. Abu Bakr 4% addressed them and enumerated all
the virtues and merits of the Ansar. He said to them: 'You
know that Rasulullah % said that if the people were to choose to
travel through a particular valley while the Ansar chose another
valley, he would travel through the valley chosen by the Ansar.
And you know very well, O Sa'd, that on one occasion you
were sitting in the assembly of Rasūlullah % when he said:
'The Quraysh should be in charge of this matter of caliphate.
The good among them follow the good people while the evil
ones among them follow the evil people.' Sa'd said to him:
'You have spoken the truth. We are the ministers while you are
the leaders."""
This narration explicitly states that Abu Bakr 4% addressed Sa'd
ibn 'Ubadah 4% by taking an oath in the name of Allah is that
he was present when Rasulullah % said that the Quraysh should
be in charge of this matter. Sa'd 4% replied by saying: "You

233
The Life of Muhammad
have spoken the truth." It is for this reason that Ibn Kathir
rahmatullahi 'alayh has a special chapter titled: "Sa'd ibn
'Ubadah's testimony to the authenticity of what Abu Bakr said
at the meeting in the Saqifah."1
'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud 4% narrates that when the Ansar proposed
that there should be one leader from them and one from the
Muhajirūn, 'Umar 4% said: "O group of Ansar! You know that
Rasūlullah ordered that Abu Bakr should lead the people in
salah. Now who among you would like to go ahead of Abū
Bakr?" The Ansar replied: "We seek refuge in Allah from
trying to go ahead of Abu Bakr."2
What he meant by this is that Rasulullah * specifically
emphasised and insisted that Abu Bakr % should lead the
people in salah and be in his place. This was a clear proof that
Rasūlullah ¿ considered Abu Bakr 4% to be the most preferable.
A Tradition of Shama'il Tirmidhi states that when the Ansar
suggested that there should be one leader from them and one
from the Muhajirun, 'Umar 4% enumerated three qualities of
Abu Bakr 4% and asked the assembly if anyone else possessed
these three qualities:
1. Allah , referred to Abu Bakr 4% as one of the two [Abū
Bakr 4% and Rasulullah ] who were in the cave. ( 30
(اثنين إذ هما في الغار
2. Allah g referred to Abu Bakr 4% as being the close
(إذ يقول لصاحبه لا تحزن) .companion of Rasulullah
1 Al-Bidāyah wa an-Nihāyah, vol. 5, p. 247.
2 Narrated by Nasa'î, Abû Ya'la and Hakim on the authority of 'Abdullah
ibn Mas'ûd 4%. Hakim says that this is an authentic Hadîth. As stated in
Sharh ash-Shama'il, vol. 2, p. 219 of 'Allamah al-Qarî.

234
The Life of Muhammad %
3. Allah is referred to His being with them [Rasulullah
(إن الله معنا). [ضه and Abu Bakr
It should be borne in mind that Allah's companionship and
knowledge is with everyone and encompasses everyone. Yet,
He specifically mentions His presence in the above verse.
These three qualities of Abu Bakr 4% are established from the
Qur'an. This demonstrates his pre-eminence and that he alone
is eligible for the caliphate.1
'Umar 4% sufficed with enumerating just three qualities of Abū
Bakr 4% which were as clear as the light of day. From the tone
and context of the verse, other proofs of his superiority are also
found. They are:
,If you do not help him" - إلا تنصروه فقد نصره الله إذ أخرجه الذين كفروا .1
Allah helped him when the unbelievers expelled him." The
present verse reprimands and threatens everyone except Abū
Bakr 4% who does not help Rasulullah . This is because Abū
Bakr was with him and he was the one who helped
Rasūlullah . He is therefore excluded from this reprimand and
threat.
2. The help that is promised to Rasulullah % in this verse
includes help to Abu Bakr 4% as well. This is because he was
with Rasūlullah . Therefore, just like Rasūlullah , Abu Bakr
received help and assistance from Allah s. He would
therefore be most eligible for the caliphate.
3. In the words: فأنزل الله السكينة عليه - "Allah sent down
tranquillity to him", the correct opinion is that the pronoun
"him" refers to Abu Bakr 4%. In other words, Allah s sent
1 As stated in Sharh ash-Shamā'il of 'Allamah al-Qarî and Shaykh al-
Manāwî, vol. 2, p. 220.

235
The Life of Muhammad
down tranquillity and serenity to Abu Bakr 4% because it was he
who was stressed and anxious out of his intense love for
Rasūlullah . Allah is therefore bestowed him with His special
tranquillity and serenity.
4. The present verse refers to Abu Bakr as ثاني اثنين - the
second of the two. This shows that in his intellectual and
practical capabilities, Abu Bakr 4% is second to Rasūlullah
and his deputy in this regard. He was extremely close to
Rasūlullah and was his companion in the cave.
5. In the words إذ يقول لصاحبه - "when he said to his companion",
the commentators are unanimous that the word "companion"
refers to Abu Bakr %. Allah kg refers to him in the Qur'an as
the close companion, special friend, true lover and devoted
friend of Rasūlullah . Reference is made to the fact that the
companionship and friendship of Abu Bakr % is forever and
eternal - in this worldly life and also in the hereafter - in the
intervening world, in the hereafter, on the field of resurrection,
and at the fount of plenty (al-haud al-kauthar) as well. He will
also be his companion in paradise. It is based on this that some
'ulamā' state that the person who rejects Abu Bakr % being a
companion of Rasūlullah % is an unbeliever because he is
rejecting this verse of Allah g.
6. Rasūlullah addressed Abu Bakr % and said: ; y - "O
Abu Bakr! Do not grieve and do not be sad." This is proof that
Abu Bakr 4% was a person who loved Rasūlullah , who
sacrificed himself for him, and who was concerned about his
welfare and well-being.
7. After telling him: "Do not grieve and do not be sad",
Rasūlullāh ¿ said: "Surely Allah is with us." He gave him the
glad tidings of Allah's special companionship and presence.

236
The Life of Muhammad %
Details in this regard were given when the Hijrah or
Emigration was related.1
Abu Bakr
tes then addressed the assembly and said to the
people: "Umar and Abū 'Ubaydah are both present here.
Choose whichever of the two you want as your leader." 'Umar
and Abu 'Ubaydah % both said: "We take an oath by Allah
that it is impossible for us to take the reigns of caliphate in your
presence. You are the most superior among all the Muhajirūn.
Salah which is a pillar of Islam and the most superior
fundamental of the religion of Islam - Rasulullah % appointed
you to lead the people in salah and made you stand in his place.
O Abu Bakr! Give us your hand and we will pledge allegiance
to you."
A Tradition states that Abu Bakr 4% addressed 'Umar 4% saying:
"O 'Umar! Extend your hand so that I may pledge allegiance to
you." 'Umar 4 replied: "You are better than me." Abu Bakr
replied: "You are stronger than me." 'Umar % eventually said:
"My strength will be with you together with your superiority."
In other words, the superior person [Abu Bakr 4%] will be the
leader and the stronger person ['Umar 4%] will be his minister.2
'Umar 4% then asked Abu Bakr % to extend his hand so that he
could pledge his allegiance to him. When 'Umar 4% and Abū
'Ubaydah 4% were about to extend their hands to Abu Bakr 4%,
Bashir ibn Sa'd Ansarī 4% hastened forward and pledged his
allegiance to Abu Bakr 4%. 'Umar 4% and Abu 'Ubaydah % then
followed suite.
When Habbab ibn Mundhir saw Bashir ibn Sa'd pledging his
allegiance, he screamed out: "You have not taken your relatives
1 All the above points are based on the explanation of 'Allamah al-Qarî in
Sharh ash-Shamā'il, vol. 2, p. 220.
2 Ibid, p. 231.

237
The Life of Muhammad
into consideration and you did not pledge allegiance to your
cousin (Sa'd ibn 'Ubadah 4%). You are jealous of him." Bashir
ibn Sa'd 4% replied: "By Allah! This is not so. Rather, I do not
want to usurp the right of the Muhajirūn."
The people of the Aus tribe did not like the leadership of the
Khazraj tribe. They feared that if Sa'd ibn 'Ubadah 4% was
made the leader and leadership went to the Khazraj, the Aus
will never enjoy this position. Usayd ibn Hudayr, who was the
leader of the Aus was present there. He advised the members of
the Aus tribe to get up and pledge their allegiance to Abu Bakr
4%. They got up and pledged their allegiance to Abu Bakr
.
When they did this, the intentions of Sa'd 4% and the Khazraj
were reduced to bits.
The people then rushed from all sides in order to pledge their
allegiance to Abu Bakr 4%. Sa'd 4% was sitting in one corner.
Someone said: "Be careful that Sa'd and Bakr do not die."
'Umar 4% said: "May Allah kill him." Sa'd 4% then got up and
went home. The rest of the people pledged their allegiance and
returned to their homes.
The general pledge after the special pledge
Abu Bakr 4
was chosen as the caliph after the unanimous
decision of the Muhajirun and Ansar. The assembly came to an
end after the pledge of allegiance. This took place on the
evening of the Monday on which Rasulullah % passed away. In
other words, this special pledge took place on the evening of
the 12th of Rabi' al-Awwal 11 A.H. The general pledge took
place the following day, Tuesday, in the Musjid-e-Nabawī on
the pulpit.
After the pledge at the Saqifah, the people gathered the
following day in the Musjid-e-Nabawi. All the senior Sahabah
Muhajirūn and Ansār were present. 'Umar 4% first stood up
,

238
The Life of Muhammad
and delivered a short but comprehensive speech. Abu Bakr
remained seated silently.
'Umar 4% delivers a speech before the general pledge
'Umar 4% said: "I hoped that Rasulullah & would pass away
after all of us. Since he has passed away, if Allah &# wills, there
will be no void in the religion because Allah % placed a
guiding light (the Qur'an) in your midst. This is the means for
your guidance. After Rasūlullah , Abu Bakr % is present
amongst you. He is the companion of Rasulullah in the cave
and the second of the two. He is his special friend and constant
companion. From among all the Muslims, he alone is most
eligible to take over the reigns of authority in all matters. O
Muslims! Get up and pledge allegiance at his hands."1
A Tradition states that 'Umar % asked: "O Muslims! Who is
there apart from Abu Bakr regarding whom Allah g said: 'The
second of the two when they were in the cave'? And who is
there apart from Abu Bakr regarding whom Allah , referred to
as the companion of Rasūlullah ? 'When he said to his
companion.' And who is there apart from Abu Bakr regarding
whom Allah said: 'Surely Allah is with us.'?" In short, there
was no one beneath the heavens and on the surface of the earth
who shared these excellent qualities with Abu Bakr 4%. How,
then, can there be anyone to share with him the eligibility of
becoming caliph? You should understand well that the person
regarding whom Allah % said: 'The second of the two', is a
unique person - he has no second. You should therefore go to
him and pledge allegiance at his hands. His hands come after
those of Rasulullah.
When 'Umar 4% completed his speech, he asked Abu Bakr des to
climb the pulpit. The latter hesitated, but 'Umar 4% urged him
1 Al-Bidāyah wa an-Nihāyah, vol. 5, p. 248.

239
The Life of Muhammad
on. Abu Bakr 4% eventually climbed the pulpit and the general
body of Muslims pledged their allegiance to him.1
Abu Bakr's first speech after the general pledge
After 'Umar 4% urged Abu Bakr 4% to climb the pulpit, the latter
did so but he sat on a step lower than that on which Rasūlullah
used to sit. He then took the pledge of allegiance from the
general body of Muslims. He then addressed the assembly as
follows:
"O people! I have been made your leader despite not being the
best of you. If I do good, help me. If I do anything wrong,
correct me. Honesty is an act of trustworthiness while
dishonesty is an act of treachery. The weak among you is
strong in my sight till I remove his complaint, if Allah % wills.
The strong among you is weak in my sight till I take the dues
from him, if Allah % wills. When a people abandons jihad in
the cause of Allah, He disgraces them. When immorality
becomes rife in a people, Allah encompasses them with
calamities. Obey me as long as I obey Allah and His
Messenger . If I disobey Allah s and His Messenger , you
do not have to obey me. You may now stand up for the salah.
May Allah have mercy on you."2
Mūsā ibn 'Uqbah narrates in his Maghāzī, and Hakim narrates
in his Mustadrak from 'Abd ar-Rahman ibn 'Auf 4%:
"Abu Bakr delivered a speech and said: 'I take an oath by Allah
that I never desired leadership - neither by day nor by night. I
was neither inclined towards it nor did I ask Allah for it in
secrecy or in public. However, I feared sedition. I find no
1 Al-Bidāyah wa an-Nihāyah, vol. 5, p. 248.
2 Ibid. Also, Sharh ash-Shamā'il, vol. 2, p. 221, and Kanz al- 'Ummāl, vol. 3,
p. 129.

240
The Life of Muhammad
solace in leadership. I have been shouldered with a very serious
matter. I neither have the strength nor the power to bear it
except by the strength and support of Allah alg."">1
The following is related in Kanz al- 'Ummal:
Abu Bakr 48%
delivered a speech and said: "O people! If you
think that I took your caliphate out of desire for it or out of the
desire to be above you and the Muslims, then I take an oath by
that Being in whose control is my life, that I neither took it out
of desire for it nor out of the desire to be above you and the
Muslims. I neither longed for it in secrecy nor in public. I have
been shouldered with a serious matter. I do not have the
strength to bear it unless Allah s helps me. It was my wish that
it should have been given to any other companion of Rasūlullah
who would deal with justice. I am now returning it to you
and the pledge that you gave me is terminated. Give this
caliphate to whomever you wish, I am just an ordinary person
amongst you."2
'Alī's pledge of allegiance
When all the people pledged their allegiance, Abu Bakr
se
looked at the assembly and did not see 'Alī 4% and Zubayr
.
He said: "I do not see 'Alī and Zubayr. Call them as well."
Some people from the Ansar got up and went to call them.3
Abu Bakr 4% addressed them saying: "O cousin and son-in-law
of Rasūlullah ! Do you wish to cause disunity among the
Muslims?" He posed the same question to Zubayr 4% as well.
Sharh as-Shamā'il, vol. 2, p. 222.
2 Narrated by Abû Nu'aym in Fadā'il as-Sahābah as quoted in Kanz al-
'Ummāl, vol. 3, p. 131.
3 Kanz al- 'Ummāl, vol. 3, p. 131.