Hazrat Umar (ra) at the Election of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) as Khalifa

In relation to Hazrat Abu Bakr’s (ra) Khilafat, there is a narration mentioned in Bukhari, which has been narrated previously as well, but I shall mention it again.

The Ansar came to the house of the Bani Saidah and gathered around Hazrat Saad (ra) bin Ubadah. They claimed that one leader should be appointed from among [the Ansar] and one from among [the Muhajireen]. Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra), Hazrat Umar (ra) bin Al-Khattab and Hazrat Abu Ubaidah (ra) bin Jarrah went to see them. Just as Hazrat Umar (ra) was about to say something, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) told him to remain silent. Hazrat Umar (ra) used to say, “By Allah, I had prepared such a speech to read out that day, which I was greatly pleased with, and I feared that perhaps Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) would not be able to express it as effectively, i.e. he would not be able to say it in the same manner.”

Thereafter, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) delivered his speech and spoke in such a manner that no one could have expressed themselves in a more eloquent manner.

During his speech, he stated, “We are the amirs [leaders] and you are the viziers” i.e. he said that the Ansar were viziers. Upon hearing this, Hubab bin Munzir stated, “Certainly not! By God, we will never allow for this to happen. There shall be one leader from among you and one from among us.” Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) replied, “No, we are the amirs and you are the viziers, for the Quraish”, according to their lineage and tribe, “have always occupied a higher status amongst the Arabs and it has been this way since ancient times; therefore you must take the bai‘at of either Umar or Abu Ubaidah.”

Hazrat Umar (ra) responded, “No, we will only take your bai‘at (i.e. referring to Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra)) because you are our leader. You are the best among us and the most beloved of the Holy Prophet (sa) out of us all.” After saying this, Hazrat Umar (ra) held the hand of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) and performed the bai‘at. Thereafter, everyone else also followed and performed the bai‘at at the hands of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra).

(Sahih Bukhari, Kitab Fazial Ashaab-ul-Nabi, Hadith no. 3668)

When Hazrat Umar (ra) held the hand of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) and asked to him take their bai‘at, Hazrat Umar (ra) also performed the bai‘at at his hands and stated, “O Abu Bakr! The Holy Prophet (sa) had instructed you to lead the prayers; therefore you are the Khalifa of Allah. We perform the bai‘at at your hands and amongst all of us, you were the most beloved to the Holy Prophet (sa).”

In regard to the disorder created by the apostates, it is written in Sirat ibn Hisham that when the Holy Prophet (sa) passed away, the troubles greatly increased. He states that he came across a narration in which Hazrat Aisha (ra) stated, “When the Holy Prophet (sa) passed away, some of the Arabs became apostates and the Jews and Christians began to rise up and their hypocrisy became evident.”

(Sirat Ibn Hisham, p. 903, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2001)

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (ra) relates that after the demise of the Holy Prophet (sa), Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) became the Khalifa and amongst the Arabs, some began to reject the religion of Islam. Upon this, Hazrat Umar (ra) stated to Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra), “How will you fight against these people because the Holy Prophet (sa) had stated, ‘I have been commanded to fight against them until they proclaim, “There is none worthy of worship except Allah.”’” In other words, one cannot fight against those who proclaim that “there is none worthy of worship except Allah” and whosoever recites this, his life and wealth shall be protected, unless there is a lawful reason not to protect it. And the matter of such people will rest with Allah.

Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) replied, “By Allah, whoever distinguishes between the Salat and the Zakat [i.e. abandons the Zakat], I shall fight against him because the paying of Zakat on one’s wealth is an obligation. By Allah, if they refuse to give me even the rope that they tie the legs of their animals with, which they previously used to give to the Holy Prophet (sa), I shall fight against them if they refuse to give it.”

Hazrat Umar (ra) bin Al-Khattab stated, “By Allah, I had seen that it was Allah the Almighty Who had granted him the courage to fight and I understood that this indeed was the truth.”

(Sahih Bukhari, Kitab-ul-I‘tisam bil Kutub Wa Al-Sunnah, Hadith no. 7284 – 7285)

Upon the departure of Hazrat Usama bin Zaid’s (ra) army, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) called for Hazrat Usama (ra) and gave him some instructions. Hazrat Usama (ra) was mounted on his animal while Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) was walking along with him. Hazrat Usama (ra) requested Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) to ride on the animal, otherwise he would come off; however, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) stated, “Do not get off your ride. By Allah, I will not mount the animal.” He further stated, “What has happened to me that I cannot allow dust to cover my feet in the way of Allah the Almighty because every step taken by one who steps out for battle is equal to the reward of 700 deeds and his rank is elevated 700 times and 700 sins of his are forgiven.”

After imparting his instructions to him, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) stated to Hazrat Usama (ra), “If you deem it appropriate, help me through Umar.” In other words, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) requested Hazrat Usama (ra) to leave Hazrat Umar (ra) behind with him because the Holy Prophet (sa) had originally included Hazrat Umar (ra) in the army. Hazrat Usama (ra) accepted this request.

(Tarikh Al-Tabari, Vol. 2, p. 246, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1987)