A Plea by the Muslims of Medina

Whilst attaining these victories and glad tidings, the army of Hazrat Usamah (ra) also returned to Medina with victory and success. Upon his return, Hazrat Usamah (ra) was appointed by Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) as his representative in Medina. It is also said that Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) appointed Sanan Zamri as his representative and told him and his army, “At present, you should rest and allow your mounts to rest as well.” Following this, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) took to his mount along with the rest of the people and departed for Dhul Qassah himself. However, the Muslims humbly submitted to Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) and said, “O Khalifa of the Messenger (sa), we request you, for the sake of God, not to partake in this expedition, because if, God forbid, you are afflicted by any harm, then our whole order will collapse. We request you to appoint someone else in your stead for this task so that if anything were to happen to them, then you could appoint someone else in their place.” Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) replied, “By Allah, I will not do this. I will provide comfort and protection for you with my life.”

(Muhammad Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2012], p. 253, 256) (Muhammad al-Salabi, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq (ra) shakhsiyyat aur Karname [Muzaffar Garh, Pakistan: Maktabat al-Furqan], p. 282)