The four Caliphs

It is reported about Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) that on the day of the Battle of the Camel he said: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not give us any covenant regarding rulership that we were to adopt; rather, it was something that was our own opinion. (After the passing of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him),) Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) was appointed caliph, may Allah Almighty have mercy on Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), and he established (the commands) and remained upright. Then Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was appointed caliph, may Allah Almighty have mercy on Sayyiduna Umar, and he established (the commands) and remained upright, until the religion became firmly settled.
Imam Ahmad recorded it. Its chain contains a narrator who is not named, and the rest of its narrators are the narrators of the Sahih.

Abd Khayr narrates: Sayyiduna Ali bin Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) stood on the pulpit and, mentioning the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), said: When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) passed away, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) was appointed caliph. He acted according to the practice of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and followed his way, until Allah Almighty took his soul in that very state. Then Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was appointed caliph, and he acted according to the way of those two and followed the ways of both of them, until Allah Almighty took his soul as well.
Imam Ahmad recorded it, and its narrators are thiqat (trustworthy).

It is reported about Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) that he narrates: It was said: "O Messenger of Allah, whom shall we make our leader after you?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If you make Abu Bakr your leader, you will find him trustworthy, indifferent to the world and eager for the Hereafter. If you make Umar your leader, you will find him strong and trustworthy; the blame of any blamer will not take hold of him in the matter of Allah Almighty. And if you make Ali your leader, and I do not think you will do so, you will find him a guide and rightly guided; he will lead you on the straight path."
Imam Ahmad, Imam Bazzar, and Imam Tabarani in al-Mu'jam al-Awsat recorded it. The narrators of Imam Bazzar are thiqat (trustworthy).

Sayyiduna Hudhayfah bin al-Yaman (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: The people said: "O Messenger of Allah, will you not appoint a caliph over us?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If I appoint a caliph over you and you disobey my caliph, punishment will descend upon you." The people said: "Shall we not make Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) caliph?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If you make him caliph, you will find him physically weak but strong in the matter of Allah." The people said: "Shall we not make Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) caliph?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If you make him caliph, you will find him physically strong and strong in the matter of Allah as well." The people said: "Shall we not make Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) caliph?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If you make him caliph, though you will not do so, he will lead you on the straight path, and you will find him a guide and rightly guided."
Imam Bazzar recorded it. Its chain contains Abu al-Yaqzan Uthman bin Umayr, who is da'if (weak).

Sayyidah Aishah Siddiqah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates: When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) laid the foundation of the Prophet's Mosque, he brought a stone and placed it. Then Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) brought a stone and placed it. Then Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) brought a stone and placed it. Then Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) brought a stone and placed it. Sayyidah Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked about this, and he said: "This is how the matter of the caliphate will be after me."
Imam Abu Ya'la recorded it via al-Awwam bin Hawshab, from a man, from Sayyidah Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her). Its narrators are the narrators of the Sahih, except for the Tabi'i, whose name is not mentioned. The hadith reported from Sayyiduna Jarir (may Allah be pleased with him) will come after this.

Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) came and entered a garden. Someone came and knocked at the door. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "O Anas, get up and open the door, and give him the glad tidings of Paradise and the glad tidings of the caliphate after me." I said: "O Messenger of Allah, shall I tell him?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Tell him." It was Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him). I said to him: "Glad tidings to you of Paradise, and glad tidings of the caliphate after the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)." Then another person came and knocked at the door. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "O Anas, get up and open the door for him, and give him the glad tidings of Paradise, and give him the glad tidings of the caliphate after Abu Bakr." Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) says: I said: "O Messenger of Allah, shall I tell him?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Tell him." I went out, and it was Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him). I said to him: "Glad tidings to you of Paradise, and glad tidings of the caliphate after Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him)." Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: Then another person came and knocked at the door. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "O Anas, get up and open the door for him, and give him the glad tidings of Paradise and the glad tidings of the caliphate after Umar, and tell him that he will be killed." Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) says: I went out, and it was Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him). I said to him: "Glad tidings to you of Paradise and of the caliphate after Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), and know that you will be martyred." Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and said: "O Messenger of Allah, why is that? By Allah, I have never transgressed, nor have I ever wished for it, and since I gave you my pledge of allegiance I have not even touched my private part." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "O Uthman, it will be just so."
Imam Abu Ya'la and Imam Bazzar recorded it, but they reported these words: "Soon, after Abu Bakr and Umar, he will take charge of the affairs of my Ummah, and soon he will face harshness from the subjects." The narrator says: At that point the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) instructed Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) to restrain himself. The chain of this narration contains Saqr bin Abd al-Rahman, who is kadhdhab (a liar). The chain of Imam Bazzar contains Utbah Abu Amr, whom Imam Nasa'i (may Allah have mercy on him) and others declared da'if (weak), while Ibn Hibban declared him thiqah (trustworthy). The rest of its narrators are thiqat (trustworthy).
Imam Tabarani recorded it in al-Mu'jam al-Awsat with two chains, the narrators of one of which are the narrators of Bazzar, except that regarding Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) he reported these words: "He recited Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un (We belong to Allah and to Him we return) and came in." The rest of the narration is as before.

Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrates: In the blessed time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), we used to say: Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), Sayyiduna Uthman. (The narrator says: that is, we used to say this regarding the caliphate.)
(Allamah Haythami says:) I say: This narration is mentioned in the Sahih, but without the words: "regarding the caliphate."
Imam Bazzar and Imam Tabarani recorded it. The narrators of Imam Bazzar are the narrators of the Sahih.

Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrates: In the blessed time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), we used to say: "Who will be the most entitled of people to this matter (that is, the caliphate)?" We would say: "Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him)." Then we would say: "What is your view: if Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) passes away, who will be the most entitled of people to this matter (that is, rule)?" And we would say: "Sayyiduna Umar bin al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him)." Then we would say: "What is your view: if Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) passes away, who will be the most entitled to this matter?" And we would say: "Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him)."
Imam Tabarani recorded it. Its chain contains Yusuf bin Khalid al-Samti, who is kadhdhab (a liar).

Sayyiduna Abu Khidash bin Umayyah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: I came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) regarding some need, and I said: "What if I do not find you?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Then come to Abu Bakr." I said: "What if I do not find Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) either?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Come to Umar." I said: "What if I do not find Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) either?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Then Uthman." I said: "What if I do not find Sayyiduna Uthman either?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) remained silent. I repeated my question two or three times. Then I later thought: This is the bounty of Allah Almighty, which He gives to whomever He wills.
Imam Bazzar recorded it. Its chain contains al-Waqidi, and a narrator whom I do not know.

Sayyiduna Jarir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) came to Madinah, he said to his Companions: "Come with us to the people of Quba, so that we may greet them with salam." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) came to them; they greeted the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) with salam and welcomed him. Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "O people of Quba, bring me stones from this stony ground." When many stones had been gathered there, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) had a short spear with him, and he drew a line towards their qiblah. Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) took a stone and placed it. Then he said: "O Abu Bakr, take a stone and place it next to my stone." Then he said: "O Umar, take a stone and place it beside Abu Bakr's stone." Then he said: "O Uthman, take a stone and place it beside Umar's stone." Then he turned to the people behind and said: "Let each man place his stone wherever he likes along this line."
Imam Tabarani recorded it, and its chain contains a narrator whom I do not know.

Sayyiduna Safinah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: A man said: "O Messenger of Allah, I saw in a dream as if a balance was lowered from the sky. You were weighed against Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), and your scale was heavier than that of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him). Then Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) was weighed against Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), and the scale of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) was heavier than that of Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him). Then Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was weighed against Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him), and the scale of Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was heavier. Then the balance was taken up." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) interpreted it to mean the caliphate of prophethood; then Allah Almighty will give kingship to whomever He wills.
Imam Bazzar recorded it. Its chain contains Mu'ammal bin Isma'il, whom Yahya bin Ma'in and Ibn Hibban declared thiqah (trustworthy), while Imam Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) and others declared him da'if (weak). The rest of its narrators are thiqat (trustworthy).

Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: I heard the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) say: "After me there will be twelve caliphs. Among them is Abu Bakr al-Siddiq; he will remain after me only for a short while. And one (caliph) is the man who turns the millstone of the Arabs; he will live a praiseworthy life and die a martyr." A man said: "Who is he?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "He is Umar." Then he turned to Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) and said: "O Uthman, if Allah Almighty clothes you with a shirt and the people want to take it off, do not take it off. By Allah, if you take it off, you will not see Paradise until a camel passes through the eye of a needle."
Imam Tabarani recorded it in al-Mu'jam al-Awsat and al-Mu'jam al-Kabir. Its chain contains Muttalib bin Shu'ayb; Ibn Adi said: "I did not see any munkar (denounced) hadith from him except a single hadith, and that is other than this one." The rest of its narrators have been declared trustworthy.

Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) reports concerning this statement of Allah Almighty (the Exalted says): "And when the Prophet confided a matter to one of his wives." Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrates: Sayyidah Hafsah (may Allah be pleased with her) came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in her own house, at a time when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) had been intimate with Sayyidah Mariyah (may Allah be pleased with her) (in the house of Sayyidah Hafsah). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to Sayyidah Hafsah (may Allah be pleased with her): "Do not tell Aishah about this, and I will give you glad tidings: after Abu Bakr, your father will become the ruler when I die." Sayyidah Hafsah (may Allah be pleased with her) went and told Sayyidah Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that she had seen that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) had been intimate with Sayyidah Mariyah (may Allah be pleased with her). Sayyidah Hafsah (may Allah be pleased with her) also told Sayyidah Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) had told her that Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) would become the ruler after the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) would become the ruler after him. So Sayyidah Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): "Who told you this?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The All-Knowing, the All-Aware informed me." Sayyidah Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: "I will not look at you until you declare Mariyah forbidden (for yourself)." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) declared her forbidden, and Allah Almighty revealed this verse: "O Prophet, why do you forbid what Allah Almighty has made lawful for you?"
Imam Tabarani recorded it. Its chain contains Isma'il bin Amr al-Bajali, who is da'if (weak), though Ibn Hibban declared him thiqah (trustworthy). Another narrator is al-Dahhak bin Muzahim, who did not hear from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both). The rest of its narrators are thiqat (trustworthy).

Sayyiduna Ismah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: A man from the tribe of Khuza'ah came, and Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) met him. He asked: "What has brought you here?" He replied: "I have come to ask the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): when Allah Almighty takes you in death, to whom shall we pay the zakah of our wealth?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "To Abu Bakr." He asked: "When Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) passes away, then to whom?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "To Umar." He asked: "When Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) passes away, then to whom?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "To Uthman." He asked: "If Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) passes away, then to whom?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "See for yourselves."
Al-Tabarani recorded it; its chain contains al-Fadl bin al-Mukhtar, who is extremely da'if (weak).

Sayyiduna Ismah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: A man from the countryside came with his camel. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) met him and bought his camel from him. Then Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) met this man, and Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) asked: "What has brought you here?" He said: "I came with a camel, which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has bought." Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) asked: "Has the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) paid you in cash?" He replied: "No, I sold it to him on the condition that payment would be made later." Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said to him: "Go back to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and say to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): 'O Messenger of Allah, if something befalls you, who will pay me my money?' Then see what answer the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) gives you, and inform me of it." The man said: "O Messenger of Allah, if some mishap befalls you, who will pay me?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Abu Bakr." The man informed Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) of this. Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said to him: "Go back and ask the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): if some mishap befalls Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), then who will pay?" The man asked the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) this, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Umar." The man came and informed Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him). Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said to him: "Go back and ask the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): if Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) dies, then who will pay?" The man came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and asked him about this, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Woe to you! When Umar dies, then if you are able to, die at that time as well."
Al-Tabarani recorded it; its chain contains al-Fadl bin al-Mukhtar, who is da'if (weak).

Sayyiduna Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) passed away, Allah Almighty made Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) the caliph. Then when Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) passed away, Allah Almighty made Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) the caliph. Then when Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) passed away, Allah Almighty made Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) the caliph.
Al-Tabarani recorded it in al-Mu'jam al-Awsat; its narrators are thiqat (trustworthy).

Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrates: When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) passed away, the Muslims looked for the best person among them and made him caliph, and he was Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him). Then when he passed away, the Muslims looked for the best person among them and made him their caliph, and he was Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him). When Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) passed away (the narrator is unsure; perhaps the words are: when Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was martyred), the Muslims looked for the best person among them and made him caliph, and he was Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him). If you kill him, then bring me someone better than him. By Allah, I do not think you will be able to do so.
Al-Tabarani recorded it; its chain contains Ali bin Hassan al-Attar, whom I do not know, and the rest of its narrators are thiqat (trustworthy).

Sayyiduna Abu Dharr al-Ghifari (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: We were with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). He picked up some pebbles, and the pebbles glorified Allah in his hand. Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) put them down, and they fell silent. Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) picked them up, and they glorified Allah in his hand. Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) gave them to Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), and they glorified Allah in the hand of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him). Then he put them down, and they fell silent. Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) took them, and they glorified Allah in the hand of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) put them down, and they fell silent. Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) gave them to Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), and they glorified Allah in the hand of Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him). Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) took them, and they glorified Allah in the hand of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) put them down, and they fell silent. Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) gave them to Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him), and they glorified Allah in the hand of Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him). Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) gave them to Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him); he put them down, and they fell silent. Al-Zuhri said: This was the caliphate which Allah Almighty granted to Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) and Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him).
Al-Tabarani recorded it in al-Mu'jam al-Awsat; its chain contains Muhammad bin Abi Humayd, who is da'if (weak). This report has a better route than this one, which will come in the chapter on the Signs of Prophethood; its chain is sahih (authentic), and it does not contain al-Zuhri's statement about the caliphate.

Sayyiduna Nu'man bin Bashir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: Once Zayd bin Kharijah was walking along one of the roads of Madinah when, between Zuhr and Asr, he fell down dead. His body was carried to his family, and he was covered with two garments and a sheet. When it was the time between Maghrib and Isha, and the women of the Ansar had gathered around him and begun to weep, the people heard a voice from beneath the sheet; someone was saying: "O people, be silent!" This was said twice. The sheet was removed from his face and chest, and he said: "Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, the unlettered Prophet and the one who seals the line of the Prophets, and this is in the Book." Then it was said on his tongue: "He has spoken the truth." "Abu Bakr al-Siddiq is the caliph of the Messenger of Allah, strong and trustworthy, weak in body and strong in the affair of Allah, and this is in the earlier Book (or writing)." Then it was said on his tongue: "He has spoken the truth." This was said three times. "The middle one is Abdullah (that is, Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him)), the Commander of the Believers, who will not fear the blame of any blamer concerning Allah Almighty, and who will prevent the people's strong from consuming (the rights of) their weak. This is mentioned in the first Book." Then it was said on his tongue: "He has spoken the truth. He has spoken the truth." Then he said: "Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) is the Commander of the Believers, merciful towards the believers. Two have passed and four remain. The people have begun to differ and they have no order, sanctities have begun to be violated, the Hour has drawn near, and people have begun to consume (the rights of) one another."

In one narration it is reported from Sayyiduna Nu'man bin Bashir (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: When Sayyiduna Zayd bin Kharijah (may Allah be pleased with him) passed away, I kept waiting for Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) to come out; I thought he must be offering two rak'ahs. The cloth was removed from Zayd bin Kharijah's face, and he said: "Al-salamu alaykum, al-salamu alaykum (Peace be upon you, peace be upon you)." The people of the house were talking. The narrator says: I was praying at that time, and I said: "Subhan Allah, Subhan Allah (Glory be to Allah, glory be to Allah)." Then he said: "Be silent, be silent." The rest of the narration is as before. Al-Tabarani recorded all of these narrations in al-Mu'jam al-Kabir, and in al-Mu'jam al-Awsat in a much more abridged form, transmitted with two chains. In al-Mu'jam al-Kabir, the narrators of one of these two are thiqat (trustworthy).

Sayyiduna Abu al-Tufayl (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "I saw in a dream as though I was drawing water from the ground, and black sheep and greyish sheep came to me. Then Abu Bakr came and drew one or two buckets, and there was weakness in his drawing; may Allah Almighty forgive him. Then Umar came and began to draw water, and the bucket turned into a large bucket. He filled the cistern and quenched the thirst of those who came. I have not seen such a powerful man who drew water better than Umar. I interpreted it to mean that the black sheep are the Arabs and the greyish sheep are the non-Arabs."
Ahmad recorded it; its chain contains Ali bin Yazid, in whom there is weakness, and the rest of its narrators are thiqat (trustworthy).

Sayyiduna Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was sent to the Arabian Peninsula, and he filled it with justice and fairness. Then Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) led them onward, and led them in an excellent manner. Then Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) led them onward, and led them in an excellent manner.
Al-Tabarani recorded it in al-Mu'jam al-Awsat; its chain contains Sa'd bin Hudhayfah, whom I do not know.

Sa'id bin Yahya bin Qays bin Isa narrates from his father that Sayyidah Hafsah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: "O Messenger of Allah, when you fell ill, you put Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) forward." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "It was not I who put him forward; rather, it is Allah Almighty who put him forward."
Al-Tabarani recorded it in al-Mu'jam al-Awsat; its chain contains a narrator whom I do not know.

Sayyiduna Abd al-Rahman bin Abi Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Bring me an inkpot and a shoulder (bone of an animal), so that I may write for you a document after which you will never go astray." The narrator says: Then he turned his back to us, then he turned towards us and said: "Allah Almighty and the believers will accept none but Abu Bakr."
Al-Tabarani recorded it; its chain contains a narrator whom I do not know.

Sayyiduna Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: I came into the presence of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and his wives were with him. All of them veiled themselves from me except Maymunah (may Allah be pleased with her). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Every person in the house who was present when (I) was given the medicine should also be given the medicine, except that Sayyiduna Abbas is not included in this command." Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer." Sayyidah Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said to Sayyidah Hafsah (may Allah be pleased with her): "Submit to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) is a man who, when he stands in your place, will begin to weep." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer." Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) stood up and began to lead the prayer. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) felt some improvement in himself, so he (peace and blessings be upon him) came. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) began to step back, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sat down at his side and then recited.
Ahmad and al-Tabarani recorded it, and al-Bazzar recorded it in a much abridged form; Abu Ya'la recorded it in a more complete form than them. Its chain contains Qays bin al-Rabi', whom Shu'bah and al-Thawri declared thiqah (trustworthy), and the rest of its narrators are thiqat (trustworthy).

Sayyiduna Sahl bin Sa'd (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: A dispute arose among the Ansar, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) went to make peace between them. When he returned, the prayer had already begun, and Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) was leading the people in prayer, so the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed behind Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him).
Al-Tabarani recorded it.
This report is in the Sahih, except that it does not contain these words: "The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed behind Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him)." Al-Tabarani's chain contains Abdullah bin Ja'far bin Najih, who is extremely da'if (weak).

Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) fell into the illness in which he passed away, during that time Sayyiduna Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him) came to call him (to the prayer). After two times, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "O Bilal, you have conveyed it twice; whoever wishes may pray, and whoever wishes may leave it." Sayyiduna Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him) came back to him and said: "O Messenger of Allah, may my mother and father be sacrificed for you, who will lead the prayer?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer." When Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) went forward, the curtain in front of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was lifted. The narrator says: We looked at the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and his blessed face appeared like a white sheet of paper, and there was a cloak on his body. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) began to step back, thinking that perhaps he was about to come out. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) signalled to Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) to remain standing and lead the prayer, so Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) led the people in prayer. After that we did not see the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) again.
Ahmad recorded it; its chain contains Sufyan bin Husayn, who is da'if (weak) in what he narrates from al-Zuhri, and this hadith is among the reports he narrated from al-Zuhri.

Sayyiduna Buraydah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) fell ill and said: "Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer." Sayyidah Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: "O Messenger of Allah, my father is a soft-hearted man." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer. You are like the women of (the story of) Sayyiduna Yusuf (peace be upon him)." Then Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) led the people in prayer while the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was alive (that is, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) led the people in prayer during the lifetime of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)).
Ahmad recorded it; its narrators are the narrators of the Sahih.

Sayyiduna Salim bin Ubayd (may Allah be pleased with him), who was one of the People of the Suffah, narrates: During the illness of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), he fainted. When he regained consciousness, he asked: "Has the time of prayer come?" We said: "Yes." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Tell Bilal to give the call to prayer (adhan), and tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer." Sayyidah Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: "My father is a soft-hearted man; if you were to instruct someone other than him to lead the prayer, that would be appropriate." Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) fainted again. When he regained consciousness, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Has the time of prayer come?" I said: "Yes." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Tell Bilal to give the call to prayer, and tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer." Sayyidah Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: "My father is a soft-hearted man; if you were to order someone other than him to lead the prayer, that would be appropriate." Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) fainted again. When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) regained consciousness, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Has the prayer been established?" We said: "Yes." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Bring me someone I can lean on." Sayyiduna Buraydah (may Allah be pleased with him) and another man came to him, and he leaned on the two of them and came to the mosque. When he entered the mosque, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) was leading the people in prayer. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) began to step back, but the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) stopped him. He was seated at the side of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) until he finished the prayer. Then when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) passed away, Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Let me not hear anyone saying that the Messenger of Allah has died; if I hear anyone, I will strike him with the sword." Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) came holding my wrist, leaning on me. He came walking and said: "Make room, make room for him." Then he bent over the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), touched him and said: "You have passed away, and the people too will die." The people said: "O companion of the Messenger of Allah, has the Messenger of Allah died?" Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) replied: "Yes." So the people knew that it was just as he said. The people said: "O companion of the Messenger of Allah, shall we offer the funeral prayer for the Messenger of Allah?" He replied: "Yes." The people said: "How shall we offer his funeral prayer?" He said: "Some people should come in, say the takbir, make supplication and send blessings, then go out, (and others come in) until all the people have finished." The people said: "O companion of the Messenger of Allah, will the Messenger of Allah be buried?" Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) replied: "Yes." The people asked: "Where will he be buried?" Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "In the very place where he passed away, for Allah Almighty has taken him in death only in a pure place." So the people knew that it would be just as he had described. Then Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) stood up and said: "Your master is with you." Then Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) ordered the people to wash the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and he left. The Muhajirun gathered to consult, and they said: "Come with us to our brothers of the Ansar, for they too will have a share in this matter." They went, and a man from the Ansar said: "One leader will be from us and one leader from you." Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) took hold of the hand of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr and said: "Tell me, which person has these three qualities: he is the second of two when the two of them were in the cave, so who were those two? He said to his companion: 'Do not grieve,' so who was that companion? (And it also says:) 'Indeed Allah Almighty is with us.'" Then he took hold of the hand of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) and said to the people: "Pledge allegiance to him." So the people pledged allegiance to Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) in an excellent manner. (Allamah al-Haythami says:) I say: Ibn Majah recorded part of this narration.
Al-Tabarani recorded it; its narrators are thiqat (trustworthy).

Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) passed away, the Ansar said: "One leader will be from us and one leader from you." Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) came to them and said: "Do you not know that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) to lead the people in prayer? So which of you would be pleased to go ahead of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him)?" They said: "We seek refuge in Allah from going ahead of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him)."
Ahmad and Abu Ya'la recorded it; its chain contains Asim bin Abi al-Nujud, who is thiqah (trustworthy) but has some weakness, and the rest of its narrators are the narrators of the Sahih.

Abu al-Bakhtari narrates: Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said to Sayyiduna Abu Ubaydah (may Allah be pleased with him): "Stretch out your hand so that I may pledge allegiance to you, for I heard the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) say: 'This one is the trustworthy one of this Ummah.'" Sayyiduna Abu Ubaydah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "I will not go ahead of a man whom the Messenger of Allah ordered to lead us in prayer, and who continued to lead us until the passing of the Messenger of Allah."
Ahmad recorded it; its narrators are the narrators of the Sahih, except that the narrator Abu al-Bakhtari did not hear from Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him).

Sayyiduna Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) passed away, the speakers of the Ansar stood up and said: "O assembly of the Muhajirun, whenever the Messenger of Allah sent any man from among you somewhere, he would send a man from among us along with him. So we think that two men should take charge of this matter, one man from us and one man from you." Then Sayyiduna Zayd bin Thabit (may Allah be pleased with him) stood up and said: "Indeed the Messenger of Allah was from the Muhajirun, and we are the helpers of the Messenger of Allah; so whoever takes his place, we will be his helpers too." Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "O assembly of the Ansar, may Allah Almighty reward you with good and keep your speaker firm. By Allah, had you said anything other than this, we would not have come to terms with you."
Al-Tabarani and Ahmad recorded it; its narrators are the narrators of the Sahih.

Isa bin Atiyyah narrates: When allegiance had been pledged to Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), on the following day he stood up and, addressing the people, said: "O people, I return your choice to you. I am not the best of you, so pledge allegiance to the best of you." The people came before him and said: "O caliph of the Messenger of Allah, by Allah, you are the best of us." Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "O people, others have entered Islam willingly or unwillingly, so they are the guests of Allah Almighty and His neighbours. If you are able, take care that Allah Almighty does not call you to account for anything regarding His covenant of protection. There is a devil with me that comes to me; when you see me (so), answer me. I will not mutilate your hair or your skin. O people, look after the shortcomings of your scholars (or perhaps officials, that is, state functionaries), for it is not fitting that flesh which has grown from what is unlawful should enter Paradise. Beware! Watch over me through your helpers. If I remain upright, follow me; if I deviate, set me straight. If I obey Allah, obey me; and if I disobey Allah, disobey me."
Al-Tabarani recorded it in al-Mu'jam al-Awsat; its chain contains Isa bin Sulayman, who is da'if (weak), and Isa bin Atiyyah, whom I do not know.

Qays bin Abi Hazim narrates: I was sitting with Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), who was the caliph of the Messenger of Allah; this was one month after the passing of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). After this the narrator mentioned the whole incident, in which it is stated that an announcement was made among the people: "The prayer is gathering!" This was the first prayer among the Muslims for which it was announced among the people that the prayer is gathering. The people gathered, and Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) ascended the pulpit; it was something that had been made for him, on which he would stand and deliver sermons, and this was the first sermon in Islam. After praising and extolling Allah Almighty, he said: "O people, I wish that someone else had taken on this task instead of me. If you hold me to the Sunnah of your Prophet, I do not have the strength for it, for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was protected from the devil, and moreover revelation used to descend upon him (peace and blessings be upon him) from the heavens."
Ahmad recorded it; its chain contains Isa bin al-Musayyab al-Bajali, who is da'if (weak).

Ibn Abi Mulaykah narrates: It was said to Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him): "O caliph of Allah!" He said: "I am the caliph of the Messenger of Allah, and I am pleased with that; I am pleased with that."
Ahmad recorded it; its narrators are the narrators of the Sahih, except that Ibn Abi Mulaykah did not live in the time of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him).

Qays bin Abi Hazim narrates: I saw Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) with a palm branch in his hand, making the people sit down and saying: "Listen to and obey the caliph of the Messenger of Allah!" A slave of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), whose name was Sadid, came bringing a document, which he read out to the people, and he said: "Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) says: You are to listen to and obey the one whose name is mentioned in this document. By Allah, I have not fallen short in regard to you." Qays bin Abi Hazim says: After that I saw Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) on the pulpit.
Ahmad recorded it; its narrators are the narrators of the Sahih.

Sayyidah Aishah al-Siddiqah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates: I was with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and he said: "O Aishah, if only we had someone with us who would talk with us." I said: "O Messenger of Allah, shall I send a message to Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him)?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) remained silent. Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If only we had someone with us who would talk with us." Sayyidah Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) says: I said: "O Messenger of Allah, shall I not send a message to Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him)?" Sayyidah Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) says: Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) called a servant and said something to him in a whisper, and he went away. Sayyidah Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) says: Then Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) asked permission to come in. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) gave him permission and he came in. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) spoke with him in a low voice for quite a long time, then he said: "O Uthman, Allah Almighty will clothe you with a shirt. The hypocrites will seek to have you take it off; do not take it off, and there is no honour in that (for them)." He said this twice or perhaps three times.
(Allamah al-Haythami says:) I say: Ibn Majah recorded this narration in abridged form.
Ahmad recorded it; its chain contains Faraj bin Fadalah, who has been declared trustworthy, though there is weakness in him, and the rest of its narrators are the narrators of the Sahih.

Zayd bin Aslam narrates: Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said concerning those six people, with whom the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was pleased when he departed from this world: "Pledge allegiance to the one to whom Abd al-Rahman bin Awf (may Allah be pleased with him) pledges allegiance; if anyone refuses, strike off his neck."
(Allamah al-Haythami says:) I say: The opening part of this narration is reported in the Sahih.
Al-Tabarani recorded it in al-Mu'jam al-Awsat. The narrator Zayd did not live in the time of Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him); his son Abdullah was declared thiqah (trustworthy) by Ma'n bin Isa and others, while the majority declared him da'if (weak).

Abu Wa'il narrates: I said to Sayyiduna Abd al-Rahman bin Awf (may Allah be pleased with him): "How is it that you pledged allegiance to Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) and left Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him)?" He said: "What is my fault? I began with Ali and said: 'I will pledge allegiance to you on the condition that you will act according to the Book of Allah, the Sunnah of His Messenger, and the way of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) and Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him).' He said: 'As far as I am able (I will act on it).'" Sayyiduna Abd al-Rahman (may Allah be pleased with him) says: "Then I offered the same to Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him), and he accepted it (that is, he said: I will do just that)."
Abdullah bin Ahmad recorded it; its chain contains Sufyan bin Waki', who is extremely da'if (weak).

Fadalah bin Abi Fadalah narrates (Sayyiduna Abu Fadalah (may Allah be pleased with him) was one of the people of Badr): I went with my father (Sayyiduna Abu Fadalah (may Allah be pleased with him)) to visit Sayyiduna Ali bin Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) during an illness of his that had become severe. My father said to him: "What keeps you in this place of yours? If your death were to come, none would attend to you but the Bedouins of Juhaynah. Have yourself carried to Madinah, for if your death comes there, your companions will attend to you and offer your funeral prayer." Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) took a covenant from me that I will not die until I am made a ruler, and then this (Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said this pointing to his beard) will be dyed from this (that is, Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said this pointing to his head; meaning my beard will be dyed with the blood of my head)." (The narrator says:) Later Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) was martyred, and Sayyiduna Abu Fadalah (may Allah be pleased with him) was also martyred fighting on the side of Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) at the Battle of Siffin.
Ahmad recorded it; its chain contains Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Aqil, who is hasan al-hadith (good in hadith), and the rest of its narrators are thiqat (trustworthy).