It is narrated from the Mother of the Believers, Sayyidah Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her), that she said: "When the soul of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was taken, he (peace and blessings be upon him) had not nominated anyone as successor (khalifah); and had he (peace and blessings be upon him) been going to appoint anyone as successor, he would have appointed Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) as successor."
No one narrated this hadith from Ibn Abi Mulaykah (may Allah have mercy on him) except Abu al-Umays (may Allah have mercy on him).
Hadith Referenceالمعجم الأوسط / باب الميم / 7057
Hadith Takhrij«أخرجه مسلم فى «صحيحه» برقم: 2385، والحاكم فى «المستدرك» برقم: 4490، والنسائي فى «السنن الكبرى» برقم: 8064، 8145، وأحمد فى «مسنده» برقم: 24984، وابن أبي شيبة فى «مصنفه» برقم: 38207»