Mukhtasar Muslim (Abridged) 1198 — Fulfilling the pledge to the first

Abu Hazim says: I sat with Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) for five years, and I heard him narrate from the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) that the affairs/government of the Children of Israel used to be managed by the Prophets. Whenever a Prophet passed away, another Prophet would succeed him. And the situation is that after me there will be no Prophet, rather there will be Caliphs and they will be many. The people asked, "Then what do you command us to do?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Fulfill the pledge of allegiance to the first one to whom you give your pledge, and give them their due right, and Allah the Exalted will question them about what He entrusted to them.