Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 39833 — Reports on the caliphate of Abu Bakr

It is narrated from a man of Banu Zurayq that when it was that day, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) and Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) set out until they came to the Ansar. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr said: "O company of Ansar! We certainly do not deny your right, nor can any believer deny your right. By Allah! Whatever good we have attained, you were partners with us in it. But the Arabs will not be content nor settle on anyone other than a man of Quraysh, because the people of Quraysh are the most eloquent of tongue, the most handsome of face among all people, the most central of the Arabs in abode, and the most connected among the people of the Arabs by ties of kinship. So come to Umar and pledge allegiance to him." The narrator says: The Ansar said: "No!" Sayyiduna Umar asked: "Why?" The Ansar replied: "We fear others being given preference." Sayyiduna Umar said: "As for that, it will not happen as long as I am alive." Sayyiduna Umar said: "Come then, pledge allegiance to Sayyiduna Abu Bakr." 2. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr said to Sayyiduna Umar: "You are stronger than me." Sayyiduna Umar said (in reply): "You have greater virtue than me." Then the two of them repeated these words to one another a second time. When it happened the third time, Sayyiduna Umar said to Sayyiduna Abu Bakr: "Indeed, my strength too is at your service, along with the virtue you have." So the people pledged allegiance to Sayyiduna Abu Bakr.