Prophetic Indications of the Ṣiddīqī Caliphate

By Muḥammad Arshad Kamāl

① Context: Succession After the Prophet ﷺ​

Upon the Prophet’s ﷺ passing, the Companions unanimously chose Sayyidunā Abū Bakr aṣ-Ṣiddīq رضي الله عنه as their ruler and Caliph.
Imam Abū Bakr al-ʿAjrī (d. 360 AH) said:
“Whoever truly follows Islām and has tasted īmān will not dispute that after the Prophet ﷺ, the Caliphate belongs to Abū Bakr aṣ-Ṣiddīq only. No other stance is permissible for a Muslim. This is established by clear evidences: the Prophet ﷺ granted him special status during his lifetime and gave commands about him even after his passing.”
(ash-Sharīʿah, p. 441)

② Prophetic Hints (Ishārāt) toward Abū Bakr’s Caliphate​

1. Appointing Abū Bakr to Lead Ṣalāh in Illness​

❀ Dhikr in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (664):
During his final illness, the Prophet ﷺ repeatedly instructed:

“Order Abū Bakr to lead the people in Ṣalāh.”

Despite objections about his timid nature, the Prophet ﷺ insisted—finally likening it to Yaʿqūb’s sons calling upon Yūsuf—after which Abū Bakr did indeed lead the prayers.

✔ Implication: By elevating him to Imāmah (leadership) in worship, the Prophet ﷺ foreshadowed his role as Caliph.

2. Consensus of the Anṣār​

❀ Musnad Aḥmad 21/1 (ḥasan):
When the Prophet ﷺ died, the Anṣār proposed, “A leader from us and one from you.” ʿUmar رضي الله عنه reminded them that the Prophet ﷺ had already commanded Abū Bakr’s Imāmah. No one dared to precede him.

3. Leadership of Ḥajj​

❀ Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (4657):
One year before the Farewell Ḥajj, the Prophet ﷺ appointed Abū Bakr as Amīr al-Ḥajj (leader of the pilgrimage).

✔ Implication: Entrusting him with this critical office underscored his succession in both worship and governance.

4. Guidance to the Devoted Woman​

❀ Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (7220):
A lady asked, “If I return and find you gone—where should I go?” The Prophet ﷺ replied:

“Go to Abū Bakr.”

Imam al-Bukhārī cites this as evidence of Abū Bakr’s Caliphate, explicitly refuting claims favoring ʿAlī or al-ʿAbbās.

5. Sealing of the Masjid Doors​

❀ Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (3654):
Days before his passing, the Prophet ﷺ ordered all mosque doors to be closed except Abū Bakr’s.

• Ibn Ḥibbān (Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Ḥibbān 6860):
  “This indicates that after the Prophet ﷺ, Caliphate belongs to Abū Bakr.”
• Ibn Battāl (Sharḥ al-Bukhārī 142/3) and Ibn Rajab (Fatḥ al-Bārī 547/2) echo this as a clear hint of Abū Bakr’s unique role.

6. The “Wells” in a Dream​

❀ Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (3676):
In a dream, the Prophet ﷺ drew buckets of water from a well; Abū Bakr’s bucket came next, then ʿUmar’s—growing larger—symbolizing Abū Bakr’s priority in authority (though a shorter tenure) before ʿUmar.

7. Written Testament​

❀ Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (2387):
The Prophet ﷺ expressed concern that no one might claim succession over Abū Bakr. Ḥadrat ʿĀ’ishah was asked to draft a document to that effect.

8. The Directive of Hudhayfah​

❀ Sunan at-Tirmidhī (3663, ḥasan):
Hudhayfah رضي الله عنه reports the Prophet ﷺ said:
“I do not know how long I will remain among you; follow these two.”

He pointed to Abū Bakr and ʿUmar—signaling their leadership roles in succession.

9. Sayyidah ʿĀ’ishah’s Testimony​

❀ Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (2385):
When asked whom the Prophet ﷺ would appoint first, she replied “Abū Bakr,” then “ʿUmar,” then “Abū ʿUbaydah ibn al-Jarrāḥ.” This orderly sequence reflects early consensus.

③ The Consensus (Ijmāʿ) of the Companions​

After the Prophet’s ﷺ passing, at Ṣaqīfah Banī Sa‘idah, the Companions unanimously pledged allegiance to Abū Bakr aṣ-Ṣiddīq—further validating his rightful Caliphate. Their collective ijmāʿ alone suffices as evidence of his leadership.