The first Hajj under Islam was in the ninth year of Hijra. The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam was too busy at Madinah to lead the Hajj, so he sent Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) as his agent, he was to lead the Hajj in place of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).
The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam led the prayers himself ever since he arrived to Madinah. During his last illness, the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) could no longer lead the prayers, he (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was too weak to go to the mosque, he (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) therefore had to choose someone to fill such high position after him. Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) was also the one who was honored to be chosen by the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) for such a task.
Thus in the lifetime of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), Abu Bakr came to fill the highest position under Islam (leading prayers). While one day Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) was away Umar was appointed by the Companions to lead the prayers in his absence. Realizing the change of voice, the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “This is not Abu Bakr’s voice, no one but he should lead prayers, he is the fittest person for this position”.
When the news of the Prophet’s death came out, many Muslims were confused and stunned. Umar himself was so overcome with emotions that he drew his sword and declared: “If anyone says that the Messenger of Allah is dead, I will cut off his head”.
Muslims stayed in such state until Abu Bakr arrived and gave his famous address: “O People! If anyone among you worshiped Muhammad, let him know that Muhammad is dead. But those who worshiped Allah, let them know that He lives and will never die. Let all of us recall the words of the Qur’an. It says: “Muhammad is only a Messenger of Allah, there have been Messengers before him. What then, will you turn back from Islam if he dies or is killed?” Suddenly Abu Bakr’s words started to sink in, and in no time confusion was gone.
Having shrugged off the shocking news of the Prophet’s death, Muslims realized that they need someone to fill the position of leadership amongst them.
The two main groups amongst Muslims were Muhajirun (refugees from Mecca), and Ansar (the people of Madinah). The Ansar gathered at the Thaqifa Bani Saida their meeting place. Saad bin Abada the Ansar leader suggested that the Caliph should be from amongst them. Although many refused saying that the Muhajirun in right have a better claim to Khilafah. When the news reached Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), he quickly went to their gathering, fearing that confusion might spread once again, and said : “Both Muhajirun and Ansar have done great service to Islam. But the former were the first to accept Islam, they were always very close to the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) . So, O Ansar, let the Caliph be from amongst them”. After a short discussion, the Ansar agreed that they should choose the Caliph from amongst the Muhajirun, being from the tribe of Quraish and being the first to accept Islam.
Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) then asked people to choose between Umar bin Al-Khattab and Abu Ubaida Ibn A-Jarrah. Hearing this, both men jumped to their feet and exclaimed: “O Siddiq, how can that be? How can anyone else fill this position as long as you are among us? You are the top man amongst he Muhajirun. You were the Companion of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam in the Thawr cave. You led prayers in his place, during his last illness. Prayer is the foremost thing in Islam. With all these qualifications you are the fittest person to be the successor of the Holy Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) . Hold out your hand that we may pledge loyalty to you”.
But Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) did not stretch out his hand. Umar saw that the delay might lead to the reopening of the disagreements so he himself took Abu Bakr’s hand out and pledged loyalty to him. Others followed by example, and Abu Bakr became the first Caliph by general consent of the Muslims.
After his election as the Caliph, Abu Bakr addressed the Muslims with these words:
“O People! I have been chosen by you as your leader, although I am no better than any of you. If I do any wrong, set me right. Listen, truth is honesty and untruth is dishonesty. The weak among you are the powerful in my eyes, as long as I do not give them their dues. The powerful among you are weak in my eyes, as long as I do not take away from them what is due to others”.
“Listen carefully, if people give up striving for the Cause of Almighty Allah, He will send down disgrace upon them. If people become evil-doers, Almighty Allah will send down calamities upon them”.
“Obey me as long as I obey Allah and His Rasul (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). If I disobey Allah and His Rasul (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam), you are free to disobey me.”
Ali radiallaahu ‘anhu along with some of his relatives delayed their pledge of loyalty to Abu Bakr for six months after a difference of opinion with the Caliph due to the right of inheritance of the Prophet’s land. Although both men respected each other, and Ali soon after the death of his wife Fatimah gave the pledge of loyalty to Abu Bakr.
Such was the quality of the humble and generous Companion who believed the Prophet in everything to the extent that he was called As-Siddiq, by the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). His great personality and service to Islam and Muslims earned him the love and respect of all Muslims, so that he was chosen as the first Caliph after the death of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) by all Muslims.
