Abu Bakr’s Caliphate
In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
Imam Ali Ibn Abi al `Izz al Hanafi
The Islamic Creed
Abridged by Abdul Mun`im Saleh Al `Ali Al `Izzi
© 2000 Al Attique Publishers
We affirm that the caliphate after the Prophet was, first and
foremost, deserving of Abu Bakr, believing in his superiority and seniority over
the rest of the Ummah. This is our opinion. However, the Ummah disagreed over the
nature of Abu Bakr's succession. Was it by the Prophet's command, or was it
simply a choice? Hasan al-Basri and a group of people from the Ahl al-Hadith
believe it was by dint of command, although subtle and indirect, coming from
the Prophet (saws). Some of them in fact have said that it is proven by the
texts. However, some others of the Ahl al-Hadith. the Mu'tazilah and
Ash'ariyyah have said that it was established by choice and consent. As a matter of fact, we have some reports that suggest that the
caliphate of Abu Bakr was by the dint of a command from the Prophet (saws). One
of them is in Bukhari, narrated by Jubayr b. Mut'im who said: "A woman came up
to the Prophet (saws). He told her to come back to him later. She asked, 'What
if I came and didn't find you?' (She meant, if he was dead). He replied, 'If you
didn't find me, go to Abu Bakr.'" There are other reports supporting this one
which can be said to be the text in support of his succession. Then there is the hadith of Hudhayfah b. al-Yaman who
reports that the Prophet (saws) said: "Follow the two that will come after me:
Abu Bakr and 'Umar." The traditionalists have preserved this report. The Sahihayn also have reports narrated by 'A'isha about
her father. She says: "The day the Messenger of Allah took ill, he entered into
my house and said, 'Call in your father and brother so that I write down in
favor of Abu Bakr, for Allah and the Muslims will not accept anyone but Abu
Bakr." Reports about the Prophet preferring Abu Bakr over others are well
known. In one of them he said: "Ask Abu Bakr to lead in the Prayers." Trustworthy compilations also have another report recording the
Prophet as having said from his pulpit: "Were I to take someone a Friend from
among the people of the earth, I would have taken Abu Bakr as the Friend. Let
there not be a door opening into the (Grand) mosque. Close them all, except for
Abu Bakr's door." As for those who held the view that the Prophet did not appoint
Abu Bakr as his caliph, not at least through a proven hadlth, they have
argued with the report of Ibn 'Umar who reported 'Umar ibn al-Khattab as saying:
"If I nominate a successor after me, then one who was better than me, that is,
Abu Bakr, nominated a successor after him. But if I don't nominate, then one who
was better than me, that is, the Prophet (saws), did not name a successor after
himself." 'Abdullah Ibn 'Umar adds: "When he mentioned the Prophet, I knew that
he was not going to nominate his own successor." What seems likely, although Allah knows best, is that the Prophet
(saws) did not issue a written edict to the effect that Abu Bakr would be the
caliph after him. He did intend to do that, but changed his mind, saying, "Allah
and the Muslims will accept none but Abu Bakr." This indeed was a stronger
manner of appointing him his successor, the Prophet (saws) let know the
believers his own preference of Abu Bakr as his successor, and led them to
accepting his preference through his various words and deeds. He also spoke of
his appointment in favorable terms, expressing his own satisfaction. Were his
hints insufficient to announce where his choice lay, he would have spoken out
more explicitly, leaving no room for excuses and
doubts…