Hadith of the succession of Abu Bakr
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A famous recorded oral tradition among Muslims (Arabic: hadith) is about the succession to Abu Bakr, the second Sunni Caliph.
Although the narration is prominently quoted and referred to, it is not given any formal name, in contrast to other hadith such as the Hadith of the pond of Khumm or the Hadith of Qur'an and Sunnah
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[edit] Introduction
Umar helped Abu Bakr to come into power during the Succession to Muhammad, and Abu Bakr appointed Umar as his own successor.
[edit] Narration
Husain Mohammad Jafri, a 20th century Shi'a Islamic scholar writes:
| The caliphate of Abu Bakr lasted just over two years, and on his deathbed he explicitly appointed 'Umar, already a ruling power behind him, as his successor... Abu Bakr ... first called 'Abd ar-Rahman b. `Awf, told him about his decision, and after some persuasion secured his consent. The only other person whom the dying caliph called in to make his decision known was `Uthman b. `Affan. When the news of Abu Bakr's decision came out, some of the prominent Companions of the Prophet became extremely disturbed and apprehensive. Under the leadership of Talha, they sent a delegation to protest against the decision and tried to persuade the Caliph not to nominate `Umar <ref>See the whole account in Tabari, I, pp.2137 ff.; Ya`qubi, II, p. 136 f.; Hadid, Sharh,, I, p.163 ff.</ref>. Nothing could change Abu Bakr's mind, and he asked `Uthman to write down his testament in favour of `Umar <ref>The Origins and Early Development of Shi`a Islam p.58-079</ref>. |
Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari, a 10th century Sunni Islamic scholar writes:
Ibn Abu al-Hadid, a 13th century Mu'tazili Islamic scholar writes:
Other scholars quote:
| This is a testament of Abu Bakr, the successor of the Prophet of God, to the believers and the Muslims... I have appointed as ruler over you 'Umar b. al-Khattab, so listen to him and obey him. I have not made him your ruler except for [your] good." <ref>The Origins and Early Development of Shi`a Islam p.58-079, referencing "Ya`qubi, Ya`qubi, II,
p. 136 f.; also see Tabari, I, p. 2138 ; 'Iqd, IV, p. 267, with slight variations in wording"</ref> |
Then they state: "When Abu Bakr declared Umar his successor, the Sahaba were so fearful of the consequences they ran to Abu Bakr and said 'What response will you give to Allah for placing Umar over us?'" <ref>http://www.answering-ansar.org/answers/mutah/en/chap7.php</ref>
[edit] Muslim view
Muslims view this hadith as notable and important on several accounts: several prominent persons are mentioned in the hadith and several controversial issues are dealt with.
[edit] Sunni view
[edit] Shi'a view
Husain Mohammad Jafri, a 20th century Shi'a Islamic scholar writes:
Husain Mohammad Jafri also refers to the Hadith of the pen and paper and continues:
[edit] References
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