1197 — Abū al-Qāsim Abd Allah ibn Muhammad al-Baghawī narrated to us, saying: Abū Khaythama Zuhayr ibn Harb narrated to us, saying: Yahyā ibn Sulaym narrated to us, saying: Jafar ibn Muhammad narrated to us, from his father, from Abd Allah ibn Jafar al-Tayyār (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: Abū Bakr (may Allah have mercy on him) governed us. “What an excellent caliph—the most merciful and tender toward us!”

Muhammad ibn al-Husayn (may Allah have mercy on him) said: If someone objects, “But Umar ibn al-Khattāb (may Allah be pleased with him) said, ‘The pledge of allegiance to Abū Bakr was a sudden affair, and Allah averted its evil,’” he is to be told: If you are capable of understanding, then know that this is praise for the pledge of allegiance to Abū Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), not criticism of it, you ignorant man!

If he asks, “How so?” ⦗1732⦘ he is to be told: When the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) died and was buried, the Ansār gathered in the portico of Banū Sāida. Abū Bakr went to them accompanied by Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both), fearing that they might initiate something that could not readily be remedied. He addressed them with fitting and gracious words and admonished them. One of them then said, “Let there be one leader from among us and another from among you.”

Muhammad ibn al-Husayn (may Allah have mercy on him) said: Had this proposal been carried through, it would have brought about a tremendous calamity and shattered their unity, for there cannot be two caliphs at the same time. By the gracious aid Allah granted him, Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) arose and said, “That I should be brought forward and have my neck struck is dearer to me than assuming authority over a people among whom is Abū Bakr.”

He then said to Abū Bakr, “Extend your hand so that I may pledge allegiance to you.” Abū Bakr extended his hand, and Umar pledged allegiance to him. The Ansār and all the Emigrants then recognized that the truth lay in what Umar had done, and they all willingly pledged allegiance to Abū Bakr, without compulsion or disagreement. Ali ibn Abī Tālib came and pledged allegiance to him; al-Zubayr came and pledged allegiance to him; and Banū Hāshim came and pledged allegiance to him.

Thus, by Umar’s words, “The pledge of allegiance to Abū Bakr was a sudden affair,” he meant that it was swiftly snatched away before Satan could have any share in it: no blood was shed over it, and the people did not disagree concerning him. This is praise for it, not criticism. O seeker of discord, understand this—if you are capable of understanding!