that can never be claimed. This is illustrated by the Rightly Guided Caliphs, who were the most knowledgeable members of this community concerning the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—his Sunnah, and his circumstances. This was especially true of al-Siddīq—may Allah be pleased with him—who never left his side, whether at home or travelling. Indeed, he was with him most of the time, even staying up with him at night to discuss the affairs of the Muslims. The same was true of ʿUmar ibn al-Khattāb—may Allah be pleased with him—for the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—would often say:

“I went in with Abū Bakr and ʿUmar, and I went out with Abū Bakr and ʿUmar.”

Yet despite this:

“When Abū Bakr—may Allah be pleased with him—was asked about a grandmother’s share of inheritance, he said: ‘There is no share prescribed for you in the Book of Allah, and I know of none for you in the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace. But ask the people.’ He then asked them, and al-Mughīrah ibn Shuʿbah and Muhammad ibn Maslamah stood up and testified that the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—had awarded her one-sixth.”

ʿImrān ibn Husayn also conveyed this Sunnah. These three were not on a par with Abū Bakr and the other caliphs, yet they possessed knowledge that the caliphs lacked concerning this Sunnah, which the community has unanimously agreed to follow.

Likewise, ʿUmar ibn al-Khattāb—may Allah be pleased with him—did not know the Sunnah concerning seeking permission to enter until Abū Mūsā informed him of it and corroborating testimony was sought from the Ansār. Yet ʿUmar was more knowledgeable than those who related this Sunnah to him. Nor did ʿUmar know that a woman inherits a share of the blood money paid for her husband’s death; rather, he held