the people Ibn Abī Quhāfah? Is Ibn Abī Quhāfah among the people? Is Ibn Abī Quhāfah among the people?’

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: ‘Do not answer him.’ He then asked: ‘Is Ibn al-Khattāb among the people? Is Ibn al-Khattāb among the people? Is Ibn al-Khattāb among the people?’

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: ‘Do not answer him.’” The hadith continues at length.

Thus Abū Sufyān, the leader of the confederates, asked only about these three: the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, Abū Bakr and ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both, because he knew that they were the leaders of the Muslim army.

Al-Rashīd said to Mālik ibn Anas: “Tell me about the standing of Abū Bakr and ‘Umar in relation to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.” He replied: “Their position in relation to him during his lifetime was like their position after his death.” Al-Rashīd said: “You have set my mind at rest, Mālik.”

When the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, passed away and Abū Bakr was appointed his successor, Allah Most High endowed him with a firmness he had not possessed before, to the point that he surpassed ‘Umar in this respect. He fought the apostates after equipping Usāmah’s army. This perfected his character in keeping with the perfection of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, whose successor he had become.

When ‘Umar was appointed successor, Allah endowed him with a tenderness and mercy he had not possessed before, perfecting his character so that he became Commander of the Faithful. This is why the former appointed Khālid, while the latter appointed Abū ‘Ubaydah.

Yazīd ibn Abī Sufyān governed Syria until ‘Umar took office. Yazīd ibn Abī Sufyān then died, and ‘Umar appointed Mu‘āwiyah in place of his brother Yazīd ibn Abī Sufyān. And Mu‘āwiyah remained