his hand, a large bucket. I have never seen a man of such prowess draw water as he did; he continued until the people had watered their camels and settled them at their resting places.”

Thus, he described Abu Bakr as weaker. Whether he meant the brevity of his tenure or his inability to match ʿUmar’s strength, there is no doubt that Abu Bakr was stronger in faith than ʿUmar, while ʿUmar was stronger in action. As Ibn Masʿūd said:

“We have enjoyed strength and honour ever since ʿUmar embraced Islam.”

Strength of faith is greater and more complete than strength in action. A person of faith may have the reward of another’s deeds recorded for him: a reward equal to that for ʿUmar’s conduct as ruler is recorded for Abu Bakr, since it was he who appointed him as his successor. In the Musnad, it is reported through two chains of transmission from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace:

“The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was weighed against the community and outweighed it. Then Abu Bakr was weighed against the community and outweighed it. Then ʿUmar was weighed against the community and outweighed it.”

During the Prophet’s lifetime, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and after his death, ʿUmar gained through Abu Bakr faith and knowledge that he had not previously possessed. Abu Bakr encouraged him to do the good he did and exerted himself to help him do it. Someone who helps bring about an action, while firmly resolved that it should be done, is like the one who performs it. As established in an authentic hadith, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Whoever equips a warrior has himself gone on campaign, and whoever takes good care of his family in his absence has himself gone on campaign.”

He also said:

“Whoever directs someone to a good deed will have a reward like that of the one who performs it.”

And he said:

“Whoever provides a fasting person with food to break his fast will have a reward like his.”

Al-Tirmidhī also narrated:

“Whoever consoles someone afflicted by a calamity will have a reward like his.”

These and other reports show that two people may be equal in outward deeds—or indeed, one may surpass the other—yet the one whose outward deeds are inferior may be superior before Allah because the faith in his heart is superior. But when they differ in the faith within their hearts, the one inferior in that respect can never be superior before Allah