More than one scholar—including Mansūr ibn Abd al-Jabbār al-Samānī and others—reported a consensus among the learned that al-Siddīq was the most knowledgeable member of the Muslim community. This is evident: whenever the community differed over an issue during his caliphate, he settled it on the basis of knowledge that he made clear to them and proof from the Quran and Sunnah that he presented to them. Thus, he made clear to them that the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—had died, kept them steadfast in faith, and recited the verse to them (1). He then explained where the Prophet was to be buried. He also established that those who withheld zakat were to be fought [when Umar had doubts about it] (2). At the Saqīfah of Banū Sāidah, he further made clear to them that the caliphate belonged to Quraysh, when some had thought that it could belong to those outside Quraysh.

The Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—appointed him to lead the first Hajj undertaken from the Prophet’s city. Knowledge of the pilgrimage rites is the most intricate aspect (3) of worship; had his knowledge of them not been extensive, the Prophet would not have appointed him. Likewise, he appointed him to lead the prayer in his stead; had he not possessed knowledge of it, he would not have appointed him. He appointed no one else in his stead, whether for Hajj or for prayer.

Anas received from Abū Bakr the written ordinance concerning alms that the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—had prescribed. It is the most authentic report transmitted on the subject, and the jurists relied upon it.

In sum, Abū Bakr is not known to have erred in any question of Islamic law, whereas many such errors are known of others, as has been explained at length elsewhere.

After him, the Companions differed over several issues, such as the grandfather and siblings, and such as