He said (1): “Furthermore, it has been authentically established in a narration that (2) a woman said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, what if I return and do not (3) find you?’—as though she meant (4) his death. He said, ‘Then go to Abū Bakr.’” He said (5): “This is an unequivocal text establishing Abū Bakr’s appointment as successor.”

He said (6): “Furthermore, the report has been transmitted through sound chains: the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said to Aisha (7), during the illness in which he died (8): ‘I had indeed thought of sending for your father and your brother, writing a document, and issuing a solemn directive, lest (9) someone say, “I am more entitled,” or anyone aspire to it; but Allah and the believers will accept none but Abū Bakr.’” (10).

(* It is also narrated (11): “Allah, His Messenger, and the believers will accept [none but Abū Bakr]” (12) *) (13). And it is narrated