these (1) hadiths and others like them are among the evidence cited by those who say that his caliphate was established by explicit designation. The point here is that many of Ahl al-Sunnah say (2) that his caliphate was established by explicit designation, and they base this upon well-known, authentic hadiths.

There is no doubt that their position is more tenable than that of those who say that the caliphate of Alī or al-Abbās was established by explicit designation. The latter have nothing but sheer lies and falsehoods, whose falsity is necessarily known to anyone familiar with the history of Islam, or else they appeal to phrases that do not indicate any such thing—such as the hadith concerning Alī’s appointment as deputy during the campaign of Tabūk, and similar reports that we shall discuss, Allah Most High willing.

In response, it is said: If the caliph must be explicitly designated, then accepting this designation has greater warrant than accepting that one (3); and if this is not necessary, then that claim is invalid.

The correct conclusion is that the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—indicated to the Muslims that Abū Bakr should succeed him and guided them to this through numerous words and deeds. He foretold Abū Bakr’s caliphate in terms expressing his approval of it and praise for him. He resolved to issue a written directive to that effect, but then, knowing that the Muslims would unite behind him, he deemed this sufficient and left it unwritten. He later resolved to do so during his illness, on Thursday. Then, when some of them (4) became uncertain as to whether—