Whoever says that he becomes imam through the agreement of one, two, or four people who do not possess effective power and strength has erred. Likewise, whoever thinks that the withholding of one, two, or ten people undermines his imamate has erred.

Abū Bakr received the pledge of allegiance from the Emigrants and the Helpers, who were the trusted inner circle of the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—and through whom Islam acquired power and might, the polytheists were vanquished, and the Arabian Peninsula was conquered. Thus, the majority of those who had pledged allegiance to the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—were the very ones who pledged allegiance to Abū Bakr. As for Umar or someone else (1) having been the first to give the pledge, every pledge of allegiance (2) must necessarily have someone who acts first. Even if it were assumed that some people disliked giving the pledge, this would not detract from its purpose. His entitlement to the imamate itself is established by the proofs of the revealed law, which show that he was the most entitled of them to it. Once those proofs have been established, the opposition of anyone who contradicts them causes no harm. The imamate’s actual establishment and existence are secured through the attainment of effective power and authority, with the compliance (3) of those who possess strength.

The true religion therefore requires both the Book that guides and the sword that gives support, as Allah Most High says:

{“Indeed, We sent Our messengers with clear proofs, and sent down with them the Scripture and the balance so that people might uphold justice. And We sent down iron, in which there is great might and benefits for people, so that Allah may make evident those who support Him and His messengers without seeing Him.”}

[Surah al-Hadīd: 25] (4).