THE RIGHTLY GUIDED CALIPHS
(Abubakr As-sideeq)
Dr. Issah Abeebllahi Obalowu
How was Abubakr elected as the first caliph? There was neither a verse from the Qur’an nor a clear and explicit hadith of the Prophet (saw) explaining the method of selecting a successor (Khalifah) after the death of the Prophet. So, the ummah faced a challenging circumstance immediately after the demise of the Prophet (saw). However, the companions successfully and amicably solved the matter by exercising Ijma‘aa (consensus). Before the remains of the Prophet (saw) were buried, the Ansar gathered in the shed/shelter of Bani Saa‘idah to appoint Sa‘d bin ‘Ubaadah as the successor.
The Muahjirun gathered with Abubakr except few of them, such as ‘Ali, Zubayr, and others. ‘Umar told Abubakr to let them go to Ansaar for the discussion. So, Abubakr delivered a convincing speech and proved the right of the Muahjirun to be Khalifah. After some arguments, Abubakr proposed that either ‘Umar or Abu ‘Ubaydah should be elected as Khalifah. ‘Umar said to Abubakr, ‘Hold your hand out.' He held his hand out, and pledged allegiance to him, and then all the Muhajirun gave their Pledge of Allegiance, and so did the Ansar afterwards.
The next day, his election was announced in the Prophet’s Mosque by ‘Umar, where the other Muslims gave their pledge of allegiance to him while he was on the pulpit of the Prophet (saw). So, Abubakr was elected as the first successor of the Prophet (saw) based on the consensus of the companions.
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