Abu Bakr (ra) offering to return the Caliphate to the People
Transmitted by:
Abu Naim (ra) in Fadail us Sahabah, Al Kanz Vol III p131.
Al Tabrani Vol III p131.
Hayatus Sahabah (The Lives of the Sahabah), Vol II p24-25.
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
Abu Bakr (ra) once said, "Friends! If you think that I have obtained the
caliphate from you because I was attracted towards it or I had a desire to
establish my superiority on you or the Muslims in general, it is all wrong
and I swear by the Power Who holds my life, I have not accepted the
Caliphate because of its attraction or for the dominance over yo or the
Muslims nor have I developed any greed for the same nor have I prayed to
Allah, the Sublime, overtly or covertly. In fact. I have shouldered such a
burden which I have no strength to carry on, but with the Help and Favour of
Allah. I wish it to be transferred to such a person who keep justice and
hence I give it back to you and I absolve myself of your pledge of
allegiance. Now hand over the Caliphate to one whom you consider popular
among you. As for me, I am a person like you"
Transmitted by Abu Naim (ra) in Fadail us Sahabah, Al Kanz Vol III p131
Isa bin Attiya (ra) reports, "Abu Bakr (ra) delivered his speech in the
morning following pledge f allegiance to him and said, 'Friends! I hereby
return your vote to you, as I am no better that you. Pledge your allegiance
to a better person.' At this, the Sahabah got up and said, 'O Caliph of the
Messenger of Allah! By Allah, you are better than all of us.'
Transmitted by Al Tabrani Vol III p131
Hence they are under the protection and in the neighbourhood of Allah. If
you can afford to do something which makes Allah abandon His demand on you,
then do anything for I also have a satan who visits me so often. Now if you
find me upset, you keep yourselves away from me for I might give some
trouble to your face and hair. Friends! Try to keep proper accounts of he
wages of your slaves; verily the flesh is nourished by unlawful means is not
fit to enter heaven. Keep a close watch on me. Help me, if I am keeping
right, if I go wrong put me right. Follow me till I am obeying Allah and do
not pay any heed to me if I defy Allah.
Abu Jehaf narrates that after being acknowledged as the Caliph, Abu Bakr
(ra) got his doors closed upon himself for three days and would go telling
people that he returned their allegiance, and they should choose Caliph
after their heart. But on every occasion, Ali (ra) would stand in the way
and declare, 'We would neither take back our allegiance nor want you to give
it back. Certainly the Messenger of Allah has upgraded you and hence who can
dare degrade you'.
Zaid bin Ali (ra) reports from his forefathers that once Abu Bakr (ra)
declared from the pulpit of the Messenger of Allah, 'If someone things this
allegiance (bait) undesirable, I am ready to get it returned.' He declared
it thrice, and every time Ali (ra) would stand up and say 'No! No! No! we
shall neither take back our allegiance from you nor would wish you to return
it. Who can dare remove you, when the Prophet (pbuh) has given you
preference?'
Hayatus Sahabah (The Lives of the Sahabah), Vol II p24-25
