ABU BAKR’S LAST ILLNESS
On the 7th of Jumadah Al-Aakherah, 13 AH – the 8th of August 634 C.E. Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq, may Allah be pleased with him, fell ill with a roaring fever. Everything was done to bring the fever down, but all was in vain. It became clear to the aged caliph that his end had come.
Even suffering on his last days and passing through the agony of death, Abu Bakr’s mind was preoccupied with the future of Islam. He wanted to make sure that nothing would go wrong with the Muslim’s affairs after his absence. Hence he spent every ounce of his energy neutralizing the violent storms of unrest that broke loose after the death of the Prophet , peace and blessings be upon him. He did not want this to happen after his own death.
Abu Bakr Nominates ‘Umar as Caliph
The Muslims’ welfare had always been Abu Bakr’s priority, may Allah be pleased with him. He allowed nothing to prevail that would weaken Islam after his demise. What lie feared most was division among Muslims. Knowing and fearing division between Muslims, like after the death of the Prophet , peace and blessings be upon him, he wanted to avoid a repetition of this by trying to ensure that no differences that existed would divide Muslims after his farewell. The strength of the Muslim community lay in unity, and as such it had to be preserved at any cost.
As his health deteriorated and he took a serious turn for the worse, Abu Bakr gave more and more thought to his successor. Should he himself name the best man. or should he leave the matter to be decided by the people after his death? In the latter case, quarrels might arise, since he had seen some confusion after the death of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, for the election of a caliph. These would certainly shake the very foundations of Islam. He was in an awkward position and it was a perplexing issue. Abu Bakr was not willing to take that risk, and thus he preferred to let the Muslims decide the matter in his presence.
After deep thought and thorough investigation, he nominated ‘ Umar Ibn Al-Khattaah, may Allah be pleased with him. He summoned the Shura (consultation) Council in order to discuss the issue of electing the second Muslim caliph. Most of the Companions agreed with Abu Bakr’s proposal, save for someone’s objection on Umar’s strictness. He said, “No doubt, ‘ Umar is the best of men, but he is rather strict.” That was the only ground on which ‘Ali and Talhah. may Allah be pleased with them both, did not agree with Abu Bakr on. But Abu Bakr rejected their plea on the grounds that the burden of the caliphate would make him gentler.
Since there was no opposition to Abu Bakr’s view, ‘ Umar was declared the next caliph of the Muslims, and all the Companions of the Prophet, including ‘Ali and Talhah, swore allegiance to him.
Although the appointment (election) of ‘ Umar Ibn Al- Khattaab did not take place in the same way as it happened with Abu Bakr, it was democratic in the sense that the nomination of ‘Umar took place after fair consultation with the Shura Council.
When all Companions agreed. Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, summoned ‘ Uthmaan Ibn ‘ Affaan, may Allah be pleased with him, and dictated to him ‘Umar’s nomination. He ordered him to write: “Bismillaah-irrahmaanir- Raheem (In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful). This is the will of Abu Bakr Ibn Abi Quhaafah while he is about to leave this world and head for the next (the Hereafter), and at a time when even a non-believer starts to believe, a great sinner returns to repose faith in Allah, and even a liar starts to tell the truth. I appoint’ Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab as your caliph after I pass away. So listen to him and obey (his orders). I have spared no effort in doing good for the Sake of Allah, His Prophet , and for seeking the welfare of His Religion and you, and for myself. If he deals with you justly, this is what I expect from him, but if he acts otherwise, then to every man will come the punishment of the sin he earned. I am keen on bringing about welfare (to you), yet I know nothing about the unseen. And soon the wrong-doers will know what vicissitudes their affairs will take!” Then, the will was sealed, and Uthmaan came out with ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab and Ibn Sa’eed Al-Qurazi to read out the will to the people. ‘ Uthmaan said: “Do you agree to pledge allegiance to the one referred to in this will (i.e. ‘ Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab)?” They all replied in the affirmative, and then pledged allegiance to Umar, may Allah be pleased with him.
After obtaining the people’s approval in general terms, Abu Bakr lay on the bed, and prayed: “O Allah! I have taken this step in the best interest of the Muslims. I feared disunion among them, so I took this step, the consequences of which are best known to You. I spared no effort and exercised my personal judgment and appointed for them a man who is the best and the strongest of them, who is a very keen worker for the wellbeing of the people. O Allah, they are Your slaves; their affairs lie in Your Hands, so set right for them their affairs, and keep them on the right path. Make him C Umar) one of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs, help him follow the guidance of the Prophet of mercy (Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him), and the guidance of the righteous servants after him. (O Allah) set right for him the affair of his nation.”
(Source: Biographies of the Rightly Guided Caliphs.)
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