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Chapter Four

The Traditions Concerning The Virtues Of The Al Khulafa’ Al Rashidin

 

The narrations of the Ahlul Bayt on the virtues of Sayyidina Abu Bakr al Siddiq

 

He is the most superior of this ummah after Nabi salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam

 

The narration of Sayyidina ‘Ali:

 

قال علي ألا أخبركم بخير هذه الأمة بعد نبيها أبو بكر ثم قال ألا أخبركم بخير هذه الأمة بعد أبي بكر عمر

Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu asked, “Should I not inform you of the most superior of this ummah after their Nabi?”

[The people replied positively.]

He said, “Abu Bakr.”

He then asked, “Should I not inform you of the most superior of this ummah after Abu Bakr?

[The people replied positively.]

He said, “‘Umar.”[1]

 

Allah honoured the Ummah by appointing him Khalifah over them

 

The narration of Abu Wa’il from Sayyidina ‘Ali:

 

عن أبي وائل قال قيل لعلي بن أبي طالب رضي الله عنه ألا تستخلف علينا قال ما استخلف رسول الله صلى الله عليه و آله و سلم فأستخلف و لكن إن يرد الله بالناس خيرا فسيجمعهم بعدي على خيرهم كما جمعهم بعد نبيهم على خيرهم

Abu Wa’il reports that Sayyidina ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib radiya Llahu ‘anhu was asked [before his demise], “Will you not appoint a khalifah over us?”

He replied, “Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam did not appoint a khalifah so why should I? But if Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala desires good for the people, he will unite them after me upon the most superior of them just as He united them after their Nabi upon the most superior of them.”[2]

 

He was the best ruler after Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam

 

The narration of Sayyidina ‘Abdullah ibn Jafar:

 

عن عبد الله بن جعفر قال ولينا أبو بكر فما ولينا أحد من الناس مثله

Sayyidina ‘Abdullah ibn Jafar radiya Llahu ‘anhuma says, “Abu Bakr became our ruler and no one ruled us like he did.”[3]

 

His practice was in accordance to Rasulullah’s salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam practice

 

The narration of ‘Abd Khayr from Sayyidina ‘Ali:

 

عن عبد خير قال قام علي على المنبر فذكر رسول الله صلى الله عليه و آله و سلم فقال قبض رسول الله صلى الله عليه و آله و سلم و استخلف أبو بكر فعمل بعمله و سار سيرته حتى قبضه الله عز و جل على ذلك ثم استخلف عمر فعمل بعملهما و سار سيرتهما حتى قبضه الله على ذلك

Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu stood on the pulpit and spoke about Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.

He then said, “Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam passed away and Abu Bakr was appointed khalifah. He practiced in accordance to his practice and followed his path until Allah took his life in this very condition. Thereafter ‘Umar was appointed khalifah. He practiced according to their practice and followed their path until Allah took his life while he was upon this.”[4]

 

Leading the people in salah during the final illness of Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam

 

The narration of Sayyidina ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas:

 

عن ابن عباس قال لما مرض النبي صلى الله عليه و آله و سلم أمر أبا بكر أن يصلي بالناس ثم وجد خفة فخرج فلما أحس به أبو بكر أراد أن ينكص فأومأ إليه النبي صلى الله عليه و آله و سلم فجلس إلى جنب أبي بكر عن يساره و استفتح من الآية التي انتهى إليها أبو بكر

Sayyidina Ibn ‘Abbas radiya Llahu ‘anhuma states, “When Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam fell ill, he ordered Abu Bakr to lead the people in salah. He then felt a little better so he came out. As Abu Bakr perceived his presence, he intended to stepback. Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, however, gestured to him to stay and sat on the left side of Abu Bakr and began reciting from the verse Abu Bakr had completed.”[5][6]

 

Sayyidina Abu Bakr is Rasulullah’s salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam brother and Companion

 

The narration of Sayyidina ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas:

 

عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما عن النبي صلى الله عليه و آله و سلم قال لو كنت متخذا من أمتي خليلا لاتخذت أبا بكر و لكن أخي و صاحبي

Sayyidina Ibn ‘Abbas radiya Llahu ‘anhuma relates from Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, “Had I taken a bosom friend from my ummah, I would have taken Abu Bakr. However, he is my brother and Companion.”[7]

 

Close all the doors except Abu Bakr’s door

 

The narration of Sayyidina ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas:

 

عن ابن عباس قال خرج رسول الله صلى الله عليه و آله و سلم في مرضه الذي مات فيه عاصبا رأسه بخرقة فقعد على المنبر فحمد الله و أثنى عليه ثم قال إنه ليس من الناس أحد أمن علي في نفسه و ماله من أبي بكر بن أبي قحافة و لو كنت متخذا من الناس خليلا لاتخذت أبا بكر خليلا و لكن خلة الإسلام أفضل سدوا عني كل خوخة في هذا المسجد غير خوخة أبي بكر

Sayyidina Ibn ‘Abbas radiya Llahu ‘anhuma reports, “Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam came out in his final illness with his head tied with a piece of cloth. He sat on the pulpit and after praising and glorifying Allah he affirmed, ‘There is no one more gracious to me in his life and wealth than Abu Bakr ibn Abi Quhafah. Had I taken a bosom friend from men, I would have taken Abu Bakr as my friend. However, the brotherhood of Islam is superior. Shut every door in this Masjid besides Abu Bakr’s.’”[8][9]

 

The narration of Sayyidina Abu Sa’id al Khudri:

 

عن أبي سعيد الخدري رضي الله عنه قال خطب رسول الله صلى الله عليه و آله و سلم الناس و قال إن الله خير عبدا بين الدنيا و بين ما عنده فاختار ذلك العبد ما عند الله قال فبكى أبو بكر فعجبنا لبكائه أن يخبر رسول الله صلى الله عليه و آله و سلم عن عبد خير فكان رسول الله صلى الله عليه و آله و سلم هو المخير و كان أبو بكر أعلمنا فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه و آله و سلم إن من أمن الناس علي في صحبته و ماله أبا بكر و لو كنت متخذا خليلا غير ربي لاتخذت أبا بكر و لكن أخوة الإسلام و مودته لا يبقين في المسجد باب إلا سد إلا باب أبي بكر

Sayyidina Abu Sa’id al Khudri radiya Llahu ‘anhu narrates that Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam addressed the people and said, “Undoubtedly, Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala has given His servant the choice between this world and what is by Him, and that servant has chosen what is by Allah.”

Abu Bakr began to cry and we were surprised at his crying since Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam [merely] informed of a servant who has been given a choice. However Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam was the servant given the choice and Abu Bakr was the most knowledgeable of us.

Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam then said, “The person who has favoured me the most in his companionship and wealth is Abu Bakr. Had I taken a khalil (bosom friend) besides my Rabb, I would have taken Abu Bakr. Nonetheless, brotherhood of Islam and its love still remains. Every door leading to the Masjid should be closed except the door of Abu Bakr.”[10]

 

His close attachment to Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam

 

The narration of Sayyidina ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas:

 

عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما قال وضع عمر بن الخطاب على سريره فتكنفه الناس يدعون و يثنون و يصلون عليه قبل أن يرفع و أنا فيهم فلم يرعني إلا برجل قد أخذ بمنكبي من ورائي فالتفت اليه فاذا هو علي رضي الله عنه فترحم على عمر رضي الله عنه وقال ما خلفت أحدا أحب إلي أن ألقى الله بمثل عمله منك و ايم الله إن كنت لأظن أن يجعلك الله مع صاحبيك و ذلك أني كنت أكثر أسمع رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم يقول جئت أنا و أبو بكر و عمر و دخلت أنا و أبو بكر و عمر و خرجت أنا و أبو بكر و عمر

Sayyidina Ibn ‘Abbas radiya Llahu ‘anhuma recalls, “When ‘Umar ibn al Khattab was placed on his bier, people surrounded him and began praising him, supplicating for him and sending salutations upon him prior to him being carried away. I was among them. I was alarmed by a man who caught hold of my shoulder from behind. I turned around and it was ‘Ali. He invoked mercy upon ‘Umar and said, ‘There is none with whose actions I would be more pleased to meet Allah with than yours. By Allah, I have conviction that Allah will unite you with your two companions [i.e. Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu]. This is owing to the fact that I often heard Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam saying, ‘I, Abu Bakr and ‘Umar came, I, Abu Bakr and ‘Umar entered, I, Abu Bakr and ‘Umar left.’”[11]

 

Sayyidina Ibn ‘Abbas recalls that Sayyidina ‘Umar would give preference to Sayyidina Abu Bakr over himself

 

The narration of Sayyidina ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas from Sayyidina ‘Umar:

 

عن ابن عباس قال قال عمر لأن أقدم فتضرب عنقي أحب إلي من أن أتقدم قوما فيهم أبو بكر

Sayyidina Ibn ‘Abbas radiya Llahu ‘anhuma narrates from Sayyidina ‘Umar radiya Llahu ‘anhu, “I being brought forward and executed is more pleasing to me than leading a populace among whom is Abu Bakr.”[12]

 

The first to gather the Qur’an between two covers

 

The narration of Sayyidina ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib:

 

عن علي رضي الله عنه قال إن أعظم الناس أجرا في المصاحف أبو بكر الصديق كان أول من جمع القرآن بين اللوحين

Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu states, “The person to receive the greatest reward in relation to the mushafs is Abu Bakr; he was the first to gather the Qur’an between two covers.”[13]

 

The angels’ presence at his side in the Battle of Badr

 

The narration of Sayyidina ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib:

 

عن علي قال قيل لعلي و لأبي بكر يوم بدر مع أحدكما جبريل و مع الآخر ميكائيل و إسرافيل ملك عظيم يشهد القتال أو قال يشهد الصف

Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu relates that on the Day of Badr, Abu Bakr and he were informed, “Jibril is with one of you while Mika’il is with the other. Israfil is a massive angel who attends the battle—or he said, is present in the row.”[14]

 

Sayyidina ‘Ali characterises Sayyidina Abu Bakr as Sadiq

 

The narration of Sayyidina ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib:

 

عن علي بن أبي طالب قال كنت إذا سمعت من رسول الله صلى الله عليه و آله و سلم حديثا نفعني الله بما شاء منه فإذا حدثني به غيره استحلفته فإذا حلف لي صدقته و عن أبي بكر حدثني و صدق أبو بكر أنه سمع النبي صلى الله عليه و آله و سلم قال ما من رجل يذنب ذنبا فيتوضأ فيحسن الوضوء ثم يصلي ركعتين فيستغفر الله عز و جل إلا غفر له

Sayyidina ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib radiya Llahu ‘anhu relates, “When I would hear a hadith from Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, Allah would benefit me from it as much as He willed. However, if someone besides him narrated it to me, I would make him swear an oath. If he swore an oath, I would believe him. Abu Bakr related to me and Abu Bakr spoke the truth that he heard Nabi salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam saying, ‘No man commits a sin and then performs wudu’ diligently followed by two rak’at of salah and thereafter seeks forgiveness from Allah, the Exalted and Glorified, except that he is forgiven.”[15]

 

Sayyidina ‘Ali’s admiration for the Caliphate of Abu Bakr and ‘Umar

 

The narration of Sayyidina ‘Ali:

 

عن علي رضي الله عنه أنه قال يوم الجمل إن رسول الله صلى الله عليه و آله و سلم لم يعهد إلينا عهدا نأخذ به في إمارة و لكنه شيء رأيناه من قبل أنفسنا استخلف أبو بكر رحمة الله على أبي بكر فأقام و استقام ثم استخلف عمر رحمة الله على عمر فأقام و استقام حتى ضرب الدين بجرانه

Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu acknowledged on the Day of Jamal, “Certainly, Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam did not give us clear instructions which we should observe with regards to leadership. It is a matter we decided ourselves. Abu Bakr was appointed khalifah, may the mercy of Allah be upon Abu Bakr. He established din and remained steadfast on the same. Thereafter ‘Umar was appointed khalifah, may the mercy of Allah be upon ‘Umar. He likewise established din and remained resolute on the same until it became firmly grounded.”[16]

 

Sayyidina Abu Bakr and Sayyidina ‘Umar are the leaders of the middle-aged men of Jannat

 

The narration of Sayyidina ‘Ali:

 

عن علي أن النبي صلى الله عليه و آله و سلم قال أبو بكر و عمر سيدا كهول أهل الجنة من الأولين و الآخرين ما خلا النبيين و المرسلين لا تخبرهما يا علي

Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu reports that Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam affirmed, “Abu Bakr and ‘Umar will be the leaders of the middle aged people in Jannat, those who preceded them and those who succeeded them, with the exception of the Ambiya’ and the Rusul (Messengers). Do not inform them, O ‘Ali!”[17]

 

The position of Sayyidina Abu Bakr is after the position of Nabi salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam

 

The narration of Sayyidina ‘Ali:

 

عن قيس الخارفي قال سمعت عليا يقول سبق رسول الله صلى الله عليه و آله و سلم و صلى أبو بكر و ثلث عمر ثم خبطتنا أو أصابتنا فتنة فما شاء الله أو أصابتنا فتنة يعفو الله عمن يشاء

Qais al Kharifi reports that he heard Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu saying, “Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam led, Abu Bakr was second, and ‘Umar came third. Thereafter fitnah struck us; and whatever Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala desired came to pass—or he said, fitnah afflicted us; Allah will forgive whom He wishes.”[18]

 

NEXT⇒ The narrations of the Ahlul Bayt on the virtues of Sayyidina ‘Umar al Faruq ibn al Khattab

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[1] Sahih al Bukhari, hadith no. 3671 from Muhammad ibn al Hanafiyyah from ‘Ali; Imam Ahmed in al Musnad from Abu Juhayfah at many places 833, 836, 837, etc., and in al Fada’il hadith no. 40, 41, and 44; al Tabarani in al Kabir from Abu Musa from ‘Ali vol. 1 pg. 65 from ‘Amr ibn al Hurayth from ‘Ali; Abu Nuaim in Akhbar Asbahan vol. 1 pg. 182; Ibn ‘Abdul Birr in al Isti’ab vol. 2 pg. 252 with his isnad from al Nazzal bin Sabrah from ‘Ali; and many others besides them.

[2] Al Hakim narrated it in al Mustadrak, Kitab Ma’rifat al Sahabah, bab dhikr Abi Bakr ibn Abi Quhafah vol. 3 pg. 84 hadith no. 4467 and stated, “Isnad is sahih but they have not narrated it.” Al Dhahabi agreed with him. Al Bayhaqi in al Kubra vol. 8 pg. 149 hadith 16350; Al Bazzar in his Musnad vol. 2 pg. 186 hadith 565. Al Haythami mentioned it in al Majma’ vol. 9 pg. 47 and stated, “Bazzar narrated it and his narrators are the narrators of al Sahih besides Ismail ibn Abi al Harith who is reliable.” Ibn Kathir said in al Bidayah wa al Nihayah vol. 5 pg. 251, “Al Bayhaqi narrated it and then said, ‘Its isnad is jayyid.”

[3] Imam Ahmed narrated it in al Fada’il hadith 148; Imam Shafi’i in al Umm vol. 1 pg. 163. The isnad of the hadith is sahih as stated by Wasi Allah ‘Abbas.

[4] Imam Ahmed narrated it in al Musnad no. 1055, 1059; Sheikh Shu’ayb al Arna’ut said, “His isnad is Hassan.” and in al Fada’il hadith no. 72 and 427. The muhaqqiq of al Fada’il, Wasi Allah ‘Abbas, declared it Hassan.

[5] Imam Ahmed narrated it in in al Musnad hadith 2055, 3355; Sheikh Shu’ayb al Arna’ut declared the isnad as sahih. Ibn Majah narrated it vol. 1 pg. 391; ibn Sa’d in Al Tabaqat vol. 2 pg. 221.

[6] Sayyidina Abu Bakr’s radiya Llahu ‘anhu leading the congregation in salah during the sickness of Nabi salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam is reported by a number of Sahabah:

1. Sayyidina Abu Musa radiya Llahu ‘anhu: Sahih al Bukhari 678; Sahih Muslim 420
2. Sayyidah Aisha radiya Llahu ‘anha: Sahih al Bukhari 679; Sahih Muslim 418
3. Sayyidina Anas radiya Llahu ‘anhu: Sahih al Bukhari 680, 681; Sahih Muslim 419
4. Sayyidina Ibn ‘Umar radiya Llahu ‘anhuma: Sahih al Bukhari 682
5. Sayyidina Sahl ibn Sa’d radiya Llahu ‘anhu: Sahih al Bukhari 684; Sahih Muslim 421

[7] Sahih al Bukhari, Fada’il al Sahabah, bab qawl al Nabi lo kuntu muttakhidhan khalilan hadith no. 3656.

[8] Abu Hatim ibn Hibban explained, “His statement, ‘Close all the doors in the Masjid except the door of Abu Bakr,’ is proof that the khalifah after Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam is Abu Bakr since Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam by this statement blocked the desire of all of them of becoming khulafa’ after him besides Abu Bakr.” See Sahih ibn Hibban vol. 15 pg. 275 hadith no. 6860.

[9] Sahih al Bukhari narrated it in Abwab al Masajid, bab khawkhah wa al mamarr fi al masjid hadith no. 467.

[10] Sahih al Bukhari, Kitab fada’il al Sahabah, bab qawl al Nabi salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam saddu al abwab illa bab Abi Bakr hadith no. 3654; Sahih Muslim, Kitab fada’il al Sahabah, bab min fada’il Abi Bakr hadith no. 2, 2382. The wording is al Bukhari’s. Muslim has the word khawkhah.

[11] Sahih al Bukhari, Fada’il al Sahabah, bab manaqib ‘Umar ibn al Khattab hadith no. 3685; 3677; Sahih Muslim, Fada’il al Sahabah, bab min fada’il ‘Umar radiya Llahu ‘anhu hadith 2389.

[12] Ibn Abi Shaybah narrated it in his Musannaf 31934. This hadith is a portion of a lengthy narration in Sahih al Bukhari 6830; Kitab al Hudud, bab rajm al hubla min al zina.

[13] Imam Ahmed narrated it in Fada’il al Sahabah hadith 280, 513, 514; Muhaqqiq declared its isnad as Hassan; Ibn Sa’d in al Tabaqat vol. 3 pg. 193; Ibn Abi Dawood in al Masahif pg. 5; Abu ‘Ubaid in fada’il al Qur’an 213 no. 537. Ibn Hajar mentioned it in al Fath vol. 9 pg. 12 and declared it Hassan. Ibn Kathir said in fada’il al Qur’an pg. 8, “This is a Sahih isnad.”

[14] Imam Ahmed narrated it in al Musnad no. 1257; Abu Ya’la vol. 1 pg. 283; al Bazzar hadith no. 659 al bahr al zakhkhar; al Hakim vol. 3 pg. 72 hadith no. 4430 and declared it sahih. Al Dhahabi indicated that it is according to the standards of Muslim; Ibn Abi ‘Asim in al Sunnah 1217; Ibn Sa’d in al Tabaqat vol. 3 pg. 175; Ibn Abi Shaybah in his Musannaf 31954. Al Haythami mentioned it in al Majma’ vol. 9 pg. 85 and attributed it to Abu Ya’la, al Bazzar and Ahmed and then sated, “The narrators of Ahmed and al Bazzar are the narrators of al Sahih.” It has been declared Sahih by al Albani in al Sahihah 3241, al Arna’ut in al Musnad 1257 and Hussain Salim Asad in Musnad Abi Ya’la 340.

[15] Imam Ahmed narrated it in Fada’il al Sahabah hadith 142, 642 and in al Musnad hadith 2; Abu Dawood, bab al salah hadith 1521; al Tirmidhi in Kitab al salah hadith 406 and declared it Hassan and in Tafsir al Qur’an 3006. Al Nasa’i narrated it in ‘amal al yawm wal 414, 417; Ibn Majah in iqamat al salah wa al Sunnah fiha hadith 1395. Ibn Kathir stated in al tafsir, “Hadith is Hassan,” in Surah Al ‘Imran ayah 135. Al Albani declared it Hassan. Declared sahih by al Arna’ut in al Musnad 2 and Hussain Salim Asad in Musnad Abi Ya’la 12.

[16] Imam Ahmed narrated it in al Musnad hadith 921 and in al Fada’il no. 477; al Hakim in al Mustadrak vol. 3 pg. 112 hadith no. 4558. Sheikh Ahmed Shakir declared it da’if in his notes on Musnad Imam Ahmed ibn Hambal vol. 2 pg. 181 no. 921. This is due to the uncertainty of the man who narrated it from Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu. However, it became apparent that the unknown man from the narration of Imam Ahmed is Sa’id ibn ‘Amr as appears in the narration of Ibn Abi ‘Asim 1218 who has been deemed reliable by the scholars. Hence, the isnad of the hadith is sahih.

[17] Al Tirmidhi, Kitab al Manaqib, bab manaqib Abi Bakr wa ‘Umar radiya Llahu ‘anhuma hadith no. 3666 and stated, “Hassan gharib”; Ibn Majah narrates it in the muqaddamah hadith no. 95; Imam Ahmed in Fada’il al Sahabah hadith no. 93, 141, 202; ‘Abdullah ibn Ahmed in Zawa’id al Musnad vol. 1 p. 80; Abu Ya’la in his Musnad hadith no. 533. Declared Sahih by al Albani in al Tirmidhi and al Silsilah al Sahihah and al Arna’ut in Takhrij al Musnad.

[18] Imam Ahmed narrated it in al Musnad, Musnad ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib radiya Llahu ‘anhu, hadith no. 895, 1020, 1258 and in Fada’il al Sahabah no. 241, 242, 244; al Bukhari in al Kabir vol. 7 pg. 173; al Hakim in al Mustadrak vol. 3 pg. 71 hadith no. 4426 and stated, “Isnad is sahih but they have not recorded it.” Al Dhahabi agreed with him. Al Tabarani in al Awsat vol. 2 pg. 177 hadith no. 1639. Al Haythami mentioned it in Majma’ al Zawa’id vol. 9 pg. 54 and said, “Ahmed narrated it and said: “’trials afflicted us,’ he intends to show humility by this statement.’ Al Tabarani narrated it in al Awsat and the narrators of Ahmed are reliable.” Al Arna’ut declared it sahih in al Musnad 895.