Biography of Imam `alĪ Ibn AbĪ-tĀlib

Istikhlaf Or Nomination of the Second Caliph

At the Saqifah, the foundation of democracy was raised in Islam. Whatever that democracy was, could not be continued with any more and nomination took its place. Therefore, Abū-Bakr, in his deathbed, decided to nominate `Umar. He called `Uthman and `Abd al-Rahman ibn `Awf and took their advice. `Abd al-Rahman said that the choice was right but `Umar had an element of anger and cruelty in his nature. `Uthman fully supported the idea and said that it was for the betterment of the Ummah to nominate `Umar as the next caliph. After this discussion Abū-Bakr sent the two persons away. He again called `Uthman to prepare the document of nomination. When he started dictating, and only the preamble was written when Abū-Bakr swooned and became unconscious. `Uthman knew what he was intending to dictate. Therefore, during the period of the unconsciousness of the caliph `Uthman wrote, “I have nominated `Umar ibn al-Khattab as caliph.”

When Abū-Bakr revived from his unconsciousness he asked what was written. `Uthman read to him what he had written down. He asked `Uthman whether he hurried writing down the name fearing that he might not revive and pronounce the name of his successor and that might cause unrest and differences amongst the Muslims? `Uthman nodded his agreement. Abū-Bakr said that Allah would Bless `Uthman for what he did!

After this document of succession was completed, Abū-Bakr called `Umar and gave him the document for safekeeping and to follow the decree recorded therein. `Umar took the document from him and asked people to pledge that they would abide by the decree of the first caliph! One person asked `Umar, what was written in the document? `Umar said he was not aware of what was written in the document but affirmed that the contents of the document were binding for him. The person said, “But by Allah! I know what is written in the document. Last year you made him the caliph and now he is leaving creating you the caliph!”[1]


[1] Al-Imāmah was-Siyāsah, Vol 1, Page 33

When this news spread, some people remained quiet out of discretion and some started protesting against the nomination. Therefore, a group of Muhajirūn and Ansar came to Abū-Bakr and said, “O Deputy of the Prophet! Nominating Ibn al-Khattab as your successor you have placed a ruler over our heads! When you go to the presence of Allah, what reply will you give Him?”[1]

Talhah ibn `Ubaydullah too expressed dissatisfaction on the nomination and said, “You have imposed `Umar over the people as caliph and ruler. You know fairly well that with you around how much hardship he was putting them to! Now he will have total authority to do what he wished to do! What reply will you give to Allah when He asked you questions about the people?”[2]

It has been the attitude of the democratic regimes to beat the drums about the peoples’ right to elect their representatives. But when they are elected, they keep aside the people’s rights and do what suits their own interests. Then the democracy gets restricted to one or a few persons only. The democracy of Saqifah Banū-Sa`idah came to such a pass. In about two years and half it got restricted to two or three persons! If the process of nomination is accepted, we shall have to acknowledge that the selection of the caliph is not determined by the opinion of the populace. Even if Abū-Bakr was the people’s representative, he was not given the authority to nominate his successor unilaterally. In no democratic regime such an authority is ever given. Even if Abū-Bakr expressed his choice, it was only to `Abd al-Rahman ibn `Awf and `Uthman and none else. One of them thought it futile to oppose the nomination and the other wholeheartedly supported the nomination to reap the benefits in the future! The opinion of two persons cannot be termed as the opinion of all the people. If he really wanted advice of the men of wisdom, he could have consulted `Abbas ibn `Abd al-Muttalib about whom the Prophet (a.s) had said that he was his uncle and his ancestors’ representative. Even `Ali Ibn Abi-Talib (a.s) was available who had been with the Prophet (a.s) from the beginning of his Annunciation. They had an excuse that he was not invited to come to the Saqifah of Banū-Sa`idah because he was preoccupied with the last rites of the Prophet (a.s) at that time. But for this nomination process Abū-Bakr had no excuse why he avoided consulting `Ali (a.s) on this very important matter. It is surprising that `Ali (a.s) was consulted on all important matters like the ghazawat etc, and his wisdom was praised by


[1] Talkhīs al-Hubbayr, Page 348
[2] Tārīkh al-Tabarī, Vol 2, Page 621

everyone, including the new coterie, but now he was totally forgotten in this very vital decision. According to the opinion of the Prophet (a.s), `Ali (a.s) was having the first right to be the caliph. But here he was not even consulted on the matter!

Anyway, those who accepted the caliphate on the flimsy democratic process concluded at the conclave of Saqifah, surrendered themselves to the rule of `Umar as well. Abū-Bakr, after being on the throne for two years, three months and ten days, left this world on 22 Jumada II 13 H leaving the reins of power in the hands of `Umar.