for my muslim brothers and sisters?

Question

after the prophet passed away there was a lot of confusion in the muslim world upon picking a Caliph.
i just wont to know why hazrat abu bakr was picked instead of hazrat ali and hazrat umar becasue the muslims needed good leadership which hazrat ali and hazrat umar had.
(im not shia)

Answer 1

The first answerer has answered it well. There is also a very impressive incident that occurred after the porphet's death. He was with Hazrat Aisha at the time of his death and rumors were circulating that he is not well. Then the news came of his dead. Hazrat Umar in his state of shock and grief, pulled out his sword and threatened to kill anyone who said Mohammad (peace be upon him) was dead.

At that time Hazrat Abu Bakr came and went inside Hazrat Aiha's hujra (she was his daughter and he could go in) and confirmed the news. When he came out and saw Hazrat Umar in this state he narrated the aaya of Quran which says that Mohammad is nothing but the prophet of God. He then said to people that will you go back from your religion because Mohammad is dead. This made Hazrat Umer come out of the state of shock he was in. This also showed how strong and shock absorbng was Hazrat Abu Bakar. Later in his life, Hazrat Umer used to say that he understood fully the meaning of the worse that day from Abu Bakr.

The reason to choose Hazrat Abu bakr was that his was a personality free from all controversies. He was a Meccan but a Mahaajir. He had been the first to embrace Islam. He was with Mohammad (peace be upon him) in major tribulations of his life like for example the difficult period before Medina.

I would also like to draw the attention of Muslims towards a very important issue. Although, through my studies, I have reason to believe that Hazrat Ali (peace be upon him) never begrudged Hazrat Abu Bakar and Hazrat Umer their Khilafat, but even if we believe for a moment that he did, even then we have no right to judge among the sahaaba and make it a point of conflict between ourselves. They were all humans and they were not prophets. They, although, very pious, could make mistakes, have grudges, have preferences just like any humans and they were not prophets to be helped by divine revelation. Therefore, it is unbecoming of us, in modern times, to dwell upon past political and power struggles and make them the basis ofdividing our religion. Because the prophet of Allah just brought one religion, Islam. He did not bring Shia islam or Sunni Islam. So instead of wasting time in finding out and justifying the differences among the sects, our foremost duty is to find out what real Islam is and how can it be understood and implemented in our times. This is my request.

Answer 2

Ofcourse there are, now , many ifs & buts on this issue but the main problem at that time was to keep the tribes united under the banner of islam. The Tribe of Ansar had already chosen heir leader!

Although there were 10 closest companions of Muhammad called "ushere Mubashir"including Umar ben Khattab and Ali ben AbuTalib who could be chosen as caliph but Abu Bakar siddique was the only personality acceptable to all tribes of Medina hence he was called there and got favour of all the tribes.

Hazrat Ali and Umar not only accepted the decision of the majority but also supported Abu Baker during his life-time!

We should avoid such controversal questions here and should consult with Islamic authorities for more detail.

Blessings Be!!

Answer 3

Before Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) dies, he told his companions to choose a Caliph and that it should be by majority voting. Abu Bakr was the closest person to the Prophet, he was the first man to announce his conversion to Islam when the whole idea of Islam was very vague to everyone. He was the Prophet's companion in the great migration (hijra) and he was the most trusted person by Muhammad (PBUH). He also was the wisest of them all (also the oldest) and knew how Muhammad (PBUH) was thinking in every aspect of life, because he was there with him all the time. This does not mean that Umar or Ali were less important, but majority chose Abu Bakr because of the reasons I just mentioned, and then came Umar, Othman, Ali, Umar ..... and so on.

Answer 4

Dear brother,
There were "Insaar" (the local people of Madeena) and Muhaajereen (the migrated people from Makkah).
During the process of funral preparation of Muhammad pbuh, Umer Bin Khattab (may Allah be pleased on him), got an info that the Insaareen of Madeena have a secret meeting to select a Caliph, as they made a reference of a Hadith, that Muslim Ummah must not be without a leader, even for one day.
Abu Bakr Siddique (may Allah be pleased on him and Ali Bin Abu Taalib both were busy in the preparation of funeral of Muhammad pbuh.
Umer (rAta) called Abu Bakr (rAta) the senior most and the closest friend of Muhammad pbuh, (Ali Bin Abu Taalib was too young to be a Caliph), to rush to the place where the meeting was in progress.
There is a long story of discussions and finally everyone agreed to accept Abu Bakr Siddique, as Caliph of Islam.

The detailed info about the topic is mentioned in different historic books. I'll recommend you to refer, some of thesa books to study in detail.

Ali Bin Abu Taalib and his Uncle Abbas bin Abdul Mutlib (may Allah be pleased on him)were sitting near to Muhammad pbuh, during last few days of Muhammad pbuh, last sickness. Abbas (rAta) told Ali to go to Muhammad pbuh and ask Caliphate for yourself. Ali told him if Muhammad pbuh refused, then he would loose a chance for rest of his life. But without asking, he may become a Caliph in any part of his life.
It means Ali was not sure that Muhammad pbuh was really willing to accept him, capable to be a Caliph.
The time proved that Ali was not a successful Caliph.

Answer 5

Bukhari :: Book 5 :: Volume 57 :: Hadith 19
After the death of Prophet Mohammed(pbuh) Abu Bakr spoke and his speech was very eloquent. He said in his statement, "We are the rulers and you (Ansars) are the ministers (i.e. advisers)," Hubab bin Al-Mundhir said, "No, by Allah we won't accept this. But there must be a ruler from us and a ruler from you." Abu Bakr said, "No, we will be the rulers and you will be the ministers, for they (i.e. Quarish) are the best family amongst the 'Arabs and of best origin. So you should elect either 'Umar or Abu 'Ubaida bin Al-Jarrah as your ruler." 'Umar said (to Abu Bakr), "No but we elect you, for you are our chief and the best amongst us and the most beloved of all of us to Allah's Apostle." So 'Umar took Abu Bakr's hand and gave the pledge of allegiance and the people too gave the pledge of allegiance to Abu Bakr. Someone said, "You have killed Sad bin Ubada." 'Umar said, "Allah has killed him." 'Aisha said (in another narration), ("When the Prophet was on his death-bed) he looked up and said thrice, (Amongst) the Highest Companion (See Qur'an 4.69)'

Bukhari :: Book 5 :: Volume 59 :: Hadith 546
According to hadiths after the Prophet Mohammeds death fatimah sent someone to collect her inheritence. Which Was refused her by Abu Bakr because he said Prophet Mohammed(pbuh) said something of it is not inheritable. Ali never joined allengience with Abu Bakr until the death of Fatimah, he felt he was treated badly and this is why he decided to join allegiance with Abu Bakr then the Muslims started treating him better.

Answer 6

One of the Major reasons for the split of Muslims are: Ali was better than Abu Bakr, he should have been the Caliph 1500 YEARS AGO.. Is that sane; people????

Answer 7

Abu Bakr has kept the Muslim nation as one after prophet Mohamed (pbuh) passed away. He fought those who wanted to convert from Islam and those who claimed to be prophets after Mohamed (pbuh). The man did this part very well, as we can see we are still one Muslim nation (Almost). If it was not for him, Muslims would have scattered away and perhaps the religion would have faded away also. He was a great soldier of God. May God rest his blessed soul.

Answer 8

Abu bakar was eldest among those and having more experience. He has spent more time with prophet pbuh and was more guided by him for greater tasks.

Answer 9

Abu Bakr was picked because that is what the Prophet (peace be upon him) requested that before his death :-) Allah (God) knows best!

Answer 10

P. muhammad (pbuh) said when he was close to death"let AbuBaker be the Imam"... it means that Abu baker was eligable for being the Imam and the caliph...