Candidate for Supreme Ruler

The death of Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) was a great shock to all the companions including Abu Ubaidah (radi Allahu anhu). But they understood that their religion was now complete and that they had to carry it on from here themselves.

Abu Ubaidah (radi Allahu anhu) and some other Muslims were busy preparing the body of the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) for burial, when they received news that the Ansar had gathered at the Saqifah (meeting place) of Banu Sa'aadah, to decide the successor from amongst themselves. This day is known in history as the Day of Saqifah.

This was a delicate issue and could have resulted in a great fitna. Abu Bakr, Umar and Abu Ubaidah (radi Allahu anhum) acted quickly to resolve the matter. They immediately went to the meeting and Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) suggested that the Khalifah should be from the tribe of the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) in order for him to be acceptable to all of the Arabs. The Quraish had additionally, always held religious authority in Arabia anyway.

When all agreed to this, Abu Bakr held up Abu Ubaidah's hand along with Umar's and asked the people of Medina to pledge loyalty to either of them as the first Khalifah of Rasul Allah. [The Pious Caliphs, Dr Majid Ali Khan]

Umar ibn al-Khattab said to Abu Ubaidah (radi Allahu anhuma), "Stretch forth your hand and I will swear allegiance to you for I heard the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) say, 'Every Ummah has an Ameen (trustworthy custodian) and you are the Ameen of this Ummah.'"

"I would not," declared Abu Ubaidah referring to Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhuma), "put myself forward in the presence of a man whom the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) commanded to lead us in prayer and who led us right until the Prophet's death."

Umar (radi Allahu anhu) then reminded all present of the virtues of Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) saying: "Abu Bakr is the best of all of us because Allah has mentioned him in the Quran saying, 'The one amongst two in the cave.'" He also reminded them of Abu Bakr's excellence at every occasion during the life of the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam), including his having been appointed by Rasul Allah as the leader of the Hajj caravan and as the Imam of the Muslims in prayer, during his final illness. All present then gave bay'ah (the oath of allegiance) to Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (radi Allahu anhu). [The Pious Caliphs]

It is important to note here, that contrary to power seeking and power grabbing, which we see as the common practice today without exception, Abu Ubaidah (radi Allahu anhu) had wept and said it was unthinkable for him to even be considered for such a position when Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) was present. He rejected the post and preferred to remain a humble member of the Ummah. Abu Ubaidah (radi Allahu anhu) continued to be a close adviser to Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) and his strong supporter in the cause of truth and goodness.

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