Wifāq ul Ulāma (SA) ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH AFRICAN 'ULAMA
When Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) commenced dictating the letter and he reached the point where the name of Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was going to be written, he fell unconscious before he could mention the name of Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) immediately continued the letter for Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) by writing, “I have appointed ‘Umar, the son of Khattaab, as the Khalifah over you.”
On regaining consciousness, Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) said to Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), “Read to me what you have written.” Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) thus read the sentence in which Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was appointed as the Khalifah. Hearing this, Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) exclaimed, “Allahu Akbar! I see that you feared that if I had passed away while unconscious, before the name of Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) could be written, people could have differed regarding the Khilaafah. May Allah Ta‘ala reward you well on behalf of Islam and the Muslims (for writing the name of Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) as I also feel that he is the most worthy for the Khilaafah after my demise). I take an oath in the name of Allah! You have the capability of becoming the Khalifah!”
Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) then instructed for the letter to be sealed and thereafter handed it to Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) to read to the people. Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) went to the people with Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and Hazrat Usaid bin Sa‘eed Al-Qurazi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and said to them, “Will you pledge allegiance to the person who has been appointed as the Khalifah in this letter?” The people said yes, and Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) further said, “We know whose name is contained in the letter – it is Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu).” The other people also expressed their desire that Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) be appointed as the Khalifah, and they all happily and wholeheartedly pledged allegiance at his hands.
(Hayaatus Sahaabah 2/ 31-33)
