Editing Abu Bakr (section)

=== Saqifa ===
{{Main|Succession to Muhammad|Saqifa}}

In the immediate aftermath of Muhammad's death, a gathering of the [[Ansar (Islam)|Ansar]] (Natives of Medina) took place in the {{Transliteration|ar|[[Saqifa]]}} (courtyard) of the [[Banu Sa'ida]] clan.{{sfn|Fitzpatrick|Walker|2014|p=3}}{{sfn|Madelung|1997|pp=30–2}}{{Sfn|Lecomte|2022}} The general belief at the time was that the purpose of the meeting was for the Ansar to decide on a new leader of the [[Ummah|Muslim community]] among themselves, with the intentional exclusion of the [[Muhajirun]] (Immigrants from Mecca), though this has later become the subject of debate.<ref>{{cite book |first=Wilferd |last=Madelung |title=The Succession to Muhammad |date=1997 |page=31 |url=https://archive.org/details/TheSuccessionToMuhammadByWilferdMadelung}}</ref>

Nevertheless, Abu Bakr and Umar, upon learning of the meeting, became concerned of a potential coup and hastened to the gathering. Upon arriving, Abu Bakr addressed the assembled men with a warning that an attempt to elect a leader outside of Muhammad's own tribe, the [[Quraysh]], would likely result in dissension, as only they can command the necessary respect among the community. He then took Umar and Abu Ubaidah by the hand and offered them to the Ansar as potential choices. [[Habab ibn Mundhir]], a veteran from the battle of Badr, countered with his own suggestion that the Quraysh and the Ansar choose a leader each from among themselves, who would then rule jointly. The group grew heated upon hearing this proposal and began to argue amongst themselves.<ref name=MadelungP30-31>{{harvtxt|Madelung|1997|pp=30–31}}</ref> The [[oriental studies|orientalist]] [[William Muir]] gives the following observation of the situation:<ref>William Muir, ''The Caliphate - Its Rise, Decline, and Fall'' (1891), p. 2</ref>

{{blockquote|The moment was critical. The unity of the Faith was at stake. A divided power would fall to pieces, and all might be lost. The mantle of the Prophet must fall upon one Successor, and on one alone. The sovereignty of Islam demanded an undivided Caliphate, and Arabia would acknowledge no master but from amongst Koreish.}}

Umar hastily took Abu Bakr's hand and swore his own allegiance to the latter, an example followed by the gathered men. The meeting broke up when a violent scuffle erupted between Umar and the chief of the Banu Sa'ida, [[Sa'd ibn Ubadah]]. This event suggests that the choice of Abu Bakr was not unanimous, with emotions running high as a result of the disagreement.<ref name=MandelungP32>{{harvtxt|Madelung|1997|page=32}}</ref>

Abu Bakr was near-universally accepted as head of the Muslim community (under the title of [[Caliphate|Caliph]]) as a result of Saqifah, though he did face contention because of the rushed nature of the event. Several companions, most prominent among them being [[Ali ibn Abi Talib]], initially refused to acknowledge his authority.{{sfn|Fitzpatrick|Walker|2014|p=3}} Among Shi'ites, it is also argued that Ali had [[Event of Ghadir Khumm|previously been appointed]] as Muhammad's heir, with the election being seen as in contravention to the latter's wishes.<ref>{{cite book |first1=Bernhard |last1=Platzdasch |first2=Johan |last2=Saravanamuttu |title=Religious Diversity in Muslim-majority States in Southeast Asia - Areas of Toleration and Conflict |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7ThpBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA364 |date=6 August 2014 |publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian Studies |isbn=978-981-4519-64-9 |page=364}}</ref> Abu Bakr later sent Umar to confront Ali, resulting in [[Umar at Fatimah's house|an altercation]] which may have involved violence.{{sfn|Fitzpatrick|Walker|2014|p=186}} However, after six months the group made peace with Abu Bakr and Ali offered him his allegiance.{{sfn|Fitzpatrick|Walker|2014|p=4}}