The Illustrious Sahaabah The Illustrious Sahaabah of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)
The Lofty Position of Hazrat Abu Ubaidah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) in the Sight of Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu)
After the demise of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), the Ansaar had gathered in Saqeefah Bani Saa’idah (the orchard of Bani Saa’idah) to appoint a khaleefah from among themselves.
At that time, Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) were in the home of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and were unaware of what was transpiring. While they were in the home, Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) suddenly heard a voice calling from outside saying, “O son of Khattaab! Come out (as I wish to discuss something with you)!” However, Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) replied, “Go away, for I am busy now (at that time, the blessed body of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was still in his home and had not yet been buried)!”
The voice then said, “Come out, as something major is about to transpire. The Ansaar have gathered to appoint a leader from among them, so go to them before an issue arises and a war breaks out between you and them.”
Hearing this, Hazrat Abu Bakr and Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) immediately left the home of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and proceeded to Saqeefah Bani Saa’idah. En route, they met Hazrat Abu Ubaidah bin Jarraah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) who also accompanied them.
After reaching Saqeefah Bani Sa’eedah, a lengthy discussion ensued between Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and the Ansaar. Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) explained to them that he heard Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mention that the khaleefah can only be appointed from the Quraish, and since they were not the Quraish, the Khaleefah cannot be from them.
Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) then said to the Ansaar whilst holding the hands of Hazrat Umar and Hazrat Abu Ubaidah (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma), “I am happy for you to choose any one of these two personalities (to be the khaleefah of the Muslims, thus appoint whichever one of them you wish).” (Musnad Ahmad #391)
At that time, Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) addressed the Ansaar and said, “O people of the Ansaar! Do you not know that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had commanded Abu Bakr to lead the people in salaah? Which one of you would then have the courage to stand in front of Abu Bakr (and lead the salaah as the Khaleefah)?” Hearing this, the Ansaar submitted, “We seek refuge in Allah that we should stand in front of Abu Bakr!” (Fathul Baari 12/175)
Thereafter, Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) held the hand of Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and pledged allegiance to him, followed by Hazrat Abu Ubaidah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and then the Ansaar. Thereafter, all the other Sahaabah also pledged allegiance to Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu).
From this we incident, we see the great position of Hazrat Abu Ubaidah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), that Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) suggested that he should be the first khaleefah of Islam. However, all the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum), including Hazrat Abu Ubaidah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), did not accept this proposal, and they all agreed that there is no Sahaabi who is greater than Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and he is the most worthy of the khilaafat.
