Abu Bakr's servant...

Abu Bakr's servant, named Shudayd, came to the mosque and read a message from Abu Bakr and then, 'Umar mounted the pulpit.”[^5] “It is true to say that Abu Bakr would not be a caliph if it were not for 'Umar.[^6] When Abu Bakr wanted to appoint Khalid Ibn Sa'id as commander of the army, 'Umar managed to change his mind because Khalid swore allegiance to Abu Bakr only three months after the Saqifa gathering.[^7] Abu Bakr used to say he loved 'Umar more than others.”[^8] 'Umar addressed Ibn 'Abbas and said, “Indeed, if Abu Bakr did not believe me, he would set aside your share of the government, and in that case, your tribesmen (Quraysh) would hate you.”[^9] It was this belief in 'Umar that made Abu Bakr write an accord appointing 'Umar as his successor.

Once he said, “I appointed 'Umar to succeed me because I was afraid of eruption of any tension.”[^10] Before the appointment of 'Umar, Abu Bakr consulted 'Abd al-Rahman Ibn 'Awf. He praised the caliph and said 'Umar was a quick-tempered man. Abu Bakr said, “He shows to be so in contrast with my tender-heartedness. He will calm down when he takes power.” Abu Bakr consulted 'Uthman, too.

He said, ”'Umar's nature is better than his countenance.”[^11] This is all the consultation Abu Bakr made with the nobles of the Quraysh before appointing 'Umar. 'Uthman was always present in the caliph's bedside during his sickness. Abu Bakr asked him to write the contract of succession on his behalf. After the beginning of the contract was written, Abu Bakr fell into coma and 'Uthman who knew his assignment, finished the oath and wrote the name of 'Umar in it.

After regaining consciousness, Abu Bakr asked 'Uthman to read what he had written. He did so and Abu Bakr approved it.[^12] Following this, Talha came to Abu Bakr and said, “You witnessed how 'Umar behaves beside you and with your presence.