Then, he said, ‘Now then, we are the Ansar (Helpers) of...

Then, he said, ‘Now then, we are the Ansar (Helpers) of Allah and the battalion of Islam, and you Muhajirun are a small group. Some people from your people have come, seeking to cut us off from our root and to prevent us from authority.’ When he became silent, I intended to talk and I had prepared a speech which I really loved. I intended to deliver it in the presence of Abu Bakr, and I used to avoid provoking him.

So, when I wanted to speak, Abu Bakr said, ‘Wait a while’, and I hated to make him angry. Therefore, Abu Bakr spoke, and he was more patient and more dignified than I was. I swear by Allah, he did not miss a sentence that I really loved from my prepared speech, except that he said the like of it or better than it spontaneously, until he fell silent. So, he said, ‘What you stated about yourself in terms of good things, you truly deserve it.

And this authority will never be recognized except for this living person from Quraysh. They are the best of the Arabs in terms of lineage and family .’”[^1] ‘Umar, who told his staunchly pro-Abu Bakr version of what happened, nonetheless gives us insights into the state of the Ummah immediately after the death of its Prophet.

The Sahabah were divided into three political camps: (a) the camp of Abu Bakr and his supporters; (b) the camp of ‘Ali, ‘alaihi al-salam , supported by al-Zubayr, and their supporters; and (c) the camp of the Ansar. The Ansar held the military advantage, being the overwhelming majority of the Islamic soldiers. The Muhajirun were only a small group, with little or no numerical or military significance. Yet, they were nonetheless divided into the opposing camps of Abu Bakr and ‘Ali.

What we get from all this, is that the Ansar – who had numerical and military strength – were united while the Muhajirun – despite their serious numerical and military disadvantages – were divided. Naturally, whoever controlled the Ansar would hold the real political and military powers. ‘Umar was well aware of this. Therefore, instead of going to the camp of ‘Ali to resolve the political dispute, he took the party of Abu Bakr to the Ansar, to try to win them over.

Moreover, looking at the arguments of Abu Bakr against the Ansar, one understands fully…