This too is said to constitute a legitimate means of selecting the caliph.

This too is said to constitute a legitimate means of selecting the caliph. 3: The third method consists of the caliph nominating his own successor. This happened in the case of 'Umar who was appointed caliph by Abu Bakr without any objection being raised by the Muslims. Such in essence is the position of the Sunnis on this matter.

Let us now review the objections to which each of these proceedings is subject The necessity of the inerrancy of the Imam of his possessing a firm grasp and a comprehensive command of all religious matters in both principle and detail is rooted in the Qur'an and the Sunnah as well as being vindicated by historical experience.

Ali the oppression wrongdoing ( 230 ) corruption and error that we see in Islamic history arose from the fact that the leaders did not have the necessary qualities of an Imam. Even if all the members of the Islamic ummah choose a given individual as Imam and successor to the Prophet peace and blessings be upon him and his family this cannot in and of itself bestow legitimacy and validity on his caliphate.

As for the caliphate of Abu Bakr all the Muslims in any event did not swear allegiance to him so there was no question of any true consensus being formed. It is also an undeniable historical fact that no real election took place in the sense of all the Muslims who were scattered in various places converging on Madinah to take part in an electoral process.

Indeed not all the people of Madinah participated in the meeting where the decision was made and some of the Prophet's Family and as well as some of those present at the Saqifah refused to proclaim their loyalty to Abu Bakr. 'Ali b. Abi Talib peace be upon him al-Miqdad Salman al-Zubayr 'Ammar b. Yasir 'Abdullah b. Mas'ud Sa'd b. 'Ubadah 'Abbas b. 'Abd al-Muttalib Usamah b. Zayd Ibn Abi Ka'b 'Uthman b.

Hunayf as well as a number of other leading objected vocally to the caliphate of Abu Bakr and by no means concealed their opposition. How then can the caliphate of Abu Bakr be regarded as having rested on consensus? It might be said that the participation of everyone in the selection of the successor to the Prophet is not necessary and that if a number of leading and well-informed people reach a certain decision this is enough and entitles the caliph to acceptance and obedience.