"So I told Abu Bakr to give me his hand for me to swear him allegiance.

"So I told Abu Bakr to give me his hand for me to swear him allegiance."' ( 7 ) Without delay Abu Bakr extended his hand. First Bashir b. Sa'd came forward and grasped his hand as a token of allegiance and he was followed in this by 'Umar. Then the others rushed forward and gave Abu Bakr their allegiance. ( 8 ) While this was proceeding an ( 87 )…