When 'Umar b. al-Khallab was stabbed, it was suggested to him that he should appoint a successor. "Whom shall I appoint caliph?" was his reply. "If Abu 'Ubaydah b. al-Jarrah were alive, I would appoint him, and if my Lord questioned me, I would say, 'I heard Your prophet say that (Abu 'Ubaydah) was the guardian of this community.' If Salim, client of Abu Hudhayfah, were alive, I would appoint him, and if my Lord questioned me, I would say, 'I heard your prophet say that Salim loves God vehemently."' Someone said to ('Umar), "I can point to someone, 'Abdallah b. 'Umar." But ('Umar) replied, "God curse you! You were not saying this for God 's sake! You wretch! How can I appoint caliph someone who has been unable to divorce his wife! We have no desire [to get involved] in your affairs. I have not found (the caliphate) so praiseworthy that I should covet it for my own family. If things turn out well, we shall have gained our reward from them; but if they turn out badly, then it is enough for the family of 'Umar that (only one of them should be called to account and held responsible for what happened to Muhammad's community. I have striven and have kept my own family out. If I succeed in coming out [of all this] even, and no recompense [being given to me], I shall indeed be happy. I shall look [into the matter]: if I do appoint a caliph, then someone better than I has made the appointment; but if I abandon [the idea], someone better than I has [already] done this. God will never neglect His faith."

So (those with him) left and returned in the evening, suggesting to the Commander of the Faithful that he draw up a succession agreement. He replied, "I had decided after talking to you that I would look [into the matter] and appoint someone over you, the most suitable of you to bear you along the true path." And he indicated Ali. [He continued], "But I fell into a swoon and saw a man who had entered a garden that he had planted. He began to pick everything, both the young tender plants and the mature ones, clutching them to him and putting them beneath him. I knew that God was in control and was taking 'Umar into His mercy. I do not want to take on the burden (of the caliphate), dead as well as alive. You should [approach] that group of men who the Messenger of God said are 'among the people of paradise.' Sa'id b. Zayd b. 'Amr b. Nufayl is one of them. I am not bringing him into the matter, but rather the following six: 'Ali and 'Uthman, sons of 'Abd Manaf, 'Abd al-Rahman [b. 'Awf] and Sa'd [b. Abi Waqqas], maternal uncles of the Messenger of God, al-Zubayr b. al-'Awwam, the true friend and cousin of the Messenger of God, and Talhat al-Khayr b. 'Ubaydallah. Let them select one of themselves. When they appoint a leader, [you all] should give him good help and support. If he entrusts anyone of you with authority, he should convey to him what is committed to his care."

They left and al-'Abbas said to 'Ali, "Do not get involved with them." He replied, "I do not like dissension [in our family]." (Al-'Abbas) said, "Then you will see something you do not like!" When morning came, 'Umar summoned 'Ali, 'Uthman, Sa'd, 'Abd al-Rahman b. 'Awf, and al-Zubayr b. al-'Awwam and said, "I have looked into the matter and consider you to be the chiefs and leaders of the people. This matter will remain among you alone. When the Messenger of God died, he was well pleased with you. I have no fears for you with the people if you remain on the straight path. However, I do fear for you if there is a difference of opinion among you and the people then differ among themselves. Off you go to 'A'ishah's room, with her permission, and deliberate. Choose one of you." Then he added, "Do not go to 'A'ishah's room; rather stay near at hand." He put down his head, exhausted by the loss of blood.

('Umar) said to Abu Talhah al-Ansari, "For a long time had God strengthened Islam through you Helpers, Abu Talhah. Select fifty Helpers and urge them to choose one of them." To al-Miqdad b. al-Aswad he said, "When you put me into my grave, assemble these people in one room to choose one of their number." To Suhayb he said, "Lead the people in prayer for three days. Let into [the deliberations] 'Ali, 'Uthman , al-Zubayr, Sa'd, 'Abd al-Rahman b. 'Awf, and Talhah, if he arrives. Have 'Abdallah b. 'Umar present, but he shall have nothing to do with the matter [of the actual appointment]. Stay with them and if five agree to approve of one man, but one refuses, smash in his head, or strike it off with a sword . If four agree to approve of one man, but two refuse, cut off the (latters') heads. If three approve of one of them, and three approve of another, get 'Abdallah b. 'Umar to make a decision. Let whichever party in favor of which he makes his judgment select one of themselves. If they do not accept 'Abdallah b. 'Umar's judgment, be on the same side as 'Abd al-Rahman b. 'Awf. Kill the rest if they do not go along with the general consensus."

'Abd al-Rahman said, "Which one of you will withdraw from the (race for the caliphate), and undertake to appoint the best of you?" No one answered. So he continued, "I withdraw." 'Uthman said, "I am the first to accept [this]. I heard the Messenger of God say, '(`Abd al-Rahman) is trustworthy on earth and will be in heaven."' All the members, with the exception of Ali who remained silent, expressed their approval. So (Abd al-Rahman) said, "What do you say, Abu al-Hasan?" ('Ali) replied, "Give me your word you will consider truth paramount, you will not follow your whim, you will not show any preference for a relative, and you will not let the community down." (Abd al-Rahman) said [to the others], "Give me your solemn promises you will stand with me against anyone who reneges [on your final decision] and you will approve of anyone I choose for you. I impose a pact with God upon myself that I shall show no preference for a relative, because he is a relative, nor shall I let down the Muslims." He took a promise from them and similarly gave them his word.

So they went in and held secret discussions. But then their voices became raised and 'Abdallah b. 'Umar exclaimed loud enough for ('Umar) to hear, "God heavens, the Commander of the Faithful is not yet dead!" ('Umar) came to and said, "All of you, stop this! When I am dead, hold your consultations for three days. Let Suhayb lead the people in prayer. Before the fourth day comes you should have your commander from among you. 'Abdallah b. 'Umar will be there as adviser, but he shall have nothing to do with the matter [of the actual appointment]. Talhah shall share with you in the decision. If he comes within the three days, include him in your decision. If the three days go by and he does not come, make the decision nevertheless. Who will deal with Talhah for me?" "I shall," responded Sa'd b. Abi Waqqas, "and he will not give a differing view, God willing." 'Umar said, "I hope he will not give a differing view, God willing. I think one of these two, Ali or 'Uthman, will become leader. If it is 'Uthman, he is a gentle person; if it is Ali, he has a sense of humor. How suitable he is to carry them along the true road! If you appoint Sa'd, he is worthy of the office, but if not, the one appointed should seek his assistance. I have never dismissed him for disloyalty or weakness. How perceptive 'Abd al-Rahman b. Awf is! He is disposed to what is right. [He is] rightly guided and has a protector in God. Listen to what he has to say."

So they left. 'Ali said to some Banu Hashim who were with him, "If your people are obeyed [only] among themselves, you will never be appointed to positions of leadership."¹ Al-'Abbas came to him, and ('Ali) said, "(The caliphate) has slipped from us!" (Al-'Abbas) asked him how he knew. He continued, "('Umar) paired me with 'Uthman and told us [all] to fall in with the majority. If two approve of one, and two another, [he said], we should be on the same side as 'Abd al-Rahman b. 'Awf. Sa'd will not go against his cousin, 'Abd al-Rahman, who is related by marriage to 'Uthman. They will all (three) agree in their opinion. 'Abd al-Rahman will appoint 'Uthman to the caliphate, or 'Uthman will appoint 'Abd al-Rahman. If the other two were with me, they would be of no benefit to me, to say nothing of the fact that I have hope only of one of them."

Al-'Abbas said to him, "I have never urged you to do anything without your later responding to me by holding back in a way I do not like... Just learn one thing from me: whenever people make you a proposal, say no, unless they are appointing you [caliph]. Watch out for these people, they will continue to push us out of the matter [of the caliphate] until someone else takes our [rightful] place. I swear in God's name, no such person will get (the caliphate) without the help of some evil together with which no good will be of benefit!" 'Ali replied, "If 'Uthman survives, I shall certainly remind him of what has happened. If he dies, they will certainly take (the caliphate) by turns among themselves. If they do, they will certainly find me in a position they do not like."

(Abd al-Rahman) said to Ali, "You say you have most right of those present to the office because of your close relationship [to the Prophet] and your long standing in and the good deeds you have done in the cause of Islam, and you have not, [in saying so], said anything remote [from the truth]. But if you were not involved in the matter and were not here at all, whom would you think of them all has most right to (the office)?" He replied, "'Uthman." (Abd al-Rahman) took 'Uthman on one side and said, "You say you are a shaykh of Banu `Abd Manaf and related to the Messenger of God by marriage and his cousin, an excellent man of long standing [in Islam]-and you have not said anything remote from the truth and that (the caliphate) cannot therefore be taken from you. But if you were not here, which of the members do you think has most right to (the office)?" He replied, "Ali." Then ('Abd al-Rahmin) took al-Zubayr on one side and addressed him in the same way as he had Ali and 'Uthman. He replied, "'Uthman." Then ('Abd al-Rahmin) took Sa'd on one side and spoke to him. He answered "'Uthman." 'Ali met Sa'd and quoted, "'Fear God by whom you make demands one of another, and the wombs [which bore you]. God is ever watching you. I am asking you, in the name of the relationship (rahim) of this son of mine with the Messenger of God and that of my paternal uncle, Hamzah, with you, not to stand with 'Abd al-Rahman, assisting 'Uthman against me. I have connections 'Uthman does not."

'Ali replied, "If 'Uthman survives, I shall certainly remind him of what has happened. If he dies, they will certainly take (the caliphate) by turns among themselves. If they do, they will certainly find me in a position they do not like."

When they had said the morning prayers, ('Abd al-Rahman) convened the members [of the electoral council] and sent for all the Emigrants and the Helpers of long standing [in Islam] and of excellence and the military commanders who were [in Medina]. They all assembled and there was confusion among the people in the mosque. ('Abd al-Rahman) said, "People, everyone wants those of the garrison towns to return to them, having learned who their supreme commander is." Sa'id b. Zayd said, "We think you are worthy of (the caliphate)." He replied, "Give me some different advice! " 'Ammar [b. Yasir] said, "If you want the Muslims to be in full agreement, give 'Ali the oath of allegiance." Al-Miqdad b. al-Aswad said, "Ammar is right; if you give 'Ali the oath of allegiance, we shall say that we are in full agreement with what you are doing." Ibn Abi Sarh said, "If you want Quraysh to be in full agreement, give 'Uthman the oath of allegiance." 'Abdallah b. Abi Rabi'ah said, "He is right, if you give 'Uthman the oath of allegiance, we shall say that we are in full agreement with what you are doing." 'Ammar upbraided Ibn Abi Sarh, saying, "When did you ever give the Muslims any good advice?!"

Banu Hashim and Banu Umayyah held talks. 'Ammar said, "O people, God has ennobled us through His Prophet and strengthened us through His religion. How can you take this appointment away from those of the House of your Prophet?" A member of Banu Makhzum said, "You have gone too far, Ibn Sumayyah! Why should you have anything to do with Quraysh taking the leadership for themselves?" Sa'd b. Abi Waqqas said, "Get it over with, 'Abd al-Rahman, before our people fall into civil war." 'Abd al-Rahman said, " I have looked into [the matter] and consulted. Do not, members of the electoral council, lay yourselves open to criticism."

'Abd al-Rahman went round at night meeting the Companions of the Messenger of God and those army commanders and nobles who arrived in Medina and consulting with them. Everyone he took to one side gave him instructions to opt for 'Uthman. Then on the eve of the morning of the deadline, he came to the house of al-Miswar b. Makhramah well into the night and woke him up, saying, "You're asleep, when I have had very little tonight? Off you go and summon al-Zubayr and Sa'd!"

I went in to see 'Uthman and found him performing the witr prayer as dawn came up. I asked him if he would come to speak with my uncle. ('Uthman) in turn asked me, "Did he send you to anyone else?" I replied that he had also sent me to Ali. ('Uthman) said, "Which one of us did he order you to come to first?" I replied, "I asked him and he told me whichever one I wished. 'Ali is where the people sit." So he came with me and we all went in to see my uncle who was standing in the qiblah, praying. He left [his prayers] when he saw us, then he turned to 'Ali and 'Uthman and said, "I have asked about you and about others. I find that the people regard no one as equal to you two. Will you, 'Ali, give me your oath of office based on God's Book, the practice of His Prophet, and the deeds of Abu Bakr and 'Umar?" ('Ali) replied, "Indeed no, but [only] based on my own effort in all this and in accordance with my own ability." ('Abd al-Rahmin) turned to 'Uthman and said, "Will you give me your oath of office based on God's Book, the practice of His Prophet, and the deeds of Abu Bakr and 'Umar?" ('Uthman) said, "Indeed yes." Then ('Abd al-Rahmin) made a sign with his hand to his shoulders and said, "If you will come this way!"

So we got up and went to the mosque where someone gave out the cry, "Everyone in for prayer!" 'Uthman [later] said, "I held back, embarrassed by his haste to join 'Ali. I was at the back of the mosque." 'Abd al-Rahman appeared wearing the very turban that the Messenger of God had put on him and carrying his sword. He went up into the minbar where he stood for a long time. Then he said a prayer that the people did not hear.

('Abd al-Rahman) then spoke, "O people, I have questioned you in secret and openly on the question of [who will be] your leader. I have found that none of you regard [anyone else] as equal to one of these two, 'Ali or 'Uthman. Come forward to me, 'Ali." He did so and stood beneath the minbar. 'Abd al-Rahman took his hand and said, "Will you give me your oath of office based on God's Book, the practice of His Prophet, and the deeds of Abu Bakr and 'Umar?" He replied, "No, but based on my own effort in all this and in accordance with my own ability." ('Abd al-Rahman) let go of ('Ali's) hand and called out, "Come forward to me, 'Uthman." He took him by his hand, as ('Uthman) stood where 'Ali had stood, and said, "Will you give me your oath of office based on God's Book, the practice of His Prophet, and the deeds of Abu Bakr and 'Umar?" ('Uthman) replied, "Indeed yes!" So (Abd al-Rahman) stretched right up to the ceiling of the mosque, his hand still in 'Uthman's hand. Then he said, "O God, hear and bear witness! O God, I have placed what was my own responsibility in all this upon 'Uthman." The people crowded round to give 'Uthman the oath of allegiance, until they reached him at the minbar. 'Abd al-Rahman sat down where the Prophet sat in the minbar, and he sat 'Uthman down on the second step. The people began to give him the oath of allegiance, but Ali excused himself. 'Abd al-Rahman quoted, "He who breaks his word, does so to his own detriment; he who keeps the agreement he has made with God, He will bring him a great reward." Then 'Ali came back, pushing his way through the people, and gave the oath of allegiance, saying, "Deceit! What deceit!"

The group of people whom `Umar had selected as candidates for the Caliphate gathered and consulted each other. `Abdur-Rahman said to them, "I am not going to compete with you in this matter, but if you wish, I would select for you a caliph from among you." So all of them agreed to let `Abdur-Rahman decide the case. So when the candidates placed the case in the hands of `Abdur-Rahman, the people went towards him and nobody followed the rest of the group nor obeyed any after him. So the people followed `Abdur-Rahman and consulted him all those nights till there came the night we gave the oath of allegiance to `Uthman. Al-Miswar (bin Makhrama) added: `Abdur-Rahman called on me after a portion of the night had passed and knocked on my door till I got up, and he said to me, "I see you have been sleeping! By Allah, during the last three nights I have not slept enough. Go and call Az-Zubair and Sa`d.' So I called them for him and he consulted them and then called me saying, 'Call `Ali for me." I called `Ali and he held a private talk with him till very late at night, and then 'Ali, got up to leave having had much hope (to be chosen as a Caliph) but `Abdur-Rahman was afraid of something concerning `Ali. `Abdur-Rahman then said to me, "Call `Uthman for me." I called him and he kept on speaking to him privately till the Mu'adh-dhin put an end to their talk by announcing the Adhan for the Fajr prayer. When the people finished their morning prayer and that (six men) group gathered near the pulpit, `Abdur-Rahman sent for all the Muhajirin (emigrants) and the Ansar present there and sent for the army chief who had performed the Hajj with `Umar that year. When all of them had gathered, `Abdur- Rahman said, "None has the right to be worshipped but Allah," and added, "Now then, O `Ali, I have looked at the people's tendencies and noticed that they do not consider anybody equal to `Uthman, so you should not incur blame (by disagreeing)." Then `Abdur-Rahman said (to `Uthman), "I gave the oath of allegiance to you on condition that you will follow Allah's Laws and the traditions of Allah's Apostle and the traditions of the two Caliphs after him." So `Abdur-Rahman gave the oath of allegiance to him, and so did the people including the Muhajirin (emigrants) and the Ansar and the chiefs of the army staff and all the Muslims.

'Ali said, "You ['Abd al-Rahman] have always been partial in his ['Uthman] favor. This is not the first time you have banded together against us. But '[my course is] comely patience and God's help is to be asked against what you describe.' (Quran: 12:18)¹ You have appointed 'Uthman only so that the rule will come back to you. 'Every day God exercises power." (Quran: 55:29) 'Abd al-Rahman retorted, "Do not lay yourself open to criticism, Ali. I have looked into the matter and consulted the people. They regard no one as the equal of 'Uthman." Ali left, saying, "[God's] decree will come in its time! " Al-Miqdad said, "You have indeed, 'Abd al-Rahman, passed up the one who makes decisions based 'on the truth and thereby acts justly."

('Abd al-Rahman) replied, "I have indeed exerted all my efforts for the Muslims, Miqdad." (The former) said, "If you sincerely did what you did for God's sake, may He reward you as He does those who do good." [But] al-Miqdad said, "I have never seen such things as have been visited upon the people of this House after the death of their Prophet. I am amazed at Quraysh that they have abandoned someone who cannot be matched in my opinion in knowledge and the ability to act justly. What indeed if I were to find supporters against 'Uthman" 'Abd al-Rahman replied, "Fear God, Miqdad, I am afraid you will cause dissension." Someone questioned al-Miqdad, "God have mercy upon you, who are the people of this house and who is this man?" He replied, "The people of the house are Banu al-Muttalib and the man is Ali b. Abi Talib." 'Ali said, "The people are looking to Quraysh, while Quraysh are [also] looking to their own house. (Quraysh) say that, if Banu Hashim are put in authority over you, (the caliphate) will never leave them; but so long as it is in the hands of [clans] other than (Banu Hashim) of Quraysh, you will pass it around among yourselves."

Talhah arrived on the day on which the oath of allegiance was given to 'Uthman. He was asked to give his own oath to 'Uthman, but asked, "Do all Quraysh approve of him?" and was told they did. He came to 'Uthman and the latter said, "You still have your options open; if you refuse [to give me the oath of allegiance], I shall reject (the caliphate)." Talhah said, "Will you really reject it?" 'Uthman replied that he would. Talhah asked, "Have all the people given you the oath of allegiance?" 'Uthman replied that they had. (Talhah) said, "Then I approve; I shall not go against the general consensus." He gave ('Uthman) the oath of allegiance.

Al-Mughirah b. Shu'bah said to 'Abd al-Rahman, "You were right to give 'Uthman the oath of allegiance, Abu Muhammad." He also said to 'Uthman, "If 'Abd al-Rahman had given the oath of allegiance to anyone other than you, we would not have agreed." But Abd al-Rahman retorted, "You one-eyed liar! If I had given anyone else the oath of allegiance , you would have done so also and would have said what you say now."

Al-Farazdaq said: Suhayb led the prayer for three nights; then (`Abd al-Rahman) handed over (the caliphate) to Ibn 'Affan, unlimited authority,

A caliphate [which passed on] from Abu Bakr to his colleague, [Abu Bakr] rightly guided and ['Umar] under his command they were [all] sincere friends."

Al-Miswar b. Makhramah used to say, "I have never seen a man get the better of a group of people in the matter in which they were engaged more effectively than 'Abd al-Rahman b. 'Awf did of (the electoral council) in this case."²