AN EXAMPLE FROM
ABU BAKR

On the day of Hunayn, the Prophet of Islam distributed a large quantity of camels and wealth to many people. Among them were Al-Aqra ibn Habis al-Tamimi and Uyaynah ibn Hisn al-Fazari—each of whom was given one hundred camels as a gesture of goodwill. (Al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah, Vol. 7, p. 141)

On this basis, the two men—Al-Aqra ibn Habis and Uyaynah ibn Hisn—again approached Abu Bakr during his caliphate, as reported by Ibn Hammam. They requested a piece of land. In accordance with the practice of the Prophet of Islam, the first Caliph granted their request and, at their insistence, issued a written document assigning the land to them. The two men departed with the written order. Along the way, they encountered Umar, informed him of the grant, and showed him the document. Umar took the paper and tore it to pieces (fa mazzaqahu Umar), saying, “This was a temporary measure, not something permanent.”

Both men returned to Abu Bakr and recounted what had happened. They asked, “Are you the Caliph, or is it Umar?” Abu Bakr replied, “Rather, it is he, if it is anything at all.” In this matter, Abu Bakr agreed with Umar’s judgment, and none of the companions objected to the decision. (Tarikh Dimashq by Ibn Asakir, Vol. 9, pp. 195–196)

This incident involved not only a criticism of the first Caliph but also, on the surface, a form of disrespect. However, when Abu Bakr and the other companions learned of it, they gave no importance to those outward aspects. They only considered whether, in principle, Umar’s view was correct or not. And when it became clear that his stance was indeed correct, everyone accepted it.