First Sermon

In the history book Tabaqat al-Kubrat Ibn Sa‟d writes:  Aisha bint Abi Bakr says the following about her father Abu

Bakr:

“When my father‟s ailment became acute, certain people came to him and said, „O Caliph of the Prophet! What will you say to your Lord when He asks you about appointing

Umar over us?‟ Abu Bakr sat up with help and replied, „Are you here to teach me gnosis of Allah at the terminal point of my life? I will say to Allah that I appointed over them the best among people‟.” It is narrated in another tradition that Abu Bakr said, “Since among all of you I know Allah and Umar the most therefore I will say, „O Allah! I chose the best among Your men‟.” Few Companions showed their concern to Abu Bakr about the strict behaviour of Umar, to which he replied, “The heavy responsibility of caliphate will ultimately make him polite and mellow.” Abu Bakr called Usman ibn Affan and had him transcribe his will regarding Umar. Several Companions including Usman ibn Affan and Ali ibn Abi Talib already knew about the appointment of Umar. Thus, people were not skeptic or surprised when Umar became the second Caliph.

Abu Bakr passed away on 22nd Jumada ath-thani 13 AH and the next day Umar took over the position and responsibilities of caliphate. He then delivered his first sermon which is as follows: “O people! I am being tested through you and vice versa. I have been appointed your Caliph after Abu Bakr. I will be residing among you and resolve your matters myself while appoint strong and trustworthy governors (true believers according to another tradition) over the ones who are far away from here. The person