Question
Please verify this narration:
قام علي على المنبر فذكر رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال: قبض رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم واستخلف أبو بكر، فعمل بعمله وسار بسيرته، حتى قبضه الله على ذلك، ثم استخلف عمر فعمل بعملهما، وسار بسيرتهما، حتى قبضه الله على ذلك
Answer
This narration appears in Musnad Ahmad [Zawaid ibn Imam Ahmad]. Imam Abu Bakr ibn Abi Shaybah (rahimahullah) has recorded a longer version.
(Musnad Ahmad, vol. 1 pg. 128, Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, Hadith: 38208)
‘Allamah Haythami (rahimahullah) has declared the narrators of Musnad Ahmad reliable (thiqat).
(Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 5 pg. 176)
Translation
Sayyiduna ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu) once stood on the pulpit and mentioned Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). He then said, ‘Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) passed away and Abu Bakr (radiyallahu ‘anhu) was appointed as the khalifah, Abu Bakr (radiyallahu ‘anhu) acted/executed his tasks in accordance to how Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) did so and he followed Nabi’s (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) way until he passed away. ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu) was then appointed as the khalifah, he too executed his tasks in accordance to how Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and Abu Bakr did so and he followed them until he passed away.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar