Editing Caliphate (section)

=== Succession to Muhammad ===
{{Main|Succession to Muhammad}}
{{See also|Saqifa}}
In the immediate aftermath of the death of Muhammad, a gathering of the [[Ansar (Islam)|Ansar]] (natives of [[Medina]]) took place in the ''saqifa'' (courtyard) of the [[Banu Sa'ida]] clan.{{sfn|Fitzpatrick|Walker|2014|p=3}} The general belief at the time was that the purpose of the meeting was for the Ansar to decide on a new leader of the [[Muslim community]] among themselves, with the intentional exclusion of the [[Muhajirun]] (migrants from [[Mecca]]), though this has later become the subject of debate.<ref>{{cite book |first=Wilferd |last=Madelung |title=The Succession to Muhammad |year=1997 |page=[https://archive.org/details/TheSuccessionToMuhammadByWilferdMadelung/page/n50 31] |url=https://archive.org/details/TheSuccessionToMuhammadByWilferdMadelung}}</ref>

Nevertheless, [[Abu Bakr]] and [[Umar]], both prominent companions of Muhammad, upon learning of the meeting became concerned of a potential coup and hastened to the gathering. Upon arriving, Abu Bakr addressed the assembled men with a warning that an attempt to elect a leader outside of Muhammad's own tribe, the [[Quraysh]], would likely result in dissension as only they can command the necessary respect among the community. He then took Umar and another companion, [[Abu Ubayda ibn al-Jarrah]], by the hand and offered them to the Ansar as potential choices. He was countered with the suggestion that the Quraysh and the Ansar choose a leader each from among themselves, who would then rule jointly. The group grew heated upon hearing this proposal and began to argue among themselves. Umar hastily took Abu Bakr's hand and swore his own allegiance to the latter, an example followed by the gathered men.<ref>{{harvtxt|Madelung|1997|page=32}}</ref>

Abu Bakr was near-universally accepted as head of the Muslim community (under the title of caliph) as a result of ''Saqifah'', though he did face contention as a result of the rushed nature of the event. Several companions, most prominent among them being [[Ali ibn Abi Talib]], initially refused to acknowledge his authority.<ref>{{harvtxt|Fitzpatrick|Walker|2014|p=3}}</ref> Ali may have been reasonably expected to assume leadership, being both cousin and son-in-law to Muhammad.<ref>Valerie J. Hoffman, ''The Essentials of Ibadi Islam'' (2012), p. 6</ref> The theologian [[Ibrahim al-Nakha'i]] stated that Ali also had support among the Ansar for his succession, explained by the genealogical links he shared with them. Whether his candidacy for the succession was raised during Saqifah is unknown, though it is not unlikely.<ref>{{harvtxt|Madelung|1997|pages=32–33}}</ref> Abu Bakr later sent Umar to confront Ali to gain his allegiance, resulting in [[Attack on Fatima's house|an altercation]] which may have involved violence.<ref>{{harvtxt|Fitzpatrick|Walker|2014|p=186}}</ref> However, after six months, the group made peace with Abu Bakr and Ali offered him his fealty.<ref>{{harvtxt|Fitzpatrick|Walker|2014|p=4}}</ref>