49/16. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 3663 — Guidance After the Prophet
Regarding the Virtues Of Both Abu Bakr and Omar, May Allah Be Pleased With Them Both
Hadith About Abu Bakr and Umar as Guides After the Prophet
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 3663
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 3663
حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى بْنِ سَعِيدٍ الأُمَوِيُّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، عَنْ سَالِمٍ أَبِي الْعَلاَءِ الْمُرَادِيِّ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ هَرِمٍ، عَنْ رِبْعِيِّ بْنِ حِرَاشٍ، عَنْ حُذَيْفَةَ، رضى الله عنه قَالَ كُنَّا جُلُوسًا عِنْدَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ " إِنِّي لاَ أَدْرِي مَا بَقَائِي فِيكُمْ فَاقْتَدُوا بِاللَّذَيْنِ مِنْ بَعْدِي " . وَأَشَارَ إِلَى أَبِي بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرَ .
Hudhaifa Narrated from:
We Were Sitting With The Prophet (ﷺ) And He Said: 'I Do Not Know How Long I Will Be With You, So Stick To The Two After Me,' And He Signaled Towards Abu Bakr And 'Umar.
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3663In-book reference : Book 49, Hadith 59English translation : Vol. 1, Book 46, Hadith 3663
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 3663
This hadith about Abu Bakr and Umar gives a fuller scene than the shorter wording. Hudhaifah says they were sitting with the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم when he said he did not know how long he would remain among them. Then he told them to stick to the two after him and signaled toward Abu Bakr and Umar. The focus of the hadith is not a long explanation, but a clear sign and command. It shows that Abu Bakr and Umar were not mentioned in passing. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم pointed to them in front of those present, making their role easy to understand for anyone hearing the narration.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم connected future guidance to Abu Bakr and Umar in this narration.
- The signal toward both Companions makes the meaning clear in the text.
- The hadith teaches respect for those whom the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم pointed out.
- A simple gathering with the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم became a source of lasting teaching.
