Abu Bakr Becomes Caliph

The community chooses Abu Bakr al Siddiq as the first caliph, and he holds it together through its most fragile hour.

After the passing of the Prophet ﷺ, the Muslims of Madinah pledged allegiance to Abu Bakr, his closest companion. In a short caliphate of two years he steadied the community, addressed the movements that broke away after the Prophet ﷺ passed, and set a tone of humility, saying: I have been given authority over you, and I am not the best of you.