I have heard from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). Then he quoted the hadith having nearly the same meaning as the one which has been narrated by Uqail on the authority of al-Zuhri (and which his gone before) except that in his version he said: Then 'Ali stood up, extolled the merits of Abu Bakr mentioned his superiority, and his earlier acceptance of Islam. Then he walked to Abu Bakr and swore allegiance to him. (At this) people turned towards 'Ali and said: you have done the right thing. And they became favourably inclined to 'Ali after he had adopted the proper course of action.
Commentary on the Pledge of Allegiance to Abu Bakr
This narration from Sahih Muslim 1759 b, found in The Book of Jihad and Expeditions, recounts a pivotal moment in Islamic history following the Prophet's demise. The scholar Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, in Fath al-Bari, explains that this event demonstrates the political wisdom and religious commitment of the Companions.
Significance of Ali's Action
Ali ibn Abi Talib's delayed pledge was not due to opposition to Abu Bakr's leadership, but rather his preoccupation with family matters and the Prophet's burial. His subsequent public endorsement carried immense weight due to his close kinship with the Prophet and his esteemed position among the Muslims.
Al-Nawawi, in his Sharh Sahih Muslim, emphasizes that Ali's explicit mention of Abu Bakr's virtues—his early acceptance of Islam and superior merits—served to unite the community and remove any doubts about the legitimacy of Abu Bakr's caliphate.
Legal and Theological Implications
This incident establishes the principle of bay'ah (pledge of allegiance) as fundamental to Islamic governance. The scholars note that the people's favorable reaction to Ali's action demonstrates the importance of resolving leadership disputes through proper Islamic channels and maintaining communal harmony.
The narration also illustrates the superior merit (fadilah) of Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, whose leadership was acknowledged by even the most distinguished Companions like Ali, thereby confirming his rightful place as the first caliph in Sunni doctrine.