It is narrated from Abu Mas'ud that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) said to the Quraysh: "This matter of caliphate is among you and you are its guardians as long as you do not do anything because of which Allah Almighty takes it away from you. When you do such a thing, Allah Almighty will set over you the most wicked people of creation, and they will strip you as a branch is stripped."