It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said on the day of the Battle of Jamal: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) did not say anything to us regarding leadership (caliphate), rather this is a matter which we—the Ummah—chose by our own judgment, and Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) was selected as caliph; may Allah have mercy on him. He fulfilled his responsibility excellently. After him, Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was selected as caliph, and he too fulfilled his responsibility so well that Islam prevailed over the entire earth.