It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said to Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him): I heard people talking about certain things, so I resolved to mention those things to you. People are saying that you are not appointing anyone as a caliph. Upon hearing this, Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) lowered his head for a while, then raised it and said: Indeed, Allah Almighty will protect His religion. If I do not appoint anyone as a caliph, then the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) also did not appoint anyone. And if I do appoint someone as a caliph, there is no harm in that either, because Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) did appoint someone. Upon hearing this, Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: By Allah! When he mentioned the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), these two personalities, I knew that he would not equate anyone with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and would not appoint anyone as a caliph.