Introduction

According to Muslim tradition, the institution of the caliphate began in Medina, at the roofed assembly hall (saqīfa) of the tribe of Sāʿida. When the Prophet died in 11/632, the community split into three camps. His daughter Fāṭima, her husband ʿAlīb. Abī Ṭālib, and their followers “withdrew” to her house. The rest of the Meccan emigrants – the Muhājirūn – gathered around Abū Bakr and ʿUmar. Meanwhile, the Muslims native to Medina – the Anṣār – assembled at the Saqīfa. When they learned of the meeting, Abū Bakr and ʿUmar hastened to the Saqīfa as well. There they found the Anṣār preparing to elect a new leader and thereby wrest the leadership of the community away from the Muhājirūn.