The Eighth Section of VE Fey: Leaving a Caliph in Place of Another
Umar (radiyallahu anhu) narrated:
My father, Umar (radiyallahu anhu), said: If I were not to appoint a successor for me, I would truly be following the example of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), for indeed the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) did not appoint a successor at the time of his death.
If I were to appoint a successor for me, I would truly be following Abu Bakr, for indeed Abu Bakr appointed me as his successor.
Ibn Umar said: I swear by Allah that my father never mentioned anyone besides the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and Abu Bakr, and I understood that he would not equate anyone with the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), nor would he appoint a successor. [622]