The Prophet Muhammad used to confer with his Companions over every matter that arose. He would call them together and, after explaining the situation, ask them for their opinion. Though he appeared to be consulting with everyone, what actually used to happen was that there would be silence for a while, then Abu Bakr would get up and briefly offer his opinion. ‘Umar would do the same, and a handful others followed suit, before finally a unanimous decision was reached. Consultations followed the same pattern during Abu Bakr’s term as Caliph. ‘Umar would be the first to speak, then a few others would give their opinion. The final decision would have everyone’s agreement. It was only during ‘Umar’s caliphate when the number of Muslims who had not seen the Prophet increased, that alternations took place in the consultation process.

This may appear to be a simple matter, but it is of great significance. It shows how humble the companions were, how aware of their own shortcomings and limitations. Such a procedure can be followed only by those humble enough to acknowledge another’s worth at their own expense. This was one unique quality of the Companions: they looked objectively at themselves in the way that average people would look only at others.

One must remember that the Abu Bakr and ‘Umar of whom we speak were not the historic personalities that we know today. It was vastly more difficult then to recognize the worth of Abu Bakr and ‘Umar than it is now. The two men had then still to be appreciated when history was in its formative stage, whereas in the present day we are in a position to evaluate them with historical hindsight. For the companions, they were just two of their number; for us they have become two mighty pillars standing out in the landscape of history. For us to fail to acknowledge Abu Bakr and ‘Umar would be to defy history. For the Companions to acknowledge these two amounted to abnegation of their own selves—an infinitely more difficult task, which the Companions accomplished in exemplary fashion.