Hazrat ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) says, “By Allah! When I heard my father mention the example of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), then I knew that he would choose the example of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and would not equate any one to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Hence, I understood that he would not appoint a Khalifah.”

In one report, it is mentioned that Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) replied in the following words:

“If I appoint a Khalifah, then the person who was before me and superior to me appointed a Khalifah (referring to Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (radhiyallahu ‘anhu)), and if I do not appoint a Khalifah, then there was someone before me who did not appoint a Khalifah (referring to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)).”

(Saheeh Muslim #567 and #1823)