August 23, AD 634

Abu Bakr

Death of Abu Bakr and accession of Umar

Al-Tabari says Abu Bakr lost consciousness mid-dictation; Uthman filled in Umar’s name, and Abu Bakr approved it after reviving.

A designation written in advance

In the standard chronology Abu Bakr died in Medina on 22 Jumada II 13 AH, conventionally converted to 23 August 634. Traditional narratives say he had been ill with fever and bedridden for about two weeks; the medical cause cannot be established.

Before his death he arranged a written designation of Umar ibn al-Khattab as successor, and al-Tabari preserves reports that the document was read publicly and accepted. Some advisers reportedly worried that Umar was too harsh.

A succession with no Saqifa

Because that designation already existed, leadership passed without the kind of open succession meeting that had followed Muhammad’s death. Umar became the second caliph, inheriting an operating government and two active war fronts in Syria and Iraq.

Traditional accounts say Abu Bakr was buried in the room or house of his daughter Aisha, beside Muhammad.

How firm the date is

The 23 August 634 date is the standard traditional chronology, used by Wilferd Madelung, and derives from 22 Jumada II 13 AH. Some older works give 22 August, because Arabic dates begin at sunset and differing conversions can shift the civil date by a day.

Early sources also transmit other dates. A modern Journal of Islamic Studies analysis notes proposals in July or August 635, based on alternative reports and chronological synchronisms.

Sources

Researched 23 Aug 2026 6 sources 2 audit passes Traditional date

How this was checked

Researched from the web into a fact sheet, rewritten from that sheet, then audited against it by a different model. How the pipeline works →

Traditional date. This date is the conventional one, not one fixed by a contemporary record.

What the sources leave uncertain

The 23 August 634 date is the standard traditional chronology and is used by Wilferd Madelung. It derives from 22 Jumada II 13 AH.
Early sources transmit other dates. A modern Journal of Islamic Studies analysis notes proposals in July or August 635 based on alternative reports and chronological synchronisms, so the exact civil year and day are not beyond dispute.
Some older works give 22 August because Arabic dates beginning at sunset and differing calendar conversions can shift the civil date by one day.