People said: “Appoint someone as your successor.” He said: “Should I carry the burden of conducting your affairs in my life as well as in my death?

It has been narrated on the authority of ‘Abdullah b. ‘Umar who said: “I was present with my father when he was wounded. People praised him and said: “May Allah give you a noble recompense!” He said: “I am hopeful (of Allah’s mercy) as well as afraid (of His wrath).”

People said: “Appoint someone as your successor.” He said: “Should I carry the burden of conducting your affairs in my life as well as in my death? (So far as Caliphate is concerned) I wish I could acquit myself (before the Almighty) in a way that there is neither anything to my credit nor anything to my discredit. If I would appoint my successor, (I would because) one better than me did so. (He meant Abu Bakr.) If I would leave You alone, (I would do so because) one better than me, i. e. the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم, did so.” ‘Abdullah says: “When he mentioned the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم I understood that he would not appoint anyone as Caliph.”

Sahih Muslim, Book 20, Number 4485