section_path: Life under Rashidun Caliphs/Caliphate of Abu Bakr (r. 632–634)
section_name: Caliphate of Abu Bakr (r. 632–634)
paragraph_text: Caliphate of Abu Bakr (r. 632–634)
  
  In the absence of popular support, Ali eventually accepted the temporal rule of Abu Bakr, probably for the sake of Muslim unity. In particular, Ali turned down proposals to forcefully pursue the caliphate. He nevertheless viewed himself as the most qualified candidate for leadership by virtue of his merits and his kinship with Muhammad. Evidence suggests that Ali further considered himself as the designated successor of Muhammad. Unlike Muhammad's lifetime, Ali retired from public life during the caliphates of Abu Bakr and his successors, Umar and Uthman. Ali did not participate in the Ridda wars and the early Muslim conquests, though he remained an advisor to Abu Bakr and Umar on government and religious matters., However, their conflicts with Ali is also well-documented, but largely ignored in Sunni sources. These tensions were epitomized during the proceedings of the electoral council in 644 when Ali refused to be bound by the precedence of the first two caliphs. In contrast, Shia sources view Ali's pledge to Abu Bakr as a (coerced) act of political expediency (taqiya). The conflicts with Ali are probably magnified in Shia sources.