Sahih al-Bukhari 3834

Narrated Qais bin Abi Hazim:

Abu Bakr went to a lady from the Ahmas tribe called Zainab bint Al-Muhajir and found that she
refused to speak. He asked, “Why does she not speak.” The people said, “She has intended to perform
Hajj without speaking.” He said to her, “Speak, for it is illegal not to speak, as it is an action of the
pre-islamic period of ignorance. So she spoke and said, “Who are you?” He said, “A man from the
Emigrants.” She asked, “Which Emigrants?” He replied, “From Quraish.” She asked, “From what
branch of Quraish are you?” He said, “You ask too many questions; I am Abu Bakr.” She said, “How
long shall we enjoy this good order (i.e. Islamic religion) which Allah has brought after the period of
ignorance?” He said, “You will enjoy it as long as your Imams keep on abiding by its rules and
regulations.” She asked, “What are the Imams?” He said, “Were there not heads and chiefs of your
nation who used to order the people and they used to obey them?” She said, “Yes.” He said, “So they
(i.e. the Imams) are those whom I meant.”