While traditions alone have to be depended upon in many matters connected with other religions, for Islam, dates and facts supply the groundwork on which its rise and progress can be faithfully and historically recorded. It was providential in every way that the faith and zeal of Muhammad were followed by the loyalty and steadfastness of Abu Bakr and the boldness and determination of O'mar, rather than by the weakness, vacillation, and favouritism of O'thman or the procrastination and mildness of A'li. On the death of Muhammad, in June, ad. 632, rebellions and insurrections arose throughout Arabia. It was due to the firmness of Abu Bakr that these were promptly put down. His faith in his great master was such that he determined to carry out the ideas and wishes of the prophet even as if he had been still alive. It was this faith which securely laid the foundations of Islam.