ABU BAKR

(May Allah be pleased with him)

Introduction:

The Prophet Muhammad (sallaAllahu alaihi wa sallam) said:
'The best of my followers are those living in my generation (i.e. my contemporaries) and then
those who will follow the latter, and then those who will follow the latter.
From this hadith it is clear that the generation of the Prophet Muhammad (sallaAllahu alaihi wa
sallam) was the best and his companions were the best among the followers of his Deen, Islam.
There is a prime example in their lives for us to follow. We need to strive to practice Islam as
they did and yearn to become like them. In order to do so we need to study their lifestyle and
learn about the events that took place in their lives and the manner in which they dealt with it.
They are our role models and we should try our best to follow such beloved slaves of Allah
(azza wa jal).
He was a prime example both in the times of Jahilliyyah and after embracing Islam. His noble
character always kept him trustworthy in the eyes of the people. He was very brave and
optimistic and his knowledge of the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet (sallaAllahu alaihi wa
sallam) surpassed that of the other companions.

His Family and Lineage:

Born in Makkah in 573 AC, Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) was two years younger than the
Prophet (sallaAllahu alaihi wa sallam). He belonged to a respectable and noble family; Banu
Tameem, a branch of the tribe of Quraysh. He shares the same lineage with the Prophet
(sallaAllahu alaihi wa sallam) in Banu Murrah.
Abu Bakr was not his real name; his name was Abdullah. It is said that He was given the title
al-Ateeq (the freed person).
Aishah (radi Allahu anha) reports that she was in the Prophets (sallaAllahu alaihi wa sallam)
house while his companions were sitting in the courtyard, with a barrier between them and her.
When Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) came, the Prophet (sallaAllahu alaihi wa sallam) said:
Whoever is pleased to look at a man who has been freed of the Hell Fire (Ateeq), let him look at
this man (pointing at Abu Bakr). (Reported by at-Tirmizi)
His character before accepting Islam in the period of Jahilliyah (The Pre-
Islamic Period)

Since his boyhood Abu Bakr was silent and sincere. He was very honest and truthful. He was a
softhearted man and keenly felt the sufferings and miseries of others. He used to help the poor,
the needy, the distressed and the down-trodden. Before he embraced Islam, he was a fairly
wealthy merchant, a respected character of amiable and compassionate demeanor. Because of his
honesty people trusted him and often left their money with him for safe-keeping.
Ibn Ishaaq narrates: Abu Bakr was a man whom society desired, well liked and of easy manners.
He was a merchant of high character and kindness.
Even before embracing Islam, he abhorred most of the customs and traditions of Jahilliyah. He
never consumed alcohol, nor did he join in the worship of idols, practiced by his contemporaries.
Because of his sterling character, he was the closest friend of the Prophet (sallaAllahu alaihi wa
sallam), since his youth and their companionship proved to be life-long.
Aishah (radi Allahu anha) is reported to have said: By Allah, Abu Bakr never composed poetry
neither before nor after embracing Islam. He, together with Uthman refrained from drinking
alcohol in Jahilliyyah. (Reported by Ibn Asakir with a good chain of narrators)
Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) said in the presence of some Companions: I never prostrated
myself before an idol. That is because when I reached the age of puberty, my father, Abu Quhafa,
took me by the hand and went to a chamber in which were some idols, and said to me, They are
your mighty and supreme deities. He then left me and went away. I approached one idol and
began to entreat, Im hungry, so feed me, but it did not respond. I prayed again, Im naked so
clothe me yet it did not reply. So I hurled it with some rock and it fell down
Thus Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) was an ideal character even before accepting Islam. It is no
wonder, therefore, that he is regarded as the best man after the Prophet (sallaAllahu alaihi wa
sallam), as the latter is reported to have said, Those who were amongst you in Jahailliyyah, are
the best after embracing Islam, provided they comprehended religious knowledge. (Reported by
al-Bukhari)

Quranic verses referring to Abu Bakr

When Allah (azza wa jal) accords anyone with noble status, no mortal being can disgrace or
degrade him without himself being humiliated. The status of Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) was
so elevated that a host of Quranic verses make reference to him, thus confirming his virtues and
merits.
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if You help Him (Muhammad) not (it does not matter), for Allh did indeed help Him when the disbelievers drove
Him out, the second of two, when they (Muhammad and Abu Bakr ) were In the cave, and He () said to his
companion (Abu Bakr ): "Be not sad (or afraid), surely Allh is with us." Then Allh sent down his Saknah (calmness,
tranquillity, peace, etc.) upon him, and strengthened Him with forces (angels) which You saw not, and made the
word of those who disbelieved the lowermost, while it was the word of Allh that became the uppermost, and Allh
is All-Mighty, All-Wise. (Surah at-Tawbah : 40)

Ibn Abbas is reported to have explained the verse, ..then Allah sent down His Sakina upon
him saying: upon him means upon Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu), as serenity was already
inherent in the Prophet sallaAllahu alaihi wa sallam. (Reported by Ibn Abi Hatim).
Aamir ibn Abdillah ibn az-Zubayr narrates: Abu Bakr used to free slaves and make them accept
Islam in Makkah. He set free elderly men and women upon their acceptance of Islam. His father
(Abu Quhafa) said to him: My son, I see you are freeing slaves. If you want to continue doing
what you do, why dont free powerful men who could defend and protect you? Abu Bakr said,
My effort in this regard is solely for the Sake of Allah. It is said that these verses were revealed
in reference to him:
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as for Him who gives (in charity) and keeps his duty to Allh and fears him, (Surah al-Layl: 5)
(Reported by Ibn Jareer)
Urwah is reported to have said: Abu Bakr as-Siddeeq (radi Allahu anhu), freed seven people
who were subjected to the torture in Allahs Cause. It was about him that the verse was revealed
!',.>`,. _.. _
and Al-Muttaqn (the pious and righteous - see V.2:2) will be far removed from it (Hell). (Surah al-Layl : 17)
(Reported by Ibn Abi Hatim and At-Tabarani)

Abdullah ibn az-Zubayr states: The Quranic verse,
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and have In his mind no Favour from anyone for which a reward is expected In return, (al-Layl : 19)
up to the end of the Surah, was revealed in reference to Abu Bakr as-Siddeeq RA
(Reported by al-Bazzaar)

Aisha (radi Allahu anha) is reported to have said that Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu), never broke
his oath until Allah SWT, revealed the expiation for breaking ones oath. (Reported by al-
Bukari)
Ahadeeth on the virtues of Abu Bakr

Abu Hurayrah (radi Allahu anhu), is reported to have said, I heard the Prophet (sallaAllahu
alaihi wa sallam) saying Whoever spends a pair of something in Allahs Cause will be called
from all the gates of Paradise, O Allahs slave! This is good. He who is amongst those who
pray, will be called from the gate of prayer (in Paradise); he who is from the people who
perform Jihad (in the Cause of Allah (azza wa jal)) will be called from the gate of Jihad; he who
is from among those who give charity will be called from the gate of charity;and he (radi Allahu
anhu) is amongst those who observe fast will be called from the gate of Ar-Rayyan. Abu Bakr
(radi Allahu anhu) said He who will be called from all these gates is in no need of anything:
will anyone be called from all those gates, O Messenger of Allah? Yes, replied the Prophet,
and I hope you will be among them, Abu Bakr.
Ibn Umar (radi Allahu anhu) quotes the Prophet (sallaAllahu alaihi wa sallam), to have said to
Abu Bakr, You are my companion at the Hawd (Fount) and my companion in the cave.
(Reported by at-Tirmizi)
Abdullah ibn Ahmad reports with a good chain of narrators, that the Prophet (sallaAllahu alaihi
wa sallam), said, Abu Bakr is my intimate friend and my affable companion in the cave
Abu Hurayrah (radi Allahu anhu) reports the Prophet (sallaAllahu alaihi wa sallam) to have
said, What an excellent man Abu Bakr is, what an excellent man Umar is. (Reported by al-
Bukhari, Abu Dawood, at-Tirmizi)
Anas (radi Allahu anhu) quotes the Prophet (sallaAllahu alaihi wa sallam) as saying: It is
incumbent upon my nation to love Abu Bakr and to show gratitude to him (Reported by Ibn-
Asakir)
Jabir (radi Allahu anhu) reports that the Prophet (sallaAllahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Never has
the Sun risen nor set on a person better than Abu Bakr. (Reported by at-Tabarani and others)
Sad ibn Zuraarah (radi Allahu anhu) narrates that the Prophet (sallaAllahu alaihi wa sallam)
said: The Holy Spirit, Gabriel has informed me that the best of my nation after me will be Abu
Bakr (Reported by at-Tabarani)

The Prophets companions speak about Abu Bakr:

Umar ibn al-Khattab (radi Allahu anhu) said, Abu Bakr is our master (Reported al-Bukhari)
He also said: If Abu Bakrs faith was placed in one of the scales of a balance and the faith of all
the people in the other, his would outweigh theirs. (Reported by al-Bayhaqi)
Ali (radi Allahu anhu) is reported to have said: The best of people after the Prophet
(sallaAllahu alaihi wa sallam) are Abu Bakr and Unar. Never should I be loved by a man who
hates Abu Bakr and Umar (Reported by at-Tabarani)
Ali (radi Allahu anhu) narrates: Never did I compete with Abu Bakr in doing good deeds but
found that he outdid me. (Reported by at-Tabarani)
Ibn Umar (radi Allahu anhu) is quoted to have said: We used to compare Muslims in forms of
who was better during the lifetime of Allahs Messenger (sallaAllahu alaihi wa sallam). We
used to regard Abu Bakr as the best, then Umar, and then Uthman. (Reported al-Bukhari)


Abu Bakr was given the title As-Siddeeq:

The morning after his ascension (al-Israa wal Miraj), the Prophet (sallaAllahu alaihi wa sallam)
told the Quraysh that he had been carried from Makkah to al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, and
from there he had ascended to the heavens. He narrated to them what he had seen.
When the Quraysh heard of the Prophets (sallaAllahu alaihi wa sallam) ascension to heaven,
they regarded it as an absurdity, and began to ridicule the Prophet (sallaAllahu alaihi wa sallam)
for his declaration. This is unbelievable! they exclaimed. It takes a month for a caravan to go
to the Levant (ash-Shaam) and a month to return, how could you do the return journey in one
night?
There were also some Muslims who wavered in believing the ascension of the Prophet
(sallaAllahu alaihi wa sallam) to the heavens. Some of them went to Abu Bakr (radi Allahu
anhu) and informed him of the Prophets (sallaAllahu alaihi wa sallam) Journey to Jerusalem
and ascension to the heavens. Some expressed doubt about the veracity of the ascension, but
when this question was posed to Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu), he silenced them with his
unforgettable words: If he (the Prophet sallaAllahu alaihi wa sallam) says so, then he is
truthful. There is nothing to be surprised about. I believe him when he says that he received a
revelation from Heaven in an hour of the day or night. And that is beyond what you cavil at.
It was at this occasion that he earned the title As-Siddeeq.
Some of the Noble Traits of Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu):

Bravery:

Urwah ibn az-Zubayr (radi Allahu anhu) says: I asked Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-Aas, Tell me
about the worst thing the disbelievers did to the Prophet (sallaAllahu alaihi wa sallam). He said;
while the Prophet (sallaAllahu alaihi wa sallam) was praying in the Hijr of the Kabah, Uqbah
ibn Abi Muayt put his garment around the Prophets neck and throttled him violently, Abu Bakr
(radi Allahu anhu) came and caught him by his shoulder and pushed him away from the Prophet
(sallaAllahu alaihi wa sallam) and said, Would you kill a man for saying, Allah is my Lord?
(Reported by al-Bukhari)
Ali (radi Allahu anhu) is reported to have said: When Abu Bakr embraced Islam, he showed
his faith openly and called others to Allah (azza wa jal) and His Messenger (sallaAllahu alaihi
wa sallam). (Reported Ibn Asakir)
Generosity:

Umar ibn al-Khattab (radi Allahu anhu) narrates, The Prophet (sallaAllahu alaihi wa sallam)
asked us to give out charity in Allahs Cause, and I had some wealth. Then I said, Its time for
me to outdo Abu Bakr today. So I presented half of my total wealth. The Prophet (sallaAllahu
alaihi wa sallam) asked me, Have you left anything for your family? An equal amount of it.
I replied. Then came Abu Bakr with all he had. The Prophet asked him O Abu Bakr, Have you
left anything for your family? Allah and His Messenger was the reply. I said, Never will I
outdo Abu Bakr. (Reported by at-Tirmizi)
Knowledge and Intelligence:

An-Nawaawi states in his Tahzeeb that scolars have deduced that Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu)
was the most knowledgeable of the Prophets Companions on the basis of an authentic hadith
reported by al-Bukhari and al-Muslim:
When Allahs Messenger (sallaAllahu alaihi wa sallam) passed away and Abu Bakr became
the caliph, some Arabs renegaded. Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) decided to declare war against
them. Umar RA said to him, how can you declare war against the people when Allahs
Messenger (sallaAllahu alaihi wa sallam) says; I have been ordered by Allah (azza wa jal) to
fight against people till they bear witness that there is no God but Allah, and if they do so their
lives and property shall be protected, unless (they do acts that are punishable) in accordance with
Islam, and their reckoning will be with Allah Almighty Abu Bakr said: By Allah I will fight
those who distinguish between Salaah and Zakaah, because Zakaah is the compulsory right to be
taken from ones property. By Allah, if they refuse to give me even the cord used for hobbling
the feet of a camel, which they used to pay as Zakaah at the time of Allahs Messenger
(sallaAllahu alaihi wa sallam), I would fight them for withholding it. Then Umar RA said, By
Allah it was nothing, but Allah (azza wa jal) guided Abu Bakrs heart towards the decision.
Amr ibn al Aas (radi Allahu anhu) quotes the Prophet (sallaAllahu alaihi wa sallam), to have
said : Gabriel has come to me and said, Allah orders you to consult Abu Bakr. (Reported by
Ibn Asakir)
Steadfastness:

On hearing about the death of the Prophet (sallaAllahu alaihi wa sallam), Umar Ra had become
very furious and didnt believe it. When Abu Bakr entered, he went to Umar RA and said;
Gently, Umar calm down. But Umar (radi Allahu anhu) did not listen to him so Abu Bakr RA
moved towards people who had thronged round him and addressed them saying: O people, let
whoever worships Muhammad (sallaAllahu alaihi wa sallam) know that Muhammad
(sallaAllahu alaihi wa sallam) is surely dead, and let whoever worships Allah (azza wa jal)
know that Allah is Alive and shall never die. He then recited the verse;
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Muhammad is no more than an apostle: many were the apostle that passed away before Him. if He died or were
slain, will ye then turn back on your heels? if any did turn back on His heels, not the least harm will He do to Allah.
but Allah (on the other hand) will swiftly reward those who (serve him) with gratitude. (Surah Ale-Imran : 144)
This short sermon brought solace to the wounded hearts of Muslims and they submitted with
cheerful resignation to the Will of Allah (azza wa jal). Umar (radi Allahu anhu) is reported to
have said, By Allah, when I heard Abu Bakr recite that verse, it was as if I had never heard it
before. I was dumb-founded to the extent that my legs could not carry me and I fell to the ground
knowing that the Prophet (sallaAllahu alaihi wa sallam) was indeed dead.

Utter Fear of Allah (azza wa jal):

Abu Ahmad al-Hakim reports on the authority of Muaadh ibn Jabal (radi Allahu anhu) who
said: One day Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) entered a garden where he saw a bird standing
under the shade of a tree. He sighed deeply and said: O bird, how lucky you are! You eat from
trees and take shade under them; when you die you do not have fear of the reckoning on the Day
of Judgment.
Al-Asmai narrates: When Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) was praised he used to say, O Allah!
You Know me better than I do, I know myself better than them. O Allah! Let me be better than I
think I am, forgive me for what they do not know, and do not hold me accountable for what they
say. (Reported by Ibn Asakir)
On the authority of Qatadah who says: I was told that Abu Bakr said, I wish I were a plant
eaten by animals. (Reported by Ahmad)
Abu Imran al-Jawni reports that Abu Bakr said: I wish I were just a hair in the body of a devout
Mumin. (Reported by Ahmad)




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Glossary of Arabic Terms:

Azza wa Jal Mighty and Majestic is He.

SallaAllahualaihi wa sallam May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.

Radi Allahu anhu May Allah be pleased with him.

Radi Allahu anha May Allah be pleased with her.