His name is Abdullah bin Abi Quhafah, ‘Uthman bin ‘Aamir bin ‘Amr bin Ka’b bin Sa’d bin Taim bin Murrah bin Ka’b. His lineage meets with that of Allah’s Messenger (Pbuh) at Murrah.
He was nicknamed ‘Ateeq’ (One saved from fire). Abdullah bin Zubair (ra) said, “Abu Bakr’s name was Abdullah. Allah’s Messenger (Pbuh) said to him: ‘You are saved from the Fire.’ Hence, he was called ‘Ateeq’.
Abu Bakr (ra) was fair, slender, slightly bent-backed and had a slender face with large hollow eyes. His forehead protruded slightly, and he dyes his hair with henna mixed with Katam (a plant that produces a reddish-black dye).
Abu Bakr (ra) was born 2 years and some months after the birth of the Prophet (pbuh) in Makkah. He spent his childhood and youth in Makkah. He found a close friend with a young man who, like himself, refused to worship idols, abstained from all alcoholic drinksand did not waste his youth in indulgence. This young man was Muhammad bin Abdullah bin Abdul Muttalib (pbuh). Likewise, it was the many qualities of Abu Bakr (ra) that made the Prophet (pbuh) favor him with closeness and friendship.
Abu Bakr (ra) was very knowledgeable in Arab genealogy and became an authority in this field. He was the first to believe in the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) amongst the free men, just as Khadijah (ra) was the first to believe from the women, Ali bin Abi Talib (ra) from the youth and Zaid bin Harithah (ra) from the slaves.
Abu Bakr’s reversion to Islam was beneficial to the cause of Islam because he was a well-known dignitary of Makkah who was wealthy and well loved by others. In fact, many of the Companions reverted to Islam through him. Some of them are: Az-Zubair bin Al-Awwam, Uthman bin Affan, Talhah bin Ubaidullah, Sa’ad bin Abi Waqqas, and Abdur Rahman bin Awf (May Allah be pleased with them all).
He was named As-Siddiq (The Truthful) because of his unhesitating belief in the Messenger of Allah (pbuh). Ibn Ishaq said on the authority of Al-Hasan Al-Basri and Qatadah, “He was first known by this name on the morning of the Isra wal Miraj, (the Night Journey from Makkah to Jerusalem, and then Ascension to Heaven). It is narrated on the authority of Aishah (ra) who said, “The polytheists came to Abu Bakr (ra) and said, ‘What is the matter with your friend? He alleges that he went last night to Jerusalem ( and returned the same night)! He said, ‘Has he said so?’ ‘Yes’, they replied. Abu Bakr (ra) said, ‘He has told the truth, and I believe what he brings as revelation from the heavens.’ Thus, because of his unwavering faith, he was called As-Siddiq.”
Abu Bakr (ra) suffered from the persecution of the polytheists just like Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) and underwent severe physical abuse. Once the polytheists hit him so severely that it was difficult to distinguish the nose on his face.
When the persecution of the polytheists worsened, Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) gave the Muslims permission to emigrate. When Abu Bakr (ra) asked for the permission to leave, Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said to him:
“Do not hasten. It may happen that Allah Azwajal will choose a companion for you.”
Abu Bakr (ra) expected that the companion would be Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) himself, so he bought two mounts for that purpose. Aishah (ra) said, “Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) used to come to the house of my father either early in the morning or in the evening. On the day when Allah Azwajal permitted him to emigrate, he came to us at midday. When Abu Bakr (Ra) saw him, he said, ‘He did not come at this hour except for an important matter.’ ‘ When he entered, Abu Bakr (ra) left his place on the bed where Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) sat. There was nobody in the house except ‘Asma’ and I. Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said to Abu Bakr: ‘Remove those that are with you.’ He said, ‘O Allah’s Messenger! These are my daughters. What is the matter?’ Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said: Allah has permitted me to emigrate.’ Abu Bakr (ra) said, ‘Will I accompany you, O Messenger of Allah?’ He said: ‘Yes.’
By Allah, I have never seen anyone weeping out of joy until I saw my father on that day weeping out of joy.”
No one knew of their departure except Ali bin Abi Talib, Abu Bakr As Siddiq and the family of Abu Bakr (ra). Allah’s Messenger (Pbuh) and Abu Bakr (ra) started their journey.
They entered a cave named Thawr near Makkah.Out of love of Allah’s Messenger, Abu Bakr entered the cave first lest there be a wild animal therein, protectingAllah’s Messenger (Pbuh) with his very life.
Abu Bakr (ra) ordered his son Abdullah to listen to what the people were saying, and come to him by night to tell them about the discussion of the people concerning this affair. He then ordered Aamir bin Fuhairah, his slave, to look after his sheep during the day and bring them at night to the cave for two reasons:
1. To milk them, and drink their milk.
2. To remove the footprints of Abdullah when he brought the news.
After three nights, the people despaired of searching for them. Then the guide (Abdullah bin Urayqit) went to the cave with three mounts. Asma bint Abu Bakr (ra) brought them food. Once, when she forgot to bring Al-Isam ( the girdle to keep the food in) she took away her girdle and tore it. She was nicknamed Dhat-un-Nitaqayn (the one having two girdles) thereafter.
When the polytheists lost all hope of capturing Allah’s Messenger (Pbuh) and his Companion, they declared a prize of 100 camels for whoever arrested them. They examined their footprints, and were confused. One of the people who was vell-versed in tracking people, Suraqah bin Malik, also examined the footprints. Through his help, the polytheists ascended the mountains where Allah’s Messenger (Pbuh) and his companion were. They passed by the door of the cave many times without realizing they were inside because Allah Azwajal had blinded their sight and senses to guard Allah’s Messenger and his Companion.
At that time Abu Bakr (ra) said to the Messenger (Pbuh), “By Allah, if one of them looked at his feet, he would see us.”
The Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) said to him: “What do you think about two (persons), when Allah Azwajal is the third of them?”
When the people of Madinah heard that the Prophet (pbuh) had left Makkah, they waited for him. Sometimes, it was in the morning, when the sun was hot. On the day when Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) arrived in Madinah, the first one to see him was a Jew who knew that the people of Madinah were waiting for him, and he called loudly,”O Ansar! The one you were waiting for has arrived.” So they came out and found Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) and his Companion under the shade of a palm. Most of the people of Madinah did not know Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) so they assembled in order to see him. When the shadow moved, Abu Bakr (ra) stood to make a shade with his garment. Thus, they came to know Allah’s Messenger (pbuh).
Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) who did not speak of his own desire, conveyed the glad tidings of Paradise to Abu Bakr (ra) on more than one occasion.
On the day of the death of Allah’s Messenger, the muslims felt extreme sorrow. Umar bin Al-Khattab (ra) was the most affected, and he drew his sword and said, “If I hear anyone say Allah’s Messenger (Pbuh) has died, I will cut off his neck!” The people sent a messenger to Abu Bakr (ra). When the man saw Abu Bakr (ra) he wept. Abu Bakr (ra) said, “What is the matter with you? Has the Prophet (Pbuh) died?” The man said, “There is Umar bin Al-Khattab (ra) saying, ‘I will never hear anyone saying Allah’s Messenger (Pbuh) has died without wanting to cut off his neck.'”
Abu Bakr (ra) entered the house where the Prophet (Pbuh) lay covered. He kissed him, and came out to the people reciting the following Verse:
“Muhammad is not but a messenger. [Other] messengers have passed on before him. So if he was to die or be killed, would you turn back on your heels [to unbelief]? And he who turns back on his heels will never harm Allah at all; but Allah will reward the grateful.” (3:144)
And:
“Indeed, you (O Muhammad Pbuh) are to die, and indeed, they are to die.” (39:30)
He then said, ” Whosoever worshipped Muhammad (pbuh) know that Muhammad (pbuh) has died. And whoever worships Allah azwajal, knows Allah azwajal is Ever-Living, and never dies.” Umar (ra) said, “By Allah! It seems as if I had never recited these Verses until now.”
During his final illness, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) appointed Abu Bakr al-Siddeeq to lead the Muslims in prayer and he did not accept anyone else to take his place. The fact that he was appointed to take his place in the case of minor leadership (leading the prayers) indicates that he would succeed him in the case of major leadership (as imaam or khaleefah).
The situation that Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه faced on assuming the caliphate was very grim. Many tribes apostatized from Islam and refused to pay Zakah. Many false prophets rose throughout the length and breadth of Arabia, and many people offered allegiance to them.
His untimely death and the war against the apostates (ahl al-riddah) kept him from reaching the level of conquests attained by ‘Umar during his lengthy reign as khaleefah.
No doubt, Abu Bakr (ra) had a special status among the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh). The Companions knew his status with Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) and knew of his spending for the cause of Islam. It was for this reason that they revered him, and kept his status in their tongues and in their hearts.
Amr bin Al-Aas (ra) said, “The Prophet (pbuh) sent me as a commander of the army in the campaign of Dhat-us-Salasil. I said to him, ‘Who is the most loved by you? ‘He said: ‘Aishah.’ I said, ‘Of men.’ he said: ‘Her father.’ Then I said, ‘Then who?’ He said, “Umar bin Al-Khattab.’ Then the Prophet (pbuh) mentioned some other men.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3662; Muslim, 2384.
It is well known that the Prophet (pbuh) loved and hated only for the sake of Allah azwajal. So, the status of Abu Bakr (ra) was in fact high with Allah.
Among the virtues of Abu Bakr (may Allaah be pleased with him) is that which was narrated from Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri, who said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) delivered a khutbah and said: “Allaah has given a slave the choice between this world and what is with Him, and he chose what is with Him.” Abu Bakr al-Siddeeq (may Allaah be pleased with him) began to weep, and I said to myself, “What is making this old man cry if Allaah has given a slave the choice between this world and what is with Him, and he chose what is with Him?” The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was that slave, and Abu Bakr was the most knowledgeable of us. He said, “O Abu Bakr, do not weep. Abu Bakr has favoured me greatly with his companionship and his wealth. If I were to have taken a close friend among my ummah, I would have chosen Abu Bakr, but the brotherhood of Islam is sufficient. Do not leave any door to the mosque without closing it off, apart from the door of Abu Bakr.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 466; Muslim, 2382
It was narrated from Muhammad ibn Jubayr ibn Mut’im that his father said: “A woman came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and he told her to come back later. She said, ‘What if I come back and do not find you?’ as if she was referring to death. He (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, ‘If you do not find me, then go to Abu Bakr.’” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3659).
We have many lessons to learn from the life of this great companion, and many qualities worth emulating, like his generosity, kindness, loyalty to Allah and his Messenger (pbuh) truthfulness and so on.
May Allah be pleased with him.
LIFE 