The Story of Hazrat Abu Bakr r.a

Under the blaze of the hot sun in Makkah, and on its hot sands, Abu
Quhafah walked with his son Hadhrat Abu Bakr to the room of
Idols in the Ka’bah. Abu Quhaafah then stopped and said to his son:
“O my son, these are your Gods. Prostrate to it. Thereafter the father
turned away leaving his fair complexioned son in front of these idols.
Hadhrat Abu Bakr t then turned towards one of the idols and said:
“Verily I am hungry, feed me” The idol did not reply to him.
He then said to it: “Verily I am naked, clothe me” Still there was no
reply from the idol.
Hadhrat Abu Bakr then took a big stone and threw it at the idol
causing the idol to fall upon its face and shatter. Hadhrat Abu Bakr
returned to his house knowing fully well that these idols cannot
benefit nor can they harm. They cannot hear nor can they speak. He
grew up with Imaan and never prostrated to a single idol in his entire
life.
Unlike the other youth of the Quraish, Hadhrat Abu Bakr Abdullah
ibn Quhafa Uthmaan ibn Amir ibn Taym ibn Qurayshi t grew up
recognizing amusement before Islaam. He never drank, nor was he
acquainted with disobedience. Instead, he worshiped Allaah Ta’aala
upon the way of Ibrahim u and traded with his wealth until Allaah
Ta’aala had enriched him because of his trustworthiness and
truthfulness.
In Makkah every group from amongst the groups of the Quraish had
a specific duty which they had to fulfill. The Banu Taim (the family of
Hadhrat Abu Bakr were weak, their numbers were few and wealth little. It was because of this that they were unable to carry out any
duty for the Quraish. However, this was only until from amongst
them Hadhrat Abu Bakr showed compassion towards the poor,
assisted the oppressed and helped the weak. He undertook the duty
blood money in the Quraish. Not only did he give the amount of
(blood- money) that was asked for, but he increased upon it. All the
people of the Quraish loved him because of his good actions and
beautiful character.
Amongst the youth of Makkah from around the Ka’bah, Hadhrat
Abu Bakr was recognized by the trustworthy, Muhammad , even
before Allah had made him declare Nabuwaat. Hadhrat Abu Bakr
was two years younger than Rasulullah r and due to the closeness in
age, love of Allaah and His worship, trustworthiness, good actions
and truthfulness they both had become friends before Islaam. And on
the day that Muhammad declared his Nabuwaat to his people
Hadhrat Abu Bakr was amongst the first to believe him.
The story of Hadhrat Abu Bakr t’s Islam is a short and strange one.
When Hadhrat Abu Bakr had come to know of Nabi r’s message he
went to him and said: “O Abul Qaasim (Father of Qaasim)! What is
this that has reached me regarding you?”
Nabi r had replied: “What has reached you regarding me?”
Hadhrat Abu Bakr said: “Verily you are inviting towards Allah
and claiming that you are a Nabi (messenger) of Allaah.”
Nabi r said: “Yes, O Abu Bakr, Allaah has made me a giver of glad
tidings and warnings, and he sent me for all of mankind.”
Hadhrat Abu Bakr t then said: “By Allaah, I have never ever heard a
single lie from you; verily you are most worthy with this message, because of your trustworthiness, joining of relations and good
actions.” Thereafter Hadhrat Abu Bakr accepted Islaam.
It was from that moment that Hadhrat Abu Bakr knew that Islaam
was the road to Jannah and that it would be necessary for whoever
accepted Islaam to sacrifice himself as well as his wealth. He then
went to Hadhrat Uthmaan Ibn Affaan t; Hadhrat Zubair ibn Al-
Awwaam t and Hadhrat Talha Ibn Ubaidullah t, all of whom
accepted Islaam upon his hands and became from amongst the
Asharah Mubasharah (i.e. those people who were given glad tidings
of Janaah by Nabi r in one sitting.) Eventually Nabi r looked towards
him and said: “This is the Ateeq of Allaah (The one who Allaah saved
from the punishment of the fire).”
As for the Imaan which he was in his heart, it was transformed to
such an extent that it was likened to a mountain which even
earthquakes would not move. And that he would not accept anything
or sell it for all the wealth in the world. His Imaan was such that if it
was placed on one side of a scale and the Imaan of the entire Ummat
until the day of Qiyaamah was placed on the other side, the Imaan of
Hadhrat Abu Bakr t would outweigh the imaan of the entire Ummat.
Some of the people are of the incorrect opinion that Hadhrat Abu
Bakr t’s wealth was due to inheritance from his parents. However it
was because he was a truthful trader that Allaah Ta`aala had
enriched him to such an extent that his wealth had reached forty
thousand dirhams (silver coins).
Hadhrat Abu Bakr t was a man who spent on his family. He used to
spend on his father who had become blind towards the end of his life,
his mother who had become unable to do any work and also on his
younger brother. When Allaah Tala

had sent His Nabi Muhammad with Islaam,

the inviting towards Islaam was done in secrecy for the three complete years,

after which Allaah Tala had commanded that it be

done publicly for all the people. From that point on, the Musrikeen
began to punish the weak Muslims and wage war against the rich, so
much so that those entering Makkah could hear the cries and sounds
from the weak Muslims who were being harmed in the path of
Allaah.
Hadhrat Abu Bakr had seen Hadhrat Bilal , an Abyssinian slave
owned by one of the kuffaar (disbelievers) named Ummayyah ibn
Khalaf, being beaten. He was being placed naked on the sand of
Makkah and a big rock was placed on his stomach. Thereafter he was
dragged with a rope whilst the youth of Makkah were vehemently
mocking him whilst he was repeating the undying words: “The One
(Allah)! The One (Allah)! ”
Hadhrat Abu Bakr then departed went to his house and brought
some wealth. Thereafter he went to Ummayah ibn Khalaf and said to
him: “Sell me Bilal”. Ummayyah said: “I will sell him for five
(uqiyahs) ounces of gold.”
Hadhrat Abu Bakr then bought him after which Ummayyah said:
“If you had given one ounce only, I would have been pleased.”
Hadhrat Abu Bakr then said: “If you desired one hundred ounces, I
would have definitely given it to you.”
Like this Hadhrat Abu Bakr saw that his wealth was only for Allaah
Ta`aala, and nor was he miserly with it upon the Muslims in Makkah.
Instead he gave it to them so that he would free them from the
harassment of the musrikeen until Rasulullah r said regarding
Hadhrat Abu Bakr t and Hadhrat Bilal : “Our master had freed our
master from slavery” Hadhrat Bilal t was not the only one who Hadhrat Abu Bakr t had purchased. Instead, he searched for other slaves who had accepted Islaam so that he could purchase them, until they were saying in
Makkah that he use to purchase them so that they would be
defended.
It was also revealed in the Quran

regarding the freedom of Hadhrat Abu Bakr t:

“Far removed from it (Jahannam) shall be the one with the most taqwa (the Mumin).”

“Who spends his wealth to purify (his soul from greed and from
other sins by attaining Allaah’s pleasure and resultant forgiveness).”
“He does not have (to spend in charity because he has) to repay a
favor to anyone…”
“… (But he spends for no reason) except for the pleasure of His
exalted Rabb. (His good deeds are therefore done sincerely for
Allaahs pleasure and for not ulterior motive.)”

“… Soon he shall be (well) pleased

(when Allaah rewards him in full in the Aakhirah).” (Surah Al-Layl: Verses 17-21)

Thus all the Muslims and musrikeen knew that

Hadhrat Abu Bakr t had only spent his wealth in the path of Allaah, neither for any worldly purpose,

nor out of pride in order to boast to the people.

And these are the qualities of the believers from amongst who was Hadhrat Abu Bakr t.

Once Nabi r stood in Makkah in front of the Kabah reciting the

Qur`aan to the musrikeen who then stood up and began hitting him from all sides. Behind them was Hadhrat Abu Bakr t, who then stood
up to defend Nabi r whilst saying:
“Are you‘ll killing a man because he is saying that my Rabb is
Allaah?”
The musrikeen then left Nabi r and began hitting Hadhrat Abu Bakr
t who had bore so much of patience until his face had became
swollen so much so that his eyes could not be recognized from his
nose. The features of his face had been hidden completely. They then
thought he had passed away and thereafter left him.
The Banu Taim came and carried Hadhrat Abu Bakr t to his house
and had taken an oath that they will definitely kill whoever hit
Hadhrat Abu Bakr t if he died? When Hadhrat Abu Bakr t regained
consciousness, the first question that he had asked was: “What
happened to Rasulullah r?” His people had become angered by this
because they were kuffaar (disbelievers).
They said to his mother: “Give him something to eat and some water
to drink.”
Hadhrat Abu Bakr t said: “No! By Allaah, I will not drink, nor will I
eat anything until I know what happened to Rasulullah r.”
His mother looked towards him experiencing pain because of what
happened to him and then said: “By Allaah, I do not know what has
happened to this companion of yours?”
He then said: “Go to the house of Faatimah bint ul Khattaab and ask
her what happened to Rasulullah r?”
The mother went in search of Hadhrat Faatima bint ul Khataab t,
even though she was experiencing pain because of the condition of her son, who’s blood had flowed from his face which had become
swollen. When she reached the house of Hadhrat Faatimah bint ul
Khataab t, Hadhrat Faatimah t thought that she was a spy for the
Quraish.
The mother who had intended the comfort of her son said: “Come
with me to him.” When Hadhrat Faatimah t reached Hadhrat Abu
Bakr t and she saw his face she screamed and said: “I ask Allaah to
take revenge for you on your behalf.”
He then said to her that he was not thinking about anything else
besides Rasulullah r: “What happened to Rasulullah r?
She said: “He is safe.”
The mother then looked towards her son hoping that he will drink.
He looked towards her and said: “No! By Allaah, I will not eat nor
will I drink until I see Rasulullah r with my own eyes.
Hadhrat Abu Bakr t came out even though he was unable to carry
himself, he took support from his mother and Hadhrat Faatimah t
until he reached Rasulullah r. As soon as he entered the presence of
Rasulullaah r, he fell upon His r’s feet and kissed them saying: “May
my mother and father be ransomed for you O Rasulullah r. Nothing
has happened to me except that which is in my face. And this is my
mother. Ask Allaah to give her guidance. The heart of Nabi r was
softened causing him to cry. Hadhrat Abu Bakr t also cried and
thereafter they both embraced one another in this emotional meeting.
The harms of the Quraish against Nabi r and his companions had
become extremely severe. It was then that Allaah Ta`aala had
commanded his Nabi to inform his companions to migrate from
Makkah to Abyssinia. Some of the Sahaabah who were harmed and
severely harassed stood up and migrated to Abyssinia. Hadhrat Abu Bakr t had also come out intending to migrate when he
was confronted by a man from the mushrikeen named Rabeeah ibn al-Dughunna

who said to him: “People of your likeness

O Abu Bakr should not come out nor should he be taken out.

Verily you assist the destitute and give charity to them. You join family ties, help the troubled and unable,

honor the weak and are assisting the representatives of the truth.

I will be a protector for you. Return and worship your Rabb.”

Hadhrat Abu Bakr t returned to Makkah whilst Ibn al Dughunna went about announcing to the Quraish that he has given protection to Abu Bakr.

The mushrikeen then said to him:“Make him worship his Rabb in a distant house otherwise the men or woman will accept Islaam on his hands

.”Hadhrat Abu Bakr t built a Musjid in the courtyard of the house in which he read salaah and recited the Quraan.

The women and children listened to him and were astonished with the Quraan.

Ibn Al-Dughunna had come to know of this, came to Hadhrat Abu Bakr t and said:

“Lower your voice in salaah and in the recitation of the Quraan.”

Hadhrat Abu Bakr t then said: “Verily I return to you your protection
and I am pleased with the protection of Allaah U .”
Verily the Imaan in Hadhrat Abu Bakr t had made him such a man
who did not fear the criticism of the critics regarding Allaah. He
tolerated the harassment in this condition that he was pleased with
the decree of Allaah and he did not accept that he should conceal his
Islaam. Instead, he began announcing it and was proud because of it.
He testified to everything which Rasulullah r use to say. Then when
Nabi r returned from his journey of the night and mi`raaj (journey of the night to the seven heavens), the mushrikeen had denied it and
thought him to be insane. At that moment Hadhrat Abu Bakr t came.
They said to him: “Verily your companion is claiming that he went to
Baitul Maqdis and returned in one night. They all had believed that
verily soon he would deny Rasulullah r but he replied: “If Rasulullah
r said that, then he is telling the truth.”
They then said: “How can you believe him regarding this matter? He said: “I believe him in that the Quraan

is revealed upon him from the skies, then how can I not believe him in this matter.” Thus Hadhrat Abu Bakr t became (Sideeq)

the one who Believed in all of what Nabi r use to say,’ and this new laqab (title) is the one
which he will be called by until the Day of Judgment. The most
agreed upon name is Hadhrat Abu Bakr As-Sideeq t.
The migration was that difficult journey from Makkah to Madinah.
Men were coming out secretly until none remained except Nabi r
Hadhrat Abu Bakr t and some of the weak. And the Quraish were
intending to kill Nabi r and were well prepared for that.
At the time all the people did not come out of the houses because of
the severe heat, Nabi r came out to the house of Hadhrat Abu Bakr t.
He r knocked on the door and was let into the house by Hadhrat Abu
Bakr t. Nabi r informed him that soon they will migrate to Madinah.
Hadhrat Abu Bakr t became so happy that he cried out of joy. Verily
he did not fear anything despite him knowing that he could die with
Rasulullah r. However, the confidence in the help of Allaah was
stronger in his heart than any other thing, and he knew well that
Allaah Ta`aala will protect his Rasul from any harm and evil.
As-Sideeq stood up and took all his wealth so that he will spend it in
the journey of migration until Rasulullah r said to him: “What have
you left for your family?” He replied: “I have left Allaah and His Rasul for them.”
We have not known any man in history sacrifice everything he
owned like how Hadhrat Abu Bakr t did, the one who sacrificed his
wealth, family and himself for the service of Islaam.
The first time Hadhrat Abu Bakr t preceded Nabi r in anything was
at the time he entered the cave on the day of migration so that he
could search the cave for any snakes or scorpions by which the Rasul
of Allaah r would be harmed. He then swept the cave with his
clothes for Rasulullah r and blocked every hole until one hole was
remaining which he could not block except with his foot. Rasulullah
r slept on the lap of Hadhrat Abu Bakr t. A snake which was in the
hole which Hadhrat Abu Bakr Sideeq t had blocked with his foot was
provoked and had bitten him in his foot. He experienced severe pain
but he did not want to wake Rasulullah r up, until the pain had
overcome him to such an extent that a tear which was on his cheek
had slowly slipped until it fell on the cheek of Rasulullah r and woke
him up.
Nabi r then said: “What is wrong O Abu Bakr?”
He replied: “I have been bitten O Rasulullah r”
Rasulullah r applied saliva in the place of the wound by means of
which Hadhrat Abu Bakr t was cured. Thereafter Rasulullah r made
dua saying: “O Allaah place Abu Bakr with me in my level on the
day of Qiyaamah.”
Allaah Ta`aala had answered the dua of his Nabi and revealed His
saying: “He was the second of the two when they were (hiding from
the kufaar) in the cave (outside Makkah) and He (Rasulullah r) told
his companion (when the kufaar were on the verge of capturing them) Do not grieve (do not fear for my safety). Verily Allaah is with
us (and he will protect us from the kufaar).” [Surah Taubah verse:
40]
The second of the two was Rasulullah r, and the companion was
Hadhrat Abu Bakr t and Allaah was with both of them until they
reached Madinah (and always).
Hadhrat Umar t and Hadhrat Abu Bakr t were both advisors of the
truth for Rasulullah r and the first of the Muslims in everything
which Rasulullaah r had command. Both of them had great love for
each other and they use to via with one another in good deeds, both
of them intending to precede the other.
Hadhrat Abu Bakr t was always in the front. On the day of the
Expedition of Tabuk Hadhrat Umar t said: “Today I will surpass Abu
Bakr,” and he went with half of his wealth to Rasulullaah r.
Nabi r said to him: “What have you left for your family O Umar?”
He t replied: “I have left half of my wealth for them.”
Hadhrat Abu Bakr t came and placed his wealth in the lap of
Rasulullaah r.
Nabi r said to him: “What have you left for family O Abu Bakr?”
He t said: “I have left Allaah and his Rasul for them.”
Hadhrat Umar t knew that definitely Hadhrat Abu Bakr t had
surpassed him in good on this occassion and this was not the only
time which Hadhrat Abu Bakr t had surpassed Hadhrat Umar t in
doing good. Rasulullaah r had come to the Muslims after Fajr Salaah
and thereafter said: “Who from you’ll are fasting today?” Hadhrat Umar t said: “Regarding myself, I spent the night resolving
to fast but awoke in the state that I was not fasting.”
Hadhrat Abu Bakr t said: “I, O Rasulullaah r spent the night
resolving to fast, and woke up in the morning as a fasting person.”
Rasulullaah r then said: “Which of you visited the sick today?”
Hadhrat Umar t said: “We have only read salaah now, how could we
have visited the sick?”
Hadhrat Abu Bakr t said: “I, O Rasulullaah r. They had informed me
that my brother Abdur Rahmaan bin Auf was sick. I made my way to
him, inquired regarding him and thereafter came to the Musjid.”
Rasulullaah r then said: “Who amongst you has given charity
today?”
Hadhrat Umar t said: “O Rasulullaah r, we remained with you the
entire night, how would we have given charity?”
Hadhrat Abu Bakr t replied: “I, O Rasulullaah r, when I entered the
Musjid, a beggar was begging, and the son of Abdur Rahmaan ibn
Abu Bakr had a piece of bread with him. I then took it and gave the
beggar.”
Thereafter Nabi r said: “Glad tidings of Jannah, Glad tidings of
Jannah.” Hadhrat Abu Bakr t was everlastingly preceding even
Hadhrat Umar ibn Khataab t in doing good after Rasulullaah r.
And one day, Hadhrat Umar t saw an unable woman; he went to
assist her in her matters but had found that a man had preceded him
in doing so. The following day the same thing occurred. Hadhrat Umar t then said to the woman: “Who has assisted you? She said: “A
man comes to me everyday.” Hadhrat Umar t waited a distance
observing the house of the unable woman, until he found that
Hadhrat Abu Bakr Sideeq t was the one helping her. He then said: “I
cannot precede Abu Bakr in anything except that he has already
preceded me in doing it.”
Once a dispute occurred between Hadhrat Abu Bakr t and a man
from the Muslims known as

Rabeeah al-Aslami.

Hadhrat Abu Bakr t said such a word which

Rabeeah did not like.
Hadhrat Abu Bakr t regretted upon saying this word and said to
Rabeeah: “O Rabeeah! Return upon me the likeness of that which I
said.”

Rabeeah said:

“I will not do that.” Hadhrat Abu Bakr t then said: “You should definitely say it or I will definitely go to Rasulullaah r”

Hadhrat Abu Bakr t rushed to Rasulullaah r and the people and family of Rabeeah had come.

They said: “May Allaah have mercy on Abu Bakr for saying what he
said. Thereafter he will complain to Rasulullaah r?”
Rabee`ah said: “Do you know who this Abu Bakr is?” Verily he is the
second of the two in the cave, and a possessor of age in Islaam.
Beware if he comes to know what you have said, and then will be
angry with me. Thereafter he will report it to Rasulullaah r and
Rasulullaah r will become angry because of him being angry, and
then Allaah will become angry because of the anger of Rasulullaah r
and Hadhrat Abu Bakr Hadhrat Abu Bakr t reached Rasulullaah r and related what had
occurred between him and Rabeeah. Thereafter Rabeeah came and
said to Rasulullaah r: “O Rasulullaah r! Definitely he had said such
and such words to me, until he said such a word which I did not
like.” Then he said to me: “Say what I have said to you. I then
refused.” Rasulullaah r said: “Do not return upon him (i.e. what he
said to you), but say: “May Allaah forgive you O Abu Bakr!”
Yes, this was the preference given by Nabi r to Hadhrat Abu Bakr t
over the other Sahaabah t. Nabi r used to see him as the helper after
Allaah Ta’aala at every time, and He r used to say: “No wealth has
benefited me to the value of what the wealth of Abu Bakr has
benefited me.”
Hadhrat Abu Bakr t then cried and said: “Am I and my wealth not
except for you O Rasulullaah r.” Rasulullaah r replied to him saying:
“No one is greater in hand to me (i.e. in value) than Abu Bakr. He
treated/nursed me with himself and his wealth and got me married to
his daughter (Hadhrat Ayesha t)”
Thereafter Rasulullaah r was saying advising the Muslims
regarding Hadhrat Abu Bakr t: “Verily for him is such a hand, Allaah
will suffice him with it on the day of Qiyaamah.”
On a day from the days which Hadhrat Jibraeel

u descended upon Nabi r, he found that

Hadhrat Abu Bakr t had sat wearing a woollen wrap in which there are many patches. Hadhrat Jibraeel u said to

Him “What has happened, I have seen

Abu Bakr, upon him is a woollen wrap in it is patches.”
Nabi r said: “He spent his wealth on me before the Conquest. (i.e. the
Conquest of Makkah). Hadhrat Jibra`eel u said: “Verily Allaah
) has sent salutations
upon you and is saying to you: “Say to Abu Bakr: ‘Is he pleased with
Allaah?’)”
Rasulullaah r then said to Hadhrat Abu Bakr t: “Verily Allaahnis sending salutations upon you and saying to you: “Are you
pleased with Him in this poverty of yours?”
Hadhrat Abu Bakr t: “Can I become angry with my Rabb? I am
pleased with my Rabb, I am pleased with my Rabb, and I am pleased
with my Rabb.”
Rasulullaah r had departed to Allaah
) whilst he was pleased
with Hadhrat Abu Bakr As-Sideeq t.
After the death of Nabi u, the Muslims looked for the most virtuous
of them. They did not find anybody better than Hadhrat Abu Bakr t.
He had then become the first Khalifah for the Muslims after Nabi r.
He waged war against those musrikeen (those who worship more
than one god) who rejected the giving of Zakaat. Then Allaah had
assisted him against them. Thereafter the armies had travelled to
conquer the countries of Persia and Rome because Islaam was
spreading there.
The consumptive sword of Allaah, Khaalid bin Waleed was
conquering in the country of Persia and the cities were falling at his
hands one after the other. He called out the Azaan in a loud voice
here as a substitute from that conflagration the one which was
being worshipped besides Allaah
And the people were
entering in the deen of Allaah in numbers. Then Allaah gave victory
to the Muslims over the great country of Persia until Umar ibn
Khataab had completed the conquering of it in his khilaafat. The armies of the mulims in Shaam (Syria) under the leadership of

Ubaidah ibn Jarraah and Amr ibn

were passing the deserts in its path to Baitul Maqdis

so that it will free it from the hands of the Romans,

and so that the flag of will be raised above the rulers of Shaam.

Many conquests continued in the time of

Hadhrat Abu Bakr t until the wealth of Islaam had quickly

moved and great numbers of people had entered in Islaam in the conquered lands.

From the great actions of Hadhrat Abu Bakr t was the gathering of the book or the

Quraan in one book with the encouragement of
Hadhrat Umar ibn Khataab t and the assistance of Hadhrat Zaid bin
Thaabit t. The Qur`aan, in book form, remained in the house of
Hadhrat Hafsah t Ummul Mumineen until Hadhrat Uthmaan ibn
Affaan t took it in his khilafat and united the Muslims regarding it.
One day in the thirteenth year after Hijrah, Hadhrat Abu Bakr Sideeq
t was on his bed awaiting the arrival of Malakul Maut (the angel of
death) when his family around him said: “Must we bring you a
doctor?”
He replied: “Definitely a doctor has seen me.”
They said to him: “What did he say?”
He definitely said: “Verily I will do what I intend.”
Thereafter Hadhrat Abu Bakr t sent whatever he owned to the Baitul
Maal (Muslim treasury) and nothing was left as inheritance for his
family after him. Thereafter the angel of death came to him in order
take possession of his soul so that he would rise up to Allaah and meet the soul of Nabi r in the skies after death had separated
both of them, so that Allaah Ta`aala will gather both of them in his
continuous mercy.

Beneficial Lessons

1. To believe in Allaah alone without any partners.
2. Hadhrat Abu Bakr As Sideeq t is the most virtuous of the
   Sahaabah after Rasulullaah r.
3. Hadhrat Abu Bakr t is from amongst the first who accepted
   Islaam. (i.e. the first man), the first to read Salaah, the first to
   enter the cave, the second of the two on the day of Hijrah and
   the possessor of age/white hair in Islaam.
4. The sacrificing in the path of Allaah with himself, family and
   wealth.