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#25 – The Piety of Abu Bakr As-Siddīq
Jan 24 – 30, 2022
Jumaada Thaaniyah 21 – 27, 1443

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The Piety of Abu Bakr As-Siddīq

What have Allah and His Messenger said about

The Piety of Abu Bakr As-Siddīq

إِلَّا تَنصُرُوهُ فَقَدْ نَصَرَهُ ٱللَّهُ إِذْ أَخْرَجَهُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ ثَانِىَ ٱثْنَيْنِ إِذْ هُمَا فِى ٱلْغَارِ إِذْ يَقُولُ لِصَـٰحِبِهِۦ لَا تَحْزَنْ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَنَا ۖ فَأَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ سَكِينَتَهُۥ عَلَيْهِ وَأَيَّدَهُۥ بِجُنُودٍ لَّمْ تَرَوْهَا وَجَعَلَ كَلِمَةَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ ٱلسُّفْلَىٰ ۗ وَكَلِمَةُ ٱللَّهِ هِىَ ٱلْعُلْيَا ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ۝
If you do not aid him [i.e., the Prophet (ﷺ)] – Allah has already aided him when those who disbelieved had driven him out [of Makkah] as one of two, when they were in the cave and he [i.e., Muḥammad (ﷺ)] said to his companion, “Do not grieve; indeed Allah is with us.” And Allah sent down His tranquility upon him and supported him with soldiers [i.e., angels] you did not see and made the word of those who disbelieved the lowest, while the word of Allah – that is the highest. And Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.

[Surah At-Tawbah, Ayah 40]
وَٱلسَّـٰبِقُونَ ٱلْأَوَّلُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُهَـٰجِرِينَ وَٱلْأَنصَارِ وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّبَعُوهُم بِإِحْسَـٰنٍ رَّضِىَ ٱللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا۟ عَنْهُ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُمْ جَنَّـٰتٍ تَجْرِى تَحْتَهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ۝
And the first forerunners [in the faith] among the Muhājireen and the Anṣār and those who followed them with good conduct – Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him, and He has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. That is the great attainment.

[Surah At-Tawbah, Ayah 100]
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ نُمَيْرٍ، عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ أَمَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ أَبَا بَكْرٍ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ بِالنَّاسِ فِي مَرَضِهِ فَكَانَ يُصَلِّي بِهِمْ فَوَجَدَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ خِفَّةً فَخَرَجَ وَإِذَا أَبُو بَكْرٍ يَؤُمُّ النَّاسَ فَلَمَّا رَآهُ أَبُو بَكْرٍ اسْتَأْخَرَ فَأَشَارَ إِلَيْهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ أَىْ كَمَا أَنْتَ فَجَلَسَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ حِذَاءَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ إِلَى جَنْبِهِ فَكَانَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ يُصَلِّي بِصَلاَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ وَالنَّاسُ يُصَلُّونَ بِصَلاَةِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ ‏.‏
It was narrated that ‘Aishah said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) told Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer when he was sick, and Abu Bakr used to lead them in prayer. Then the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) began to feel a little better, so he came out, and saw Abu Bakr leading the people in prayer. When Abu Bakr saw him, he stepped back, but the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) gestured to him to stay where he was. Then the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) sat beside Abu Bakr. Abu Bakr was following the prayer of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), and the people were following the prayer of Abu Bakr.”

[Sunan Ibn Majah 1233]
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْيَمَانِ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعَيْبٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي حُمَيْدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ عَوْفٍ، أَنَّ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏”‏ مَنْ أَنْفَقَ زَوْجَيْنِ مِنْ شَىْءٍ مِنَ الأَشْيَاءِ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ دُعِيَ مِنْ أَبْوَابِ ـ يَعْنِي الْجَنَّةَ ـ يَا عَبْدَ اللَّهِ هَذَا خَيْرٌ، فَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الصَّلاَةِ دُعِيَ مِنْ باب الصَّلاَةِ، وَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجِهَادِ دُعِيَ مِنْ باب الْجِهَادِ، وَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الصَّدَقَةِ دُعِيَ مِنْ باب الصَّدَقَةِ، وَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الصِّيَامِ دُعِيَ مِنْ باب الصِّيَامِ، وَبَابِ الرَّيَّانِ ‏”‏‏.‏ فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ مَا عَلَى هَذَا الَّذِي يُدْعَى مِنْ تِلْكَ الأَبْوَابِ مِنْ ضَرُورَةٍ، وَقَالَ هَلْ يُدْعَى مِنْهَا كُلِّهَا أَحَدٌ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ ‏”‏ نَعَمْ، وَأَرْجُو أَنْ تَكُونَ مِنْهُمْ يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ ‏”‏‏.‏
Narrated Abu Huraira: I heard Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) saying, “Anybody who spends a pair of something in Allah’s Cause will be called from all the gates of Paradise, “O Allah’s slave! This is good.’ He who is amongst those who pray will be called from the gate of the prayer (in Paradise) and he who is from the people of Jihad will be called from the gate of Jihad, and he who is from those’ who give in charity (i.e. Zakat) will be called from the gate of charity, and he who is amongst those who observe fast will be called from the gate of fasting, the gate of Raiyan.” Abu Bakr said, “He who is called from all those gates will need nothing,” He added, “Will anyone be called from all those gates, O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)?” He said, “Yes, and I hope you will be among those, O Abu Bakr.”

[Sahih al-Bukhari 3666]

Hiding In The Cave

In the verse, by citing the event of the Hijrah of the Holy Prophet (SAW), it has been stressed that the Rasul of Allah has no need to depend on any human help and support. Allah can help him directly through unseen factors as it happened at the time of Hijrah when his own people had forced him to leave his homeland. On this journey, the only companion he had was Sayyidnā Abū Bakr (RA), the true one. Enemy foot soldiers and riders were looking for them in hot pursuit. The place to hide he had found was no fortified fortress. It was just a cave and the enemy search party had reached close to its edges. Inside it, the companion of the cave, Sayyidna Abu Bakr (RA) also, was worried, not for his own safety, but about his master. He was in fear lest the enemy outside were to harm the Holy Prophet (SAW) But, the master himself was sitting calm like a mountain at peace. Not simply that he was himself cool and collected, he was telling his companion, Sayyidna Abu Bakr: لَا تَحْزَنْ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَنَا (lā taħzan innallāha ma‘ana: Do not grieve. Allah is with us).

What has been said here is composed of a couple of words, easy and effortless as they sound. But, let those listening place the blueprint of conditions prevailing before their eyes, cross their hearts and ask: Can someone dependent on mere material means be that tranquil? Every honest person would say that it was just not possible.

[Maarif ul Quran Vol-4 (pg 384-385) , Maktabah Dar al Uloom, Translation by Prof. Muhammad Hasan Askari & Prof. Muhammad Shamim]

As-Siddeeq

As-Siddeeq, the most well-known of Abu Bakr’s titles, comes from the word Sidą, which means truthfulness. The word As-Siddeeq is meant to convey a meaning of intensiveness: a person who is constantly truthful or who constantly believes in the truthfulness of something or someone (in Abu Bakr’s case, in the truthfulness of the Prophet). The title As-Siddeeq’ was given to Abu Bakr this by none other than the Prophet (SAW) Anas narrated, “The Prophet (ﷺ) once climbed the mountain of Uhud with Abu Bakr, `Umar and `Uthman. The mountain shook with them. The Prophet (ﷺ) said (to the mountain), “Be firm, O Uhud! For on you there are no more than a Prophet, a Siddiq and two martyrs (‘Umar and ‘Uthmān).” [Sahih al-Bukhari 3675]

His Islam

The Prophet’s (SAW) Companions were informed that, whenever he invited a person to Islam, that person would hesitate before making up his mind to embrace Islam – except for Abu Bakr (RA), who neither hesitated nor wavered, but instead immediately embraced Islam and believed in the Messenger of Allah (SAW). This should not come as a surprise to those who are familiar with Abu Bakr’s life prior to the advent of Islam: Just as the Prophet (SAW) was being prepared for the first 40 years of his life for the duties of Prophethood, so too was Abu Bakr being prepared for the first 38 years of his life for Islam and for becoming a Companion of the Messenger of Allah . Another incident attests to this reality: During one of his journeys to Ash-Sham, Abu Bakr met a monk named Buhairah, whom he wanted to consult regarding a dream he had seen. Buhairah asked, “Where are you from?” Abu Bakr (RA) replied, “From Makkah.” Buhairah then asked him which tribe he was from, and Abu Bakr (RA) replied, “From the Quraish.” Buhairah asked, “What is it that you do?” Abu Bakr answered, “I am a businessman.” Then, having listened to Abu Bakr as he related to him his dream, Buhairah said, “If Allah makes your dream come true, a Prophet will be sent from among your people; you will be his minister during his lifetime, and his Khaleefah (successor) after his death.” Abu Bakr then kept Buhairah’s interpretation a secret, which he shared with no one.

Perhaps the main reason why Abu Bakr did not hesitate before he embraced Islam was that he was intimately acquainted with the Prophet (SAW) during the pre-Islamic days of ignorance. Like every other member of the Quraish, Abu Bakr knew that Muhammad was trustworthy and honest; but he knew him more intimately than did other members of the Quraish, and he came to know him for his other wonderful qualities as well. Abu Bakr knew that Muhammad was so honest that he would not lie even about small matters, never mind about the honor of other people; he is consequently knew that it was impossible for Muhammad (SAW) to lie about Allah (SWT).

[The Biography of Abu Bakr As Siddeeq (pg 29-30 & 51 – 52), By Dr ‘Ali Muhmmad Muhammad As-Sallaabee, Translation by Faisal Shafeeq, Darussalam]

Spiritual Reminders

The Da’wah of Abu Bakr (RA)
Abu Bakr (RA) was universally loved by the Quraish — by noblemen, businessmen, scholars, and the poor. But perhaps he wielded his greatest influence on scholars and on the intellectuals of society. The intellectual class of Quraishee society consisted mainly of men between the ages of twenty and forty; those men were usually from the nobility, for, possessing status and wealth, they did not need to spend all of their days on business, but could instead spend much of their time on scholarly pursuits. Abu Bakr i went to such men and presented the teachings of Islam to them, and his efforts reaped wonderful fruits, for all of the following men – men who became eminent Companions in their own right embraced Islam at his hands: Az-Zubair ibn Al-Awwaam, ‘Uthman ibn ‘Affan, Talhah ibn ‘Ubaidullah, Sa’ad ibn Abee Waqqaas, ‘Uthmān ibn Madh’oon, Abu ‘Ubaidah ibn Al-Jarraah , ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn ‘Auf, Abu Salamah ibn ‘Abdul-Asad, and Al-Arqam ibn Abee Al-Arqam . Each of them went and officially embraced Islam in the presence of the Messenger of Allah , and each of them then went on to preach the message of Islam to others.

Abu Bakr achieved success in his Da’wah efforts not just among his circle of friends but also within his family. Each of the following members of his household embraced Islam during those early days of the Prophet’s mission: Asmaa; ‘Aaishah; ‘Abdullah; Umm Roomaan; and Abu Bakr’s servant, ‘Aamir ibn Fuhairah. It is an understatement to say that Abu Bakr (RA) was a successful Daa’ee (caller to the message of Islam). But it is not surprising that he was so successful as a Daa’ee if one considers the qualities he possessed: sincerity, a noble character, generosity, truthfulness, modesty, gentleness, affability, and the list goes on and on. Every Muslim who invites others to embrace Islam would do well to keep in mind the qualities and traits that made Abu Bakr in such a successful Daa’ee.

True, weak Companions and slaves were the most susceptible of all Muslims to persecution and torture at the hands of the Quraish, but even Muslims from the upper classes of Makkah were not saved from one form of persecution or another. Abu Bakr was no exception: In fact, on one occasion, Abu Bakr to was beaten so badly that he almost died as a result. When there were only 38 male Muslims, Abu Bakr (RA) urged the Messenger of Allah (SAW) to openly preach the message of Islam, but the Prophet (SAW) responded by saying, “O Abu Bakr, we are (as of yet) few in number.”

Abu Bakr continued to urge the Prophet to openly preach until, one day, the Muslims spread out in different parts of the Masjid, with each man remaining in the midst of his clan. Abu Bakr then stood up to deliver a sermon, while the Messenger of Allah (SAW) remained seated. On that day, Abu Bakr became the first person (from this nation) to deliver a sermon in which he invited people unto Allah and His Messenger (SAW). The polytheists did not idly listen to his sermon; instead, they became enraged and charged towards Abu Bakr and the other Muslims. In various parts of the Masjid, the Quraish were giving a severe beating to the Muslims. Abu Bakr 6 was both trampled upon and beaten severely; using his shoes, the evildoer ‘Utbah ibn Rabee’ah began to viciously strike Abu Bakr (RA) on his face. So severely was Abu Bakr beaten, and so much blood flowed down his face, that it became difficult to discern between his face and the back of his head.
Had the beating continued, Abu Bakr might have died; in fact, even as matters stood, he did almost die. But his fellow clansmen from Banu Teem came, although somewhat belatedly, to defend him. They pushed the attacking mob away and carried Abu Bakr to his home, feeling certain that he had died. Members of the Banu Teem clan then returned to the Masjid and proclaimed, “By Allah, if Abu Bakr dies, we will indeed kill Utbah ibn Rabee’ah.” They then returned to Abu Bakr , and Abu Quhaafah – Abu Bakr’s father – as well as other members of Banu Tameem tried to speak to him until he finally revived at the end of the day and spoke to them. But rather than answer their questions, and rather than worry about his own condition, Abu Bakr asked them how the Prophet was doing. Since they were not Muslims, and since they cared about Abu Bakr’s welfare particularly because he was from their clan – as opposed to the Prophet (SAW) – they were rather upset by what Abu Bakr had said, and they reproached him, reminding him that he should be worried about staying alive, for though he had regained consciousness, he was still extremely weak and bruised from the beating he had taken. His fellow clansmen urged his mother, Umm Al-Khair, to give him food and drink. And when the two of them were then left alone together, Umm Al-Khair implored Abu Bakr (RA) to partake of some nourishment, but Abu Bakr kept asking about the Prophet It wasn’t surprising that no one from Banu Teem knew how the Prophet was doing, since it was hard to make out what had happened during the chaotic violence that had just taken place, and since the Prophet was, like Abu Bakr (RA), being taken care of by his fellow clansmen, the men of Banu Hashim.

Despite his own weakness and need for rest and nourishment, Abu Bakr then made an oath that he would neither eat nor drink before first going to the Messenger of Allah (SAW) and making sure that he was well. But both Umm Jameel and Umm Al-Khair delayed him, for they thought it was best to wait for the situation to calm down in the streets. When things did finally calm down, they led Abu Bakr it to the House of Al-Arqam, and since he couldn’t walk on his own, he was leaning on them for support. As soon as they entered, the Messenger of Allah (SAW) hurried towards Abu Bakr (RA) and kissed him; the other Muslims that were there also hurried to meet Abu Bakr (RA). The Messenger of Allah was greatly moved by Abu Bakr’s condition. Knowing that the Prophet was worried about him, Abu Bakr said, “May my mother and father be held ransom for you, O Messenger of Allah. The only hurt I feel is a result of the blows that Al-Faasiq (the evildoer, i.e., ‘Utbah ibn Rabee’ah) delivered to my face. And here (with me) is my mother, who is faithful to her son. And you are blessed, so invite her unto Allah, and supplicate to Allah for her, for perhaps, through you, Allah will save her from the Hellfire.” The Messenger of Allah supplicated for her and invited her unto Allah, and she responded to his invitation by embracing Islam.”

[The Biography of Abu Bakr As Siddeeq (pg 56 – 58), By Dr ‘Ali Muhmmad Muhammad As-Sallaabee, Translation by Faisal Shafeeq, Darussalam]

When the Muslims were put to trial (in their religion), Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with them him) left (Makkah), having decided to migrate towards the land of Abyssinia. When he reached Bark Al-Ghimaad (which is about five-days traveling distance from Makkah), he met a man named Ibn Ad-Dughunah, who was the chief of Al-Qaarah (Al-Qaarah is a subdivision of the Banu Al-Haun ibn Khuzaimah tribe). Ibn Ad-Dughnah asked, “Where are you headed towards, O Abu Bakr?” Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with them him) said, “My people have forced me to leave (Makkah), and I now want to travel freely on earth and worship my Lord.” Ibn Ad-Dughunah said, “Someone of your ranking and character does not leave and should not be forced to leave: For indeed, you provide for the needy, you join ties of family relations, you support the weak, you honor your guests, and you help others to rise above the vicissitudes of life. I, then, will provide you with protection. Return and worship your Lord in your homeland.” Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) returned, and Ibn Ad-Dughnah accompanied him.

[This is a portion of a longer hadith. See Bukhari Hadith # 2176 for more]

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Sirah

The Birth of Abu Bakr (RA)
Scholars agree that Abu Bakr bin was born after the Year of the Elephant – the year during which Abraha marched towards Makkah with his army – which means that he was younger than the Prophet . Beyond that general agreement, scholars disagree about the exact date of his birth. Some scholars maintain that he was born three years after the Year of the Elephant; others believe that he was born two years and six months after the Year of the Elephant; and yet others say that he was born two years and some months after the Year of the Elephant. Born and raised in a house of noble lineage, Abu Bakr (RA) was blessed with a very respectful upbringing; from a very young age, he gained the honor and the respect of his people.

[The Biography of Abu Bakr As Siddeeq (pg 32), By Dr ‘Ali Muhmmad Muhammad As-Sallaabee, Translation by Faisal Shafeeq, Darussalam]

Read Next Blog: Rights of the Neighbors

Sunnah Acts

Love for Abu Bakr (RA)
It was narrated that Anas said:
“It was said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, which of the people is most beloved to you?’ He said: “Aishah.’ It was asked, ‘And among men?’ He said: ‘Her father.'”

[Sunan Ibn Majah 101]

Adhkar/Dua

Dua of Abu Bakr (RA) When Being Praised
اللَّهُمَّ لاَ تُؤَاخِذْنِي بِمَا يَقُولُونَ، وَاغْفِرْ لِي مَا لا يَعْلَمُونَ‏
O Allah do not take me to task with what they say, and forgive me for what they do not know.

[Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 761]
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