Hadrat Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (radi-allaho-unhum)

Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, `Atiq ibn Abi Quhafa, Khalifatul-Muslimeen, `Abd Allah ibn `Uthman ibn `Amir al-Qurashi al-Taymi (d. 13), the Prophet’s intimate friend after Allah, exclusive companion at the Prophet’s Basin (hawd) and in the Cave, greatest supporter, closest confidant, first spiritual inheritor, first of the men who believed in him and the only one who did so unhesitatingly, first of his four Rightly-Guided successors, first of the ten promised Paradise, and first of the Prophet’s Community to enter Paradise.

Alone among the Companions, Abu Bakr repeatedly led the Community in prayer in the lifetime of the Prophet. The latter used to call him by his patronyms of Abu Bakr and Ibn Abi Quhafa, and he named him with the attributes "The Most Truthful" (al-Siddîq) and "Allah’s Freedman From the Fire" (`Atîq Allâh min al-nâr). When the Quraysh confronted the Prophet after the Night Journey, they turned to Abu Bakr and said: "Do you believe what he said, that he went last night to the Hallowed House and came back before morning?" He replied: "If he said it, then I believe him, yes, and I do believe him regarding what is farther than that. I believe the news of heaven he brings, whether in the space of a morning or in that of an evening journey." Because of this Abu Bakr was named al-Siddîq: the Very Truthful, the One Who Never Lies.

Among the Companions who narrated from him: Anas, `A’isha, Jabir, Abu Hurayra, the four `Abd Allahs (Ibn `Abbas, Ibn Mas`ud, Ibn `Umar, Ibn `Amr), `Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr, `Umar, `Uthman, and `Ali. The latter is one of the narrators of the Prophet’s hadith cited by Abu Bakr: "We [Prophets] do not leave anything as inheritance. What we leave behind is charity (sadaqa)."

`Umar said: "Abu Bakr’s faith outweighs the faith of the entire Umma." This is confirmed by the following hadith: The Prophet asked: "Did any of you see anything in his dream?" A man said to the Prophet: "O Messenger of Allah, I saw in my dream as if a balance came down from the heaven in which you were weighed against Abu Bakr and outweighed him, then Abu Bakr was weighed against `Umar and outweighed him, then `Umar was weighed against `Uthman and outweighed him, then the balance was raised up." This displeased the Prophet who said: "Successorship of prophethood (khilâfa nubuwwa)! Then Allah shall give kingship to whomever He will." `Umar also said: "The best of this Community after its Prophet is Abu Bakr." `Ali named him and `Umar the Shaykh al-Islam of the Community and said: "The best of this Community after its Prophet are Abu Bakr and `Umar," "The most courageous of people is Abu Bakr," and "The greatest in reward among people for the volumes of the Qur’an is Abu Bakr, for he was the first of those who gathered the Qur’an between two covers." He was also the first to name it mushaf.

Abu Bakr’s high rank is indicated, among other signs, by the fact that to deny his Companionship to the Prophet entails disbelief (kufr), unlike the denial of the Companionship of `Umar, `Uthman, and `Ali to the Prophet. This is due to the mention of this companionship in the verse: "The second of two when the two were in the cave, and he said unto his companion: Grieve not" (9:40) which refers, by Consensus, to the Prophet and Abu Bakr. Allah further praised him above the rest by saying: "Those who spent and fought before the victory are not upon a level (with the rest of you)." (57:10)

The Prophet confirmed his high rank in many of his sayings, among them:

"Allah gave one of His servants a choice between this world and what He has with Him, and that servant chose what Allah has with Him." Abu Bakr wept profusely and we wondered why he wept, since the Prophet had told of a servant that was given a choice. The Prophet himself was that servant, as Abu Bakr later told us. The Prophet continued: "Among those most dedicated to me in his companionship and property is Abu Bakr. If I were to take an intimate friend other than my Lord, I would take Abu Bakr. But what binds us is the brotherhood of Islam and its love. Let no door [of the Prophet’s mosque] remain open except Abu Bakr’s."

"I am excused, before each of my friends, of any intimate friendship with anyone. But if I were to take an intimate friend, I would take Ibn Abi Quhafa as my intimate friend. Verily, your Companion is the intimate friend of Allah!"

"You [Abu Bakr] are my companion at the Basin and my companion in the Cave."

"Call Abu Bakr and his son so that I will put something down in writing, for I fear lest someone ambitious forward a claim, and Allah and the believers refuse anyone other than Abu Bakr."

`Amr ibn al-`As asked: "O Messenger of Allah, who is the most beloved of all men to you?" He replied: "Abu Bakr."

"It is impermissible for a people among whom is Abu Bakr, to be led by other than him."

"Take for your leaders those who come after me: Abu Bakr and `Umar."

"O`Ali! Abu Bakr and `Umar are the leaders of the mature inhabitants of Paradise and its youth among the first and the last, except for Prophets and Messengers."

"The sun never rose nor set over anyone better than Abu Bakr."

"The Prophet used to hold nightly conversations with Abu Bakr in the latter’s house, discussing the affairs of Muslims, and I [`Umar] was present with them."

`Umar was angered by Abu Bakr one day and left him in anger. Abu Bakr followed after him, asking his forgiveness, but `Umar refused and shut his door in his face. Abu Bakr then went to the Prophet and took hold of his garment until his knee showed. The Prophet said: "Your companion has been arguing!" Abu Bakr greeted him and said: "There was a dispute between me and `Umar, then I felt remorse and asked him to forgive me but he would not, so I came to you." The Prophet said, repeating three times: "Allah forgives you, O Abu Bakr! Allah forgives you, O Abu Bakr! Allah forgives you, O Abu Bakr!" Then `Umar felt remorse and went asking for Abu Bakr at his house without finding him. He came to the Prophet and greeted him, but the Prophet’s face changed with displeasure. Seeing this, Abu Bakr sat up on his knees in fear before the Prophet, saying twice: "O Messenger of Allah! I am the one who trangressed. O Messenger of Allah! I am the one who transgressed." The Prophet said to the people: "Allah sent me to you and you all said: ‘You are lying!’ But Abu Bakr said: ‘He said the truth.’ Abu Bakr gave me solace with his person and property. Will you leave my companion alone once and for all? Will you leave my companion alone once and for all?!" After this Abu Bakr was never harmed again.

"Jibril came to me, took me by the hand, and showed me the gate through which my Community shall enter Paradise." Abu Bakr said: "Would that I were with you to see it!" The Prophet said: "Did you not know? You will be the first of all my Community to enter it."

Al-Suyuti relates through Ibn Sa`d’s report from `A’isha her description of Abu Bakr: "He was a man with fair skin, thin, emaciated, with a sparse beard, a slightly hunched frame, sunken eyes and protruding forehead, and the bases of his fingers were hairless." He was the foremost genealogist of the Quraysh and the best of them at interpreting dreams after the Prophet according to Ibn Sirin. `A’isha related that both he and `Uthman had relinquished drinking wine even in the Time of Ignorance. His caliphate lasted two years and three months in which he opened up the lands of Syria and Iraq for the Muslims, suppressed apostasy among the Arab tribes, fought the pseudo-Prophets al-Aswad al-`Ansi, Tulayha al-Asadi who recanted and declared his prophethood in Najd, and Musaylima the Liar who was killed in the devastating battle of al-Yamama.

Imam al-Nawawi pointed out that Abu Bakr’s genealogical tree alone regroups four successive generations of Companions of the Prophet: his father Abu Quhafa, himself, his daughter Asma’, and her son `Abd Allah, in addition to Abu Bakr’s son `Abd al-Rahman and his grandson Abu `Atiq. Nawawi states that only one hundred and forty-two hadiths of the Prophet are narrated from Abu Bakr. He comments: "The reason for this scarcity, despite the seniority of his companionship to the Prophet, is that his death pre-dated the dissemination of hadiths and the endeavor of the Followers to hear, gather, and preserve them." Among Abu Bakr’s sayings: "Whoever fights his ego for Allah’s sake, Allah will protect Him against what He hates."

Main sources: Al-Nawawi, Tahdhib al-Asma’ wa al-Lughat 2:181-182; Abu Nu`aym, Hilya al-Awliya’ 1:62-72 #1; al-Dhahabi, Siyar A`lam al-Nubala’ 1-2:467-508 #2.

The Book of Allah, and the Sunnah of the Messenger (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) clearly mention the lofty position of the Sahabah - The first ones to accept Islam and to believe in the last Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam). They were the ones, who accepted enmity against their tribes and families and endured their tyranny and oppression, left their homelands and migrated to Madinah, all for the sake of practicing and spreading the religion of Allah. They fought along with the Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam), against the Kuffar, with their wealth and lives. They are the ones, whom Allah chose to place the responsibility of preserving the religion of Islam for the coming generations and it is through them that the Religion is preserved; they are the Best of generation, as Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said: "The best of my nation is my generation then those who follow them and then those who follow them.” [Saheeh Bukharee]

Allah, the All-Wise and Knowledgeable extolled their virtues in His Book saying: “Rather, the Prophet and those who believe with him fought with their property and their lives for these are all good things, they are the successful ones and Allah has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flow to dwell therein forever and that is the great success” [ (9): 88-89]

They are the best example for us after our noble Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam), he (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) symbolized them as a protection for the Muslim Ummah. And Allah, the Exalted has praised those who follow them in faith, He described them saying:

“And the first to embrace Islam of the Muhajirun and Ansar and all those who followed them exactly (in faith). Allah is well pleased with them and they are pleased with Him and Allah has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flow to dwell therein forever and that is the great success.” [Soorah at-Tawbah (9): 100]

Abi Burda reports from his father: “… He (Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) raised his head toward the heavens and said: "The stars are the protection for the sky - when the stars have gone, that which has been forewarned will come to the sky. I am the protection for my Companions (radiallahu anhu) - when I have gone, that which has been forewarned will come to my companions. My Companions are the protection for this Ummah - when they have gone, that which has been forewarned will come to this Ummah." [Saheeh Muslim]

So, the only protection for this Ummah is to stick to the way of the Companions, the first generation - the best generation. We will now focus specifically on the status and the virtues of the best of this best generation, Abu Bakr as-Siddiq - the first Khalifa, the most beloved person to Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam):

Narrated Amr bin Al-Aas (radiallahu anhu): “The Prophet of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) deputed me to lead the army of Dat as-Salasil. I came to him and said: “Who is the most beloved person to you?' He said: “Aa'isha” I asked “Amongst men?” He said: “Her father (Abu Bakr)...” [Saheeh Al-Bukharee v.5, no.14]

Abu Bakr As-Siddique was the closest of the Companions in relationship to the Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam). Ibn Abbas (radiallahu anhu) reports: “The Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) came out during his illness from which he died, his head bound with a cloth. He sat on the minbar, thanked Allah, praised Him and said: “There is no one among the people who has been more generous to me with his life and his property than Abu Bakr ibn Abi Quhaafa (radiallahu anhu) and if I was to take a bosom friend, I would take Abu Bakr as my bosom friend. But, the friendship of Islam is better. Block off every door in this Masjid except the door of Abu Bakr” [Saheeh Al-Bukharee]

He (radiallahu anhu) was the first person to accept Islam amongst men. He was always present for the Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) and was the quickest to come to his defense and to affirm and believe everything, which came from the Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam). Narrated Urwa ibn Az-Zubair: 'I asked Amr ibn Al-Aas (radiallahu anhu): What was the most severe thing the mushrikeen ever did to Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam)? He answered: “Once, when the Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) was praying in the court of the Kaaba, Uqba ibn Abi Mu'eet came and put a piece of cloth around his neck and began choking him severely. Abu Bakr came along grabbed his shoulders and pushed him away from the Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) saying: “Do you kill a man just for saying my Lord is Allah?” [Saheeh Al-Bukhari]

Abu Ya'la (radiallahu anhu) also narrates that Anas ibn Malik said: “They beat the Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) one day until he lost consciousness. Abu Bakr stood and began calling out: 'Woe to you! Do you kill a man just for saying my Lord is Allah? The people asked one another: “Who is this?” And they said: “That is Ibn Abi Quhaafa the madman” [Saheeh Al-Bukhari (Hasan)]

Being the closest Companion to the Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam), Abu Bakr was also the most knowledgeable in both belief and understanding the teachings of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam), as we see in the following:

Narrated Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (radiallahu anhu): “Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) sat on the pulpit and said: “Allah has given one of his slave, the choice of receiving the splendor and luxury of the worldly life (whatever he likes) or to accept the good (of the Hereafter) which is with Him (Allah). So he has chosen that good which is with Allah.” On that Abu Bakr (radiallahu anhu) wept and said: “Our fathers and mothers be sacrificed for you. We became astonished at this.” The people said: “Look at this old man! Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) talks about the slave of Allah to whom He has given the option to choose either the splendor of this worldly life or good which is with Him, while he says, “Our fathers and mothers be sacrificed for you.” But it was Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) who had been given the option, and Abu Bakr (radiallahu anhu) knew it better than us.” [Saheeh Al-Bukharee v.5, no.244]

The Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam), himself informed us in his traditions that Abu Bakr (radiallahu anhu) was not a person of pride. Ibn Umar narrates: “Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said: "Whoever drags his clothing on the ground in pride will not be looked at by Allah on Qiyamah." Abu Bakr (radiallahu anhu) said: One side of my garment always drags on the ground unless I constantly tend to it. The Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said to him: “You do not do that out of pride.” [Saheeh Al-Bukharee]

He (radiallahu anhu) was named ‘As-Siddeeq’ - ‘'the true verifier’, because he hastened to believe the Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam). He was named so after the Prophet's journey to Jerusalem, when the Qura'ish refused to believe Prophet Muhammad's (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) journey to Jerusalem within a night, Abu Bakr (radiallahu anhu) when he heard of it, he said: “I have always believed in his words about heavenly revelation; how can I disbelieve him in a secondary worldly matter.”

Narrated Anas ibn Malik (radiallahu anhu): “The Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) was on Mount Uhud with Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthman when the mountain trembled. He (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said: “Stay still, Uhud for upon you are a Prophet, a siddique and two martyrs.” [Saheeh Bukharee]

Abu Bakr was one of those mentioned in the Qur'aan who “responded to Allah and His Messenger after being injured”. From Saheeh Al-Bukharee: “Aisha reports regarding Allah's statement: “Those who responded to Allah and His Messenger (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) after they had been afflicted with injury - to those who did good and feared Allah among them is a great reward.” [Soorah Aal Imraan (3): 172]

She said: "...Az-Zubair and Abu Bakr - after the Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) was injured at Uhud and the mushrikeen backed off, but it was feared they would return - the Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said: "Who will go after them?" Seven men responded to that and among them were Abu Bakr and Az-Zubair." [Saheeh al-Bukharee]

In addition to telling us that Abu Bakr was the closest person in this world to himself, the Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) bore witness to many of the virtues of Abu Bakr and informed him and us that he is among the people of Paradise.

Once Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) offered the morning prayer and then faced the people and said: “While a man was driving a cow, he rode over it and beat it. The cow said: “We have not been created for this, but we have been created to plough.” On that the people said astonishingly: “Glorified be Allah! A cow speaks!” The Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said: “I believe this, and Abu Bakr and Umar too, believe it, although neither of them was present there.” The Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) added: “While a person was amongst his sheep, a wolf, attacked and took one of the sheep. The man chased the wolf till he rescued it (sheep) from the wolf, whereupon the wolf said: “You have rescued it (the sheep) from me; but who will guard it on the day of the wild beasts when there will be no shepherd to guard them except me?” The people said surprisingly, “Glorified be Allah! A wolf speaks!” The Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said: “But I believe this, Abu Bakr and Umar too, believe this. Although neither of them was present there.” [Saheeh Al-Bukharee v.4, no.677]

Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said: "...Whoever is among the people of prayer will be called (to paradise) from the door of prayer. Whoever is among the people of jihad will be called from the door of jihad. Whoever is among the people of sadaqa will be called from the door of sadaqa. Whoever is among the people of fasting is called from the door of fasting and the door of Ar-Rayaan." Abu Bakr said "...Is anyone called from all of those doors, O Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam)?" He (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said: “Yes, and I hope that you will be among them, Abu Bakr” [Saheeh Bukhari]

Once Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) asked: “Who began this day fasting?” Abu Bakr said: “I did.” The Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said: “Who participated in a funeral procession today?” Abu Bakr said: “I did” Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said: “Who fed a needy person today?” Abu Bakr said: “I did” He (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said: “Who visited a sick person today?” Abu Bakr said: “I did” Then, the Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said: “These things cannot all meet in a single person but that they will enter Paradise.” [Saheeh Muslim]

Abu Bakr (radiallahu anhu) was the quickest of the Companions to rush to any good deed. Umar ibn Khattab said: “Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) ordered us to give sadaqa. It happened to coincide with some wealth I had just acquired and I said to myself: If I will every surpass Abu Bakr, this is the day I will surpass him. And so I came to the Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) with half of my wealth and he (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said to me: "What have you left for your family?" I said: The same amount. Then, Abu Bakr came with all of his wealth. The Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said to him: "What have you left for your family?" He said: “ I have left them Allah and His Messenger.” I said: I will never surpass you in anything.” [Abu Dawood (a hassan hadith)]

Abu Bakr (radiallahu anhu) was the best person after the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam). The Companions were well aware of who were the first few Companions in closeness to the Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) and the Rightly-Guided Khalifas were chosen on that basis.

Ibn Umar (radiallahu anhu) reports: “We used to discuss the best of the people during the time of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) and we saw the best as Abu Bakr (radiallahu anhu), then Umar, then Uthman ibn Affaan (radiallahu anhu)” [Saheeh Al-Bukharee]

Ali ibn Abi Talib (radiallahu anhu) was also very much aware of this and bore witness to it as we see in this narration from his son, which is found in Saheeh Al-Bukharee also: “I said to my father: ‘Who is the best of the people after Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam)?’ He said: “Abu Bakr (radiallahu anhu)”. I said: “And then who?” He said: “And then Umar ibn Al-Khattab (radiallahu anhu).” I was afraid that he would say Uthman (radiallahu anhu) next, so I said: “And then you?” To which he answered: “I am nothing but a man among the Muslims.”

The Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) made no "official" appointment of a successor, but left plenty of signs that Abu Bakr was to succeed him as his Khalifa. A woman came to the Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) and he ordered her to come back later. When she said: “What if I come don't find you? (Indicating his death).” He (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said: "If you don't find me, then go to Abu Bakr.” [Saheeh Bukharee]

Aisha (radiallahu anha) narrates: “Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said to me in his final illness: "Call Abu Bakr and his brother so I can write an official document for I fear that some desirous one may follow his desires and say: I am more appropriate. And Allah and the believers reject all but Abu Bakr." [Saheeh Muslim]

Once, when the Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) was very ill, he (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said: "Get another to lead the prayer." The people found Umar ibn Khattab (radiallahu anhu) and Abu Bakr (radiallahu anhu) was not yet there and they told him to lead the prayer. When the Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) heard Umar's voice leading the prayer, he said: "And where is Abu Bakr? Allah and the Muslims reject this. Allah and the Muslims reject this.” The Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) then sent for Abu Bakr and he led the people in prayer after Umar had already led them in that same prayer. [Abu Dawood (hassan)]

Jundub (radiallahu anhu) narrates: “I heard the Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) five days before his death saying: "I declare my innocence before Allah that I should have any bosom friend among you for Allah Most High has taken me as His friend just as He took Ibrahim as His friend. If I were to take any bosom friend from my nation I would take Abu Bakr.” [Saheeh Muslim]

So, this is the high status of Abu Bakr Siddeeq (radiallahu anhu), we are obliged to respect him and the rest of the Companions of Prophet and refrain from criticizing them in any way, Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said: "Do not slander my Companions, for if one of you were to spend an amount of gold equivalent to the size of Mount 'Uhud, you would not even come halfway up to their level.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaari]