Outline
- Introduction
- Abu Bakr’s Narration of Hadith
- Abu Bakr’s Family
- Abu Bakr’s Legacy
- Abu Bakr’s Virtues
- Abu Bakr in the Prophet's Final Day on This Earth
- Abu Bakr on the Day of the Prophet’s Passing
- Abu Bakr’s Passing
- 15 Facts About Abu Bakr
- The Takeaway…
Introduction
In the first part of Sayyidunā Abu Bakr’s episode from The Shining Stars Series, we learnt about the dream he had while in Syria which served as the secret of Sayyidunā Abu Bakr’s doubtless faith. We also covered his background, how he accpeted Islam, how he used his contact to successfully invite influential figures to Islam.
We also highlighted the relationship between the Prophet and Sayyidunā Abu Bakr. We concluded at Sayyidunā Abu Bakr’s sacrifices for Islam that led to the recognition he attained from Allah in Surah al-Layl.
We also discussed shed light on Sayyidunā Abū Bakr’s narration of hadīth.
Today’s article is Part 2 of Sayyidunā Abu Bakar, our Shining Star of this episode of The Shining Stars Series. One of the first five to accept Islam in the first week of Islam. He was the closest friend of the Prophet. In this article, we start with Sayyidunā Abū Bakr’s virtues.
Abu Bakr’s Virtues
Sayyidunā Abu Bakr is one of the companions of the Prophet with more virtues than any of the Companions. Honestly, there are a lot. Here are seven of them.
#1: He was the Most Appreciated by the Prophet
Imām al-Bukhārī reports from the narration of Sayyidunā Abū Sa‘īd al-Khudrī raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhu. He said:
خَطَبَ رَسولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ، النَّاسَ وقَالَ: إنَّ اللَّهَ خَيَّرَ عَبْدًا بيْنَ الدُّنْيَا وبيْنَ ما عِنْدَهُ، فَاخْتَارَ ذلكَ العَبْدُ ما عِنْدَ اللَّهِ، قَالَ: فَبَكَى أبو بَكْرٍ، فَعَجِبْنَا لِبُكَائِهِ: أنْ يُخْبِرَ رَسولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ عن عَبْدٍ خُيِّرَ، فَكانَ رَسولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ هو الـمُخَيَّرَ، وكانَ أبو بَكْرٍ أعْلَمَنَا. فَقَالَ رَسولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ: إنَّ مِن أمَنِّ النَّاسِ عَلَيَّ في صُحْبَتِهِ ومَالِهِ أبَا بَكْرٍ، ولو كُنْتُ مُتَّخِذًا خَلِيلًا غيرَ رَبِّي لَاتَّخَذْتُ أبَا بَكْرٍ، ولَكِنْ أُخُوَّةُ الإسْلَامِ ومَوَدَّتُهُ، لا يَبْقَيَنَّ في الـمَسْجِدِ بَابٌ إلَّا سُدَّ إلَّا بَابَ أبِي بَكْرٍ.ـ
“The Prophet delivered a sermon and said, “Allah gave a choice to one of (His) slaves either to choose this world or what is with Him in the Hereafter. He chose the latter.” Abu Bakr wept. We were wondering; “Why is Abu Bakr weeping, if Allah gave choice to one (of His) slaves either to choose this world or what is with Him in the Hereafter and he chose the latter?” And that slave was the Prophet himself. Abu Bakr knew more than we did. The Prophet said, “ Abu Bakr has favoured me much with his wealth and company. If I were to take a Khalil from mankind I would certainly have taken Abu Bakr but the Islamic brotherhood and friendship are sufficient. Close all the gates in the mosque except that of Abu Bakr.”
#2: He Was One of 10 Given Glad News of Paradise in One Hadīth
Imām al-Tirmidhī reports from the narration of Sayyidunā ‘Abd al-Raḥmān ibn ‘Awf, the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam once said:
أَبُو بَكْرٍ فِي الْجَنَّةِ، وَعُمَرُ فِي الْجَنَّةِ، وَعُثْمَانُ فِي الْجَنَّةِ، وَعَلِيٌّ فِي الْجَنَّةِ، وَطَلْحَةُ فِي الْجَنَّةِ، وَالزُّبَيْرُ فِي الْجَنَّةِ، وَعَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ عَوْفٍ فِي الْجَنَّةِ، وَسَعْدٌ فِي الْجَنَّةِ، وَسَعِيدٌ فِي الْجَنَّةِ، وَأَبُو عُبَيْدَةَ بْنُ الْجَرَّاحِ فِي الْجَنَّةِ.ـ
Abu Bakr is in Paradise, ‘Umar is in Paradise, ‘Uthmān is in Paradise, ‘Ali is in Paradise, Ṭalḥah is in Paradise, Al-Zubayr is in Paradise, ‘Abd al-Raḥmān ibn ‘Awf is in Paradise, Sa’d bin Abī Waqqāṣ is in Paradise, Sa’īd is in Paradise, and Abu ‘Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah is in Paradise.”
#3: He Shall Be Called to Enter Paradise Through the Gate of His Choice
In a ḥadīth reported by Imām al-Bukhārī and Muslim, Sayyidunā Abū Hurayrah raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhu says he heard the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam saying:
مَنْ أَنْفَقَ زَوْجَيْنِ مِنْ شَيْءٍ مِنَ الأَشْيَاءِ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ دُعِيَ مِنْ أَبْوَابِ الجَنَّةِ: يَا عَبْدَ اللَّهِ، هَذَا خَيْرٌ؛ فَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الصَّلاةِ دُعِيَ مِنْ بَابِ الصَّلاةِ، وَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الجِهَادِ دُعِيَ مِنْ بَابِ الجِهَادِ، وَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الصَّدَقَةِ دُعِيَ مِنْ بَابِ الصَّدَقَةِ.. ..وَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الصِّيَامِ دُعِيَ مِنْ بَابِ الصِّيَامِ وَبَابِ الرَّيَّانِ. فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرِ: مَا عَلَى هَذَا الَّذِي يُدْعَى مِنْ تِلْكَ الأَبْوَابِ مِنْ ضَرُورَةٍ، فَهَلْ يُدْعَى مِنْهَا كُلِّهَا أَحَدٌ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ؟ قَالَ: نَعَمْ. وَأَرْجُو أَنْ تَكُونَ مِنْهُمْ يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ .ـ
“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 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 and the gate of al-Rayyān.” Abū 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?” He said, “Yes, and I hope you will be among those, O Abu Bakr.”
#4: He Once Combined a Few Factors Which Qualify Anyone for Paradise
Imām Muslim reports from the narration of Sayyidunā Abū Hurayrah raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhu, that the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam once asked his companions,
“Who is fasting today?” “Who attended a funeral today?” “Who fed a poor person today?” “Who visited a sick person today?”. And for all these questions, Sayyidunā Abū Bakr was the one who responded with “Yes.” Then the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said:
مَا اجْتَمَعْنَ فِي امْرِىءٍ إِلا دَخَلَ الجَنَّةَ.ـ
“Anyone in whom (these good deeds) are combined will certainly enter Paradise.”
#5: The Prophet Recognised Him as a Humble Person
In a ḥadīth reported by Imām al-Bukhārī from the narration of Sayyidunā ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhumā, the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam once said:
مَنْ جَرَّ ثَوْبَهُ خُيَلاءَ لَمْ يَنْظُرِ اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِ يَوْمَ القِيَامَةِ. فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ: إِنَّ إِزَارِي يَسْتَرْخِي إِلَى أَنْ أَتَعَاهَدَهُ، فَقَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: إِنَّكَ لَسْتَ مِمَّنْ يَفْعَلُهُ خُيَلاءَ.ـ
“Whoever allows his lower garment to drag out of vanity will find that Allah will not look at him on the Day of Resurrection.” On this Abū Bakr said: “O Messenger of Allah! My lower garment keeps sliding down until I take care to pull it and wrap it.” The Prophet then said, “You are not of those who do it out of vanity.”
#6: Allah Recognized as Pious and a Person of Purity
In Sūrah al-Zumar Allah recognizes Sayyidanā Abā Bakr together with the Prophet as being people of piety…
وَٱلَّذِى جَآءَ بِٱلصِّدْقِ وَصَدَّقَ بِهِۦٓ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُتَّقُونَ ﴿٣٣﴾ـ
“He who brings the truth, and he who testifies to it as such — those are surely the people who are God-fearing” (Sūrah al-Zumar, 39:33).
#7: Allah Softens the Heart of Sayyidunā Abū Bakr
When Sayyidah ‘Āishah was falsely accused of adultery, it so happened that one of those who spearheaded the rumours was among those whom Sayyidunā Abū Bakr used to feed. When Abu Bakr knew about him, he vowed not to help him anymore. There and then a revelation came down….
وَلَا يَأْتَلِ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْفَضْلِ مِنكُمْ وَٱلسَّعَةِ أَن يُؤْتُوٓا۟ أُو۟لِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَـٰكِينَ وَٱلْمُهَـٰجِرِينَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّـهِ ۖ وَلْيَعْفُوا۟ وَلْيَصْفَحُوٓا۟ ۗ أَلَا تُحِبُّونَ أَن يَغْفِرَ ٱللَّـهُ لَكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّـهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿٢٢﴾ـ
“Let those who are possessed of means and plenty among you not resolve to withhold their bounty from their kindred and the needy and those who have migrated from their homes in the cause of Allah. Let them forgive and overlook. Do you not wish Allah to forgive you? Allah is Most Forgiving and Most Merciful” (Sūrah al-Nūr, 24:22).
Upon hearing that, Sayyidunā Abū Bakr said:
Yes, my Lord.. Yes, my Lord… I want to be forgiven…
Abu Bakr on the Prophet's Final Day on This Earth
When the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam was sick in his final days, he instructed Sayyidunā Abū Bakr to lead the companions in Prayers. Among others, this was a clear indication that Sayyidunā Abū Bakr was the Prophet’s preference to succeed him after his passing.
Abu Bakr on the Day of the Prophet’s Passing
When the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam passed on, the believers couldn’t believe it. They knew that death will befall the Prophet one day. But the affection they developed for him prevented them from being ready to accept the truth.
A strong and reasonable person like Sayyidunā ‘Umar lost his reason. He even threatened to kill anyone who vows that the Prophet had passed on. This continued until Sayyidunā Abu Bakr went up the mimber and delivered the speech that saved the Ummah forever.
He reminded everyone, that “whoever was worshiping Muhammad should note that Muhammad has died, and that whoever worshiped Allah, then Allah is Ever-Lasting who does not die.”
He further cited from Sūrah āl-‘Imrān:
وَمَا مُحَمَّدٌ إِلَّا رَسُولٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِ ٱلرُّسُلُ ۚ أَفَإِي۟ن مَّاتَ أَوْ قُتِلَ ٱنقَلَبْتُمْ عَلَىٰٓ أَعْقَـٰبِكُمْ ۚ وَمَن يَنقَلِبْ عَلَىٰ عَقِبَيْهِ فَلَن يَضُرَّ ٱللَّـهَ شَيْـًٔا ۗ وَسَيَجْزِى ٱللَّـهُ ٱلشَّـٰكِرِينَ ﴿١٤٤﴾ـ
“Muhammad is only a messenger. Messengers have passed away before him. If he should die, or be killed, will you turn back on your heels? Those who turn on their heels do not harm Allah in the least. Allah will reward the grateful” (Sūrah āl-‘Imrān, 3:144).
Abu Bakr’s Passing
As the Caliph, Sayyidunā Abu Bakr Bakr felt it when his time neared. So he nominated Sayyidunā ‘Umar to be his only successor. It was up to the companions to choose whomever they wanted to succeed him, but they couldn’t find better than Sayyidunā ‘Umar.
Sayyidunā Abu Bakr raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhu passed on approximately three years after the Prophet’s passing. That was 13 years after hijrah. At the age of 63 years.
15 Facts About Abu Bakr
Here are 15 things you may want to remember about Sayyidunā Abu Bakr al-Ṣiddīq, raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhu:
- Sayyidunā Abū Bakr’s real name was ‘Abdullāh, after it used to be ‘Abd al-Ka’bah. Sayyidunā Abu Bakr is the Ṣiddīq of the Ummah
- Sayyidunā Abū Bakr was known as al-Ṣiddīq before Islam. And Islam endorsed him for being al-Ṣiddīq.
- Sayyidunā Abū Bakr took it upon himself to learn about the awaited Prophet before Muhammad was formally sent as a Prophet.
- Sayyidunā Abū Bakr was among the first five to Accept Islam.
- Sayyidunā Abū Bakr succeeded in inviting some of the most influential companions to Islam most.
- Sayyidunā Abu Bakr freed 20 Muslim slaves who were tortured for being Muslims.
- Sayyidunā Abū Bakr was the only one honoured with the company of the Propeht in Hijrah
- Sayyidunā Abū Bakr was one of the 10 given glad tidings of Paradise in one hadīth, seven of them were invited by Him.
- Sayyidunā Abū Bakr was giving glad tidings of Paradise multiple times.
- Sayyidunā Abū Bakr was one of the most beloved people to the Prophet.
- Sayyidunā Abū Bakr once gave his entire wealth in charity. The one and only of his time. Perhaps, the one and only of all time, as well.
- Sayyidunā Abū Bakr was appointed to lead prayers in the presence of the Prophet.
- Sayyidunā Abū Bakr stood firm and united the Ummah after Prophet’s passing.
- Sayyidunā Abū Bakr was the fist caliph after the Prophet.
- Sayyidunā Abū Bakr was the first to compile the Qur’an.
The Takeaway…
Some companions were given glad tidings about their place in Paradise once. But Sayyidunā Abu Bakr was given such glad tidings on multiple occasions, for different reasons.
Everyone is naturally gifted with some talents. The wise discovers his and makes use it or them to his advantage, for the good of his worldly gains, as well as his Hereafter. Sayyidunā Abū Bakr did just that, but with excellence!
He was among the few learned ones of his time in his community. And used that knowledge to research about the truth and followed the truth wholeheartedly when he arrived to it.
He was able to achieve that by the will of Allah. No doubt. But that effort which he put in, and the initiative he took to research and learn about the awaited Prophet had prepared him physically, psychologically and financially for Islam. And these are enough to made a difference in anyone, who hopes to meet Allah one fine day.
Abu Bakr stood by the Prophet from the moment he embraced Islam until the Prophet took his last breath on this earth.
Even in his moments of pain and injury, his concern and fears were more about the Prophet.
Although the Prophet is no longer. And thus, revelation no longer descend. But if you follow in the footsteps of Sayyidunā Abū Bakr, you’ll be a truthful (al-Siddiq) in the sight of Allah.
When you can’t think of a solution, or possibilities, take some time out, research and study, and be ready to change. With that, you reach to the truth with an informed mind and pure heart. And you have Sayyidunā Abū Bakr to look up to, for inspirations and clarity.
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Until we meet in our episode to take another glimpse of another shining star, I leave you in Allah’s protection.
Allah knows best.
Allahu Hafiz 🙂
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