(cid:3)(cid:2) (cid:13)(cid:14)(cid:7) (cid:15)(cid:16)(cid:11)(cid:12) (cid:17)(cid:2) (cid:19)(cid:18) (cid:20)(cid:14)(cid:4) (cid:15)(cid:16)(cid:11)(cid:12) (cid:8)(cid:7)(cid:9)(cid:10)(cid:11)(cid:12) (cid:3)(cid:2) (cid:5)(cid:4) (cid:6)(cid:2) In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Ever Merciful Hadhrat Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (ra) The Great Lover of Allah (s.w.t) by Adam Hani Walker, UK CCCCoooonnnntttteeeennnnttttssss Chapter Page 1. Introduction 3 2. Family 5 3. Early Life & Acceptance of Islam 7 4. Companion of the Holy Prophet (saw) 10 5. A Man of Knowledge & Wisdom 16 6. Demise of the Holy Prophet (saw) 21 7. Appointment as Khalifatul Rasul 23 8. The Great Leader 27 9. Demise 33 10. Concluding Remarks 35 Appendices 38 Bibliography 39 2 1. Introduction In a hadith the Holy Prophet (saw) is reported to have said1: ‘Love of Abu Bakr (ra) and gratitude to him are a duty on everyone of my Ummah’ This article is thus written in a spirit of love and gratitude for the marvelous character, example, and achievements of Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra). The name Abu Bakr (ra) was one of many Arabic titles (kunya) given to Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra) but his actual name was Abdullah ibn Abi Quhafa Uthman ibn Amir ibn Amr ibn Ka’b ibn Sa’d ibn Taym ibn Murrah ibn Ka’b ibn Lu’ayy ibn Ghalib al-Qureshi at- Taymi. His other titles are numerous and offer us a deep insight into his character as perceived by those around him and indeed Almighty Allah as will be shown. The first of his titles is Ateeq which literally means noble or to be freed from some unfortunate outcome or circumstance. There are countless reasons put forward for him being named as such with the most compelling relating to a hadith in which the Holy Prophet (saw) said, ‘Abu Bakr you are the one whom Allah has freed ((cid:21)(cid:13)(cid:22)(cid:23)) from the hell fire’2. He was also known as As-Siddiq which comes from the root truthfulness ((cid:24)(cid:25)(cid:26)) and literally means that a person is in a constant state of truthfulness. It has been related in Al-Bukhari that the Holy Prophet (saw) once climbed with Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra), Hadhrat Umar(ra) and Hadhrat Uthman(ra) to the top of Mount Uhud upon which he said3, ‘Be firm, O Uhud, for upon your are a Prophet, a Siddiq (Hadhrat Abu Bakr ) and two martyrs (Hadhrat Umar and Hadhrat Uthman)’. In relation to this the Promised Messiah(as) writes in Arabic4, 1 Al-Sayuti, The History of the Khalifas, Pg.47 2 IBID. Pg.14; Also At-Tirmithee in Al-Manaaqib 3679. 3 Sahih Al-Bukhari Vol.5. Ch.57, No.24. 4 Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. Sirrul Khilafah. Pg.8-9; also see Tadhkirah. Pg.317. 3 ‘My Lord has made it clear to me that the Siddique(Abu Bakr (ra)) and Farooq (Umar) and Uthman were of the righteousand the faithful and were of those who were chosen by Allah and were bestowed in particular with the bounties of the Gracious One. I have been informed that they were of the righteous and he who hurts them, hurts Allah and is a transgressor.’ In further expounding the deep meaning of As-Siddiq the Promised Messiah (as) delves into his vast ocean of knowledge and, as was his habit, presents us with a glowing pearl of wisdom. He writes that hood after Hadhrat Muhammad (saw) is only attainable through the complete and absolute losing of oneself in the love of the Holy Prophet (saw). The Promised Messiah (as) writes5, ‘…all the doors leading to Prophet hood have been closed except the door of Sirat-e-Siddiqi, i.e., losing oneself in the Holy Prophet.’ There were several other titles attributed to Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra) but none more esteemed than the title As-Sahib (the companion) which was most magnificently assigned to him by Almighty Allah (s.w.t). It is said that when taking shelter in the cave of Thaur (Ghar Thaur) Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra) began to weep upon which the Holy Prophet (saw) asked him why he was weeping. Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra) replied6”, ‘I do not weep for my life, O Prophet of God, because if I die it is only the question of a single life. But if you die it will be the death of Islam and of the entire Muslim Community’. It was here that Almighty Allah (s.w.t) revealed a comforting verse, to remove the fears of Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra), in which He gave him the title As-Sahib7, …and he said to his companion, be not sad, surely Allah is with us To merit such a unique title, and be so closely associated with Hadhrat Khatam-An- Nabiyyeen (saw), indicates that Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra) was par excellence in the way he conducted himself. This was exemplified in his acceptance of Islam when he did not hasten for the fraction of a second to believe the Holy Prophet (saw) and offer his bay’ah at the hand of Hadhrat Khatam-An-Nabiyeen (saw). Regarding his acceptance the Holy Prophet (saw) addressed the companions and said8, 5 Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. A Misunderstanding Removed. Pg.4. 6 Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II, Tafsir Al-Kabir, Pg.387, Ft.1186. 7 The Holy Qur’an, Ch.9 Vs.40 8 Sahih Al-Bukhari. No.3661. 4 ‘Verily, when Allah (s.w.t) sent me to you, you said, “You are lying’, meanwhile Abu Bakr said, ‘He has spoken the truth”. He then consoled me by sacrificing his life and his wealth.’ 2. Family Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra) came from a prominent family of good standing and his father was called Uthman ibn Aamar ibn Amr(ra) (also known by the title Abu Quhafa) and his mother was called Salma bint Sakhr ibn Amr ibn Ka’ab ibn Sa’ad ibn Teem(ra) (also known by the title Umm-ul-Khair). Whilst his mother accepted Islam in the early days before Hijra, his father did not accept until the day that Islam liberated Makkah Al- Mukarrama from the hands of the tyrannical pagans. Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra) was blessed with four wives who bore six children between them. His wives were Hadhrat Qateela (ra), Hadhrat Umm Rooman (ra), Hadhrat Asma (ra) and Hadhrat Habeebah (ra). His blessed children were Hadhrat Abdur-Rahman (ra), Hadhrat Abdullah (ra), Hadhrat Muhammad (ra), Hadhrat Asma (ra), Hadhrat Aisha (ra) and Hadhrat Umm Kalthoom (ra) who was born shortly after he passed away. It is beyond the remit of this article to detail the lives of each of his children as their contributions to Islam were immense. In short they were blessed believers who contributed heavily towards the success and development of traditional Islamic thought and rule. As a note of interest, the family of Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra) was one of the very few families that were blessed with four generations which are classed as companions of the Holy Prophet (saw). Delving deeply into the lineage of Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra) leads one to realise the rich Prophetic tree from which he grew. He was in fact related to Hadhrat Muhammad(saw) through Hadhrat Tamim (his fourth generation grandfather), who was the brother of Hadhrat Kilab (the fifth generation grandfather of the Holy Prophet (saw)) who were the sons of Hadhrat Morah from the family tree of Hadhrat Adnan as shown the diagram9, 9 Taken from Ahmad Rateb Armoush. The Political and Military Leadership of the Prophet (saw) Muhammad. Pg.40; Original source Hamidullah. Majmu’at al-Watha’eq. Pg.257. 5 The great historian Ibn Hishaam goes even further listing the blessed lineage of Hadhrat Adnan all the way to Hadhrat Adam (as). The list is as follows10, ‘Adnan ibn Udd [also known as Udad] ibn Muqawwim ibn Nahur ibn Tayrah ibn Ya’rub ibn Yashjub ibn Nabit ibn (Prophet ) Isma’il ibn (Prophet ) Ibrahim [the intimate friend of Allah] ibn Tarih [also known as Azar] ibn Nahur ibn Sarugh ibn Ra’u ibn Falakh ibn Aybar ibn Shalakh ibn Arfakhshadh ibn Sam ibn (Prophet ) Nuh ibn Lamk ibn Muttushalakh ibn Akhnukh [who was said to be Prophet Idris] ibn Yard Mahlayl ibn Qaynan ibn Yanish ibn Shith ibn Adam(as).’ This was indeed a lineage of great blessings and miracles including no less than six Prophets (Hadhrat Muhammad, Hadhrat Isma’il, Hadhrat Ibrahim, Hadhrat Nuh, Hadhrat Idris and Hadhrat Adam, may Allah be pleased with them all). 10 Ibn Hishaam. Pg.3. 6 3. Early Life & Acceptance of Islam Not much is known about the life of Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra) prior to his accepting Islam. Scholars have estimated that he was born in Makkah roughly two and a half years after the birth of the Holy Prophet (saw) in 572AD. He spent most of his youth in Makkah learning how to become a successful merchant and as the years passed he would often leave Makkah with various caravans on trade expeditions in other countries. His business activities proved to be very successful and he soon established himself as a wealthy merchant. It is also known that from a young age Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra) lived the life of a Bedouin and came to be known as someone with a keen interest in camels of which he owned many. He was a just and equitable man quickly gaining a reputation for being trustworthy and honourable, so much so that he was entrusted by many tribes with blood money and other items of value. His character was so pure that Hadhrat Ma’aruf ibn Kharrabudh (ra) has remarked in one report that Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra) was one of only ten men who united11, ‘pre-eminence in Jahiliyyah and Islam’. It is a natural sign of the truth of Islam that following its advent people were delivered from darkness into spiritual illumination, however, Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra) was an extraordinary individual because unlike most pre-Islamic Arabs he lived a pure and honest life in the period of ignorance (jahiliyya). It is easy to understand why he was such an honest person because during his youth he kept the very best of company being a friend of the Holy Prophet (saw). Regarding Hadhrat Abu Bakr’s friendship with the Holy Prophet (saw) before the advent of Islam Al-Zamakhshari writes12, ‘Abu Bakr’s (ra) name will be juxtaposed alongside that of the Messenger of Allah (saw) until the end of time. When he was young Abu Bakr (ra) was a close friend of the Prophet (saw); and when he grew older he spent his wealth on him…’ In addition to his extraordinary qualities he was also exceptional in his actions as was exemplified by the fact that he was one of the few blessed companions who protected themselves from alcohol before the advent of Islam. In a gathering of the companions Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra) was questioned about whether or not he drank wine before entering the fold of Islam to which he admonished the questioner by saying13, ‘I seek refuge in Allah (s.w.t) …I tried to protect my honour and my manliness for whoever drinks wine will loose his honour and his manliness’. On this incident being related to the Holy Prophet (saw) he replied, ‘Abu Bakr (ra) has told the truth, Abu Bakr (ra) has told the truth’. Regarding his acceptance of Islam, some scholars document Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra) as the first grown man to accept Islam with Hadhrat Ali(ra) being the first child and 11 Al-Sayuti. Pg.16. 12 Mohammad As-Sallaabee. Pg.108. 13 IBID Pg.17. 7 Hadhrat Khadija (ra) the first lady. Imam Al-Sayuti supports the view that Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra) was the first man to accept Islam citing in evidence the following couplets of the great poet of the Holy Prophet (saw), Hadhrat Hasaan ibn Thaabit (ra), as related by Hadhrat Ash-Sha’bi (ra)14, ‘When you recall the distress of a trusted brother, then remember your brother Abu Bakr (ra) for what he did. The best of creation, most fearfully obedient to them, and the most just, except for the Prophet,(saw) and most certain to fulfil what he has undertaken, The second, the follower whose assembly is praised, and the first of those men who affirmed the messenger.’ It is the view of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II (ra)15 that upon Hadhrat Abu Bakr’s (ra) return to Makkah he began to hear stories about how the Holy Prophet (saw) had turned mad, announcing to people that angels were delivering him messages from God. Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra) was a close friend of the Holy Prophet (saw) and knew that if he had actually made such claims they would most certainly be true, such was the absolute trust he placed in the Holy Prophet (saw). Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra) proceeded to the home of the Holy Prophet (saw) and upon entering asked the Holy Prophet (saw) about what had taken place. So as to avoid any misunderstanding of what he was saying the Holy Prophet (saw) began to offer him a long explanation of what had happened but Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra) stopped him and said that he wanted no explanation but only to know if an Angel had conveyed messages from God to him? Once again the Holy Prophet (saw) tried to offer a lengthy explanation but Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra) again said that he had no need for such an explanation but only to know if God had communicated with him? The Holy Prophet (saw) answered him in the affirmative and Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra) accepted the claims of the Holy Prophet (saw) without hesitation and affirmed his status as a Muslim ((cid:27)(cid:28)(cid:12) (cid:29)(cid:12)). Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra) went on to say that had the Holy Prophet (saw) offered a lengthy explanation to be followed by debate then this would have detracted from the sincerity and value of his faith and acceptance. On reading this, who, from all of Allah’s creation, would dare to question the sincerity or pure righteousness of Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra) ’the trusted one’. This alone should be enough to make clear that the status of Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra) was amongst those who had the highest levels of Taqwa (righteousness). His acceptance was indeed the most spectacular of all the companions because it was based on complete belief and required no qualification. Surely this unique 14 Al-Sayuti. Pg.18. 15 Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II. Introduction to the study of the Holy Qur’an. Pg.144-45. 8 action of trust safeguards Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra) as being counted amongst those referred to in the following verse16, And who is better in faith than he who submits himself entirely to Allah, and he is a doer of good and follows the religion of Abraham, the upright? And Allah took Abraham for a special friend. This verse mentions the term ‘Special Friend’ ((cid:30)(cid:13)(cid:10)(cid:31)) which is taken from the Arabic Khula (meaning intimate friendship) which more precisely refers to a type of17, ‘friendship or affection which penetrates the heart and takes root in it’ making a Khalil someone who is18, ‘a special and particular friend who penetrates the inner parts’. Hadhrat Ibn Arabi (ra) has illuminated the meaning of the word Khalil in his chapter describing Hadhrat Ibrahim (as) in his deeply insightful book Fusus al-Hikam19, ‘Abraham was called the intimate [khalil] [of God] because he had embraced [takhallala] and penetrated all the attributes of the Divine Essence. The poet says, I have penetrated the course of the spirit within me, And thus was the Intimate [of God] so called. In the same way, colour permeates that which is collared, providing [it be understood] that the accident in relation to its substance is not as the thing and the space it occupies; or Abraham was so called because the reality permeates his form.’ In a famous hadith the Holy Prophet (saw) expresses his deep love for Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra) by both connecting the concept of a Khalil with the unshakeable trust and submission shown by Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra) when he accepted Islam20. Here I refer to an instance in which Hadhrat Abu Darda was sitting with the Holy Prophet (saw) when Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra) approached the Holy Prophet (saw) and said, ‘There was something between me and Umar (ra) ibn al-Khattab and I was hasty with him, then later I regretted and asked him to forgive me, but he refused. So I have come to you’. The Holy Prophet (saw) then repeated three times to Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra), ‘You are forgiven.’ Meanwhile Hadhrat Umar (ra) was searching for Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra) to resolve the situation but could not find him, he then visited the Holy Prophet (saw). When he 16 The Holy Qur’an. 4:126. 17 Khalifatul Masih II. Tafsir Al-Kabir. Ft.261; Original source Aqrab & Lane. 18 IBID Ft.591. 19 Ibn Arabi. The Bezels of Wisdom. pp.91-92 20 Al-Sayuti. Pg.41-42; Also see Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol.5, Bk.57, No.13. 9 reached there the Holy Prophet’s face became flushed, so much so that Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra) dropped to his knees in fear repeating twice to the Holy Prophet (saw), ‘Messenger of Allah, by Allah, I was more wrong than him (Umar (ra))’. On hearing this the Holy Prophet (saw) rebuked Hadhrat Umar (ra) by saying, ‘Truly Allah sent me to you and you said, ‘’You Lie,’’ and Abu Bakr (ra) said ‘’You have told the truth,’’ and he shared himself and his wealth with me. Will you leave me my companion, will you leave me my companion’. In another narration of the same events the son of Hadhrat Umar (ra) says that the Holy Prophet (saw) concluded by saying21, ‘Do not cause me hurt in my companion, for Allah sent me with guidance and the life-transaction of truth. You said, “You lie!’’ and Abu Bakr (ra) said, “You have told the truth.’’ If it was not that Allah named him a companion I would have taken him as an intimate friend ((cid:30)(cid:13)(cid:10)(cid:31)). But there is the brotherhood of Islam’. These precious words are a true and manifest example of the closeness and love of the Holy Prophet (saw) for Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra). Further reiterating this Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II (ra) relates another hadith in which the Holy Prophet (saw) said22, ‘If I had taken anyone as my Khalil I would have taken Abu Bakr as such, but my Khalil is God’. 4. Companion of the Holy Prophet (saw) From the day that Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra) is said to have uttered the blessed Shahada (affirmation of the unity of Allah and of Muhammad being a Messenger of Allah) he did not leave the side of the Holy Prophet (saw) but with his express permission for special circumstances such as Hajj and to take part in battles. It has been reported23 that in gatherings the companions would always surround the Holy Prophet (saw) and listen to him with such enthusiasm and intensity that their circle would resemble a solid wall; however, a place by the side of the Holy Prophet (saw) would always be left for his trusty companion Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra) and when he would join the group the Holy Prophet (saw) would address the entire group but face Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra). As has already been touched upon that Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra) was blessed with the opportunity to accompany the Holy Prophet (saw) during Hijra (migration from Makkah to Madinah) and seek refuge from the Quraish in the Cave of Thaur (Ghaar Thaur). It is important to be fully aware of the magnitude of this blessing and know that Allah chose the greatest from among the companions to accompany His beloved Prophet (saw). Reminiscing upon the glorious miracles and the fond memories of those three nights spent in Ghaar Thaur, the Holy Prophet (saw) asked the greatest of the poets among the companions, Hasaan ibn Thabit, if his dazzling pen had recorded anything about Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra) during those nights. Hadhrat Hasaan ibn Thabit responded in the affirmative and recited24, 21 IBID. Pg.42; Also See Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol.5, Ch.57, No.6. 22 Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II. Tafsir Al-Kabir. Ft.261 23 Al-Sayuti. Pg.47. 24 IBID. Pg.34. 10