Abu Bakr, the Truthful (part 1 of 3): The First
- Categories: Stories of the Companions -
«If I had taken anyone as my closest
friend I would have taken Abu Bakr, but he is my brother and
companion.» [1] These
are the words of Prophet Muhammad, may God shower him with praises,
and Abu Bakr was his closest earthly companion. Abu Bakr was known
as As Siddeeq (the truthful). The Arabic word
Siddeeq implies more than lack of deceit; it indicates a
person in a constant state of truthfulness. One who recognises the
truth and adheres to it. The word Siddeeq implies truthfulness to
one's self, those around us and most importantly to God. Abu Bakr
was such a man.
Prophet Muhammad showed his great love and respect for Abu Bakr by
associating him with the concept of the "closest friend". In
Arabic, the word used is khaleel and it denotes more than
friendship, rather a heartfelt closeness with an unbreakable
connection. Prophet Abraham was known as the khaleel of
God, and Prophet Muhammad himself reserved this word for his
relationship with God, but his connection with Abu Bakr involved a
special rapport.
Background
The sayings of Prophet Muhammad and the history of Islam tell us
that Abu Bakr was born a little over two years after Prophet
Muhammad, and that both were born into the tribe of Quraish,
although into different clans. Abu Bakr was born into a reasonably
well off family and established himself as a successful trader and
merchant. He was a likeable, approachable man who had a large
social network.
Abu Bakr loved to talk and communicate with all those around him
and was an expert in Arab genealogy. He knew the names and
locations of all the Arab tribes and understood their good and bad
qualities. It was this knowledge that allowed him to mix easily
with many diverse people and command a great deal of influence in
Meccan society.
When Prophet Muhammad married his first wife Khadijah, he and Abu
Bakr became neighbours and found that they shared many of the same
characteristics. Both men were traders, and both conducted their
affairs with honesty and integrity.
Both Prophet Muhammad and Abu Bakr avoided the vice and corruption
that abounded in pre-Islamic Arabia and both avoided idolatry. They
recognised each other as kindred spirits and struck up a lifelong
friendship.
The
First
Abu Bakr As Siddeeq was the first person to heed Prophet Muhammad's
message and enter into Islam. When he heard Prophet Mohammad say
that there was nothing worthy of worship but God and that he
(Muhammad) was the messenger of God, Abu Bakr accepted Islam
without any reservations. For everybody else who comes to Islam or
rekindles lost faith, there is an obstacle, a moment of hesitation,
but not for Abu Bakr. The sweetness of faith entered his heart and
the one known as the truthful, recognised the truth.
In the early days when the message was first revealed, Prophet
Muhammad called the people around him to Islam in secret. Prophet
Muhammad knew that his message would shock and dismay the Meccans
who were deeply entrenched in ignorance. He wanted to build a band
of followers who would slowly deliver the message, spreading out in
ever-increasing circles. When there were 38 Muslims, Abu Bakr went
to his beloved friend Prophet Muhammad and said he wanted to
proclaim the message in public.
Prophet Muhammad refused, thinking the numbers to small to risk
exposure. Abu Bakr insisted and kept mentioning this to his
companion. When Prophet Muhammad was ordered by God to make his
message public, he and Abu Bakr made their way to the Kaaba (the
house of God in the centre of Mecca). Abu Bakr stood up and
proclaimed in a loud voice, "There is none worthy of worship but
God, and Muhammad is his slave and messenger". Abu Bakr was the
first public speaker for Islam.
When Prophet Muhammad died the Muslims were devastated, some even
refused to accept the truth. Their hearts were broken. Although
overwhelmed by grief, Abu Bakr addressed the people, he praised and
glorified God and said, "Whoever
worshipped Muhammad, then Muhammad is dead, but whoever worshipped
God, then God is Ever-living and shall never die." [2] He then recited verses from
Quran.
{(O Muhammad) Verily you will die, and
they also will die.} [Quran 39:30]
{إِنَّكَ مَيِّتٌ وَإِنَّهُم
مَّيِّتُونَ} [الزمر:٣٠]
Transliteration: 'Innaka Mayyitun Wa 'Innahum
Mayyitūna
{Muhammad is no more than a Messenger,
and indeed (many) Messengers have passed away before him. If he
dies or is killed, will you then turn back on your heels (as
disbelievers)? And he who turns back on his heels, not the least
harm will he do to God, and God will give reward to those who are
grateful.} [Quran 3:144]
{وَمَا مُحَمَّدٌ إِلَّا رَسُولٌ قَدْ
خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِ الرُّسُلُ ۚ أَفَإِن مَّاتَ أَوْ قُتِلَ
انقَلَبْتُمْ عَلَىٰ أَعْقَابِكُمْ ۚ وَمَن يَنقَلِبْ عَلَىٰ
عَقِبَيْهِ فَلَن يَضُرَّ اللَّهَ شَيْئًا ۗ وَسَيَجْزِي اللَّهُ
الشَّاكِرِينَ} [آل عمران:١٤٤]
Transliteration: Wa Mā Muĥammadun 'Illā Rasūlun Qad
Khalat Min Qablihi Ar-Rusulu 'Afa'īn Māta 'Aw Qutila Anqalabtum
`Alá 'A`qābikum Wa Man Yanqalib `Alá
`Aqibayhi Falan Yađurra Allāha Shay'āan Wa Sayajzī Allāhu
Ash-Shākirīna
During this great crisis, the devastated Muslims chose Abu Bakr as
their leader. He was the first Caliph (leader of the
Muslims).
Prophet Muhammad's nephew, Ali ibn Abu Talib, praised Abu Bakr as
the first person to enter Islam and the first to perform any good
deeds.[3] In Islam, competing
with one another to do good deeds is not only acceptable but also
encouraged. Prophet Muhammad exhorted his followers to behave
easily in the affairs of this world, but to race with one another
towards everlasting life in Paradise. Muslim historian, At
Tabarani, quotes righteous companion Ibn Abbas as saying, "Abu Bakr.....excelled all the companions of
Prophet Muhammad in piety and righteousness, renunciation of
worldly goods and reliance upon God." From the sayings of
Prophet Muhammad we learn that Abu Bakr will be the first person to
enter Paradise after the Prophets of God.[4] Abu Bakr - the first!
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Footnotes:
[1] Saheeh Al-Bukhari
[2] Saheeh Al-Bukhari
[3] Ali ibn Abu Talib at Abu Bakr's funeral.
[4] Abu Dawood.
By Aisha Stacey
IslamReligion.com