Abu Bakr, the Truthful (part 3 of 3)
Abu Bakr was a man of shrewd judgment. He was able to discern
the truth when others were muddled by the complexities of a
situation. Thus, he found it very easy to see the truth in Islam
but realised that the words of Muhammad would cause a rift in
Meccan society. The leaders of Mecca would not tolerate anything
that put their economic situation or lifestyles in jeopardy. Abu
Bakr knew that difficult times lay ahead and felt it was his duty
to protect his companion, Prophet Muhammad. The two friends saw
each other everyday and their friendship grew stronger as their
understanding of Islam grew and took root in their hearts. For
three years Islam blossomed in secret. The new Muslims spread the
message of Islam through a network of trusted friends and families,
but the time came when God commanded Prophet Muhammad to spread the
message in public.
Abu Bakr understood that life would become difficult as the leaders
of Mecca realised how many people were accepting Islam. He knew
that Prophet Muhammad would require his protection, but over the
months, Abu Bakr also took on the role of protector for many new
Muslims. As more and more people converted to Islam the non-Muslim
leaders of Mecca began a campaign of persecution and abuse designed
to destroy the new faith. Most of the men, women and children from
the tribes of Mecca had the protection of their families, but the
slaves and the poor were particularly vulnerable.
It was the slaves and the destitute that were particularly
attracted to the teachings of Islam. They heard the words of
equality, freedom, and the mercy of the One True God and saw it as
a way to escape the brutality of their existence and find comfort
in the forgiveness and love of God. They learned that all men were
slaves of God and that He offered guidance and protection to all,
not just the elite classes. Abu Bakr was a rich merchant and was
able to ease the suffering of many slaves by buying them from their
masters and setting them free.
Among the slaves set free by Abu Bakr was Bilal[1], the man destined to become the
first man to call the faithful to prayer. Bilal's master would make
him lie on burning sand and have large slabs of rock placed on his
chest, but he refused to give up his new faith. When Abu Bakr heard
of Bilal's condition, he raced to free him. In all, Abu Bakr freed
eight slaves, four men and four women. Although the buying and
freeing slaves was not unknown in Meccan society, it was usually
done for far less altruistic reasons. Once a slave was freed, he
was honour bound to offer his protection to the one who freed him,
and for this reasons the rich Meccans would free slaves that were
physically fit and strong. Abu Bakr feed slaves for the sake of
God, not for himself.
{Those who spend their wealth for
increase in self-purification; And have in their minds no favour
from any one For which a reward is expected in return, But only the
desire to seek the Countenance, Of their Lord, Most High; And soon
they shall attain complete satisfaction.} [Quran
92:18-21]
{الَّذِي يُؤْتِي مَالَهُ يَتَزَكَّىٰ
﴿١٨﴾ وَمَا لِأَحَدٍ عِندَهُ مِن نِّعْمَةٍ
تُجْزَىٰ ﴿١٩﴾ إِلَّا ابْتِغَاءَ وَجْهِ
رَبِّهِ الْأَعْلَىٰ} [الليل:18-٢٠]
Transliteration: Al-Ladhī Yu'utī Mālahu
Yatazakká (18) Wa Mā Li'ĥadin `Indahu Min Ni`matin
Tujzá (19) 'Illā Abtighā'a Wajhi Rabbihi
Al-'A`lá
Protecting his
Companion
One day, when Prophet Muhammad was in the Kaaba (House of God) the
Meccans surrounded him and started taunting and verbally abusing
him, and very quickly it escalated to physical abuse. Someone
informed Abu Bakr that his companion was in need of his assistance,
so he rushed to the Kaaba and pushed into the middle of the fight,
placing himself between Prophet Muhammad and his attackers. He
cried out, "Would you kill a man for
saying that Allah is his Lord". [2] The Meccans were momentarily
stunned, but within seconds they fell upon Abu Bakr and beat him
mercilessly. The beating was so severe that the blood flowed from
his head and clotted his hair.
On another occasion, when the Prophet was praying, one of the
Meccan elites threw a piece of cloth around his neck and began to
strangle him. Although people could see what was happening nobody
was courageous enough to come to Prophet Muhammad's rescue. When
Abu Bakr entered the Kaaba and saw his friend's predicament, he
rushed over and fought off the attacker.
A story that comes from Ali ibn Abu Talib epitomises Abu Bakr's
reputation as a quiet achiever who never put his own needs first
and was devoted to Islam and its messenger, Prophet Muhammad. When
Ali was the leader of the Muslims, many years after the deaths of
both Prophet Muhammad and Abu Bakr, he made a speech in which he
enquired of his audience, "Who is the most courageous man in
Islam?" The audience responded, "You! Ameer Al Mumineen (leader of
the faithful)" Ali had a fierce reputation as a warrior and brave
fighter. He looked at the men seated before him and said, "It is
true I have never faced an opponent and lost, but I am not the most
courageous. That honour belongs to Abu Bakr".
Ali went on to relate that in the Battle of Badr, the first battle
the fledging Muslim nation faced, the Muslims refused to let
Prophet Muhammad be in the front lines and instead built a shelter
for him at the back. The men were asked who would volunteer to
guard the Prophet, but none would step forward except Abu Bakr.
Prophet Muhammad stayed in the shelter for sometime, praying for
the success of his small nation, and Abu Bakr could be seen walking
back and forth, his sword unsheathed, ready to repel any threat to
his beloved companion.
Later in the battle, Prophet Muhammad led the centre battalion and
Abu Bakr the right flank. They were friends united in all
circumstances, in times of ease or hardship. Abu Bakr is an example
of a courageous man prepared to use his wealth, abilities and
strength in the service of Islam and ready to give up his life for
the sake of God or to protect God's messenger.
Words of
Praise
Ali ibn Abu Talib also gave Abu Bakr's funeral oration. The
following passages are just a small sample of his words of praise
for Prophet Muhammad's closest companion.
"You supported him when others had deserted him, and you remained
firm in helping him in misfortunes when others had withdrawn their
support.
"You had the lowest voice but the highest distinction. Your
conversation was most exemplary and your reasoning most just; your
silence was longest in duration, and your speech was most eloquent.
Bravest among men, and well-informed about matters, your action was
dignified." Thus was Abu Bakr, the protector.
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Footnotes:
[1] Saheeh Al-Bukhari
[2] Saheeh Al-Bukhari
By Aisha Stacey
IslamReligion.com
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