Abu Bakr Allah Be Pleased with Him

By Dr. Muddassir Khan

This is an inspiring biography based on the teachings of Ibn Katheer, At-Tabari, As-Suyuti, Dr. Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi, and other Scholars (Allah have mercy on them).

To this day, the biographies of the four rightly Caliphs are among the most important sources of authentic Islamic knowledge. The foundations of Islamic knowledge are undoubtedly the Quran and the Sunnah. Next comes the lives of the rightly guided Caliphs - Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali (Allah be pleased with them).

Particularly in the troubled times that we live in, there is an urgent need for Muslims to learn about the virtues and noble qualities of the Prophet's Companions and the impact the Prophet's (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) direct teaching methods had on their lives.

Without a doubt, the most important figure in Islam is the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), whose every action and every saying gives Muslims an important lesson. Next in importance is Abu Bakr (Allah be pleased with him), who, due to his lifelong friendship with the Prophet, developed noble qualities that all Muslims should imitate.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dr. Muddassir Khan
• Release date: Apr 5, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005945398

Book preview

Preface

All praise is due to Allah. We praise Him, seek His assistance and forgiveness and we seek refuge with Him from the evil of our souls and our misdeeds.

I testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah alone. He has no partner. I also testify that Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is His slave and Messenger.

This is an inspiring biography based on the teachings of Ibn Katheer, At-Tabari, As-Suyuti, Dr. Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi, and other Scholars (Allah have mercy on them).

To this day, the biographies of the four rightly Caliphs are among the most important sources of authentic Islamic knowledge. The foundations of Islamic knowledge are undoubtedly the Quran and the Sunnah. Next comes the lives of the rightly guided Caliphs - Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali (Allah be pleased with them).

Particularly in the troubled times that we live in, there is an urgent need for Muslims to learn about the virtues and noble qualities of the Prophet's Companions and the impact the Prophet's (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) direct teaching methods had on their lives.

Without a doubt, the most important figure in Islam is the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), whose every action and every saying gives Muslims an important lesson. Next in importance is Abu Bakr (Allah be pleased with him), who, due to his lifelong friendship with the Prophet, developed noble qualities that all Muslims should imitate.

Note:

A Muslim is encouraged to utter certain phrases at the mention of Allah, the Prophet, other Prophets, the angels, the companions of the Prophet, and righteous Muslims. Please say these phrases whenever you come across them in the book.

Allah: Say "Subhaanahuu wa ta’aalaa" which means ‘Glorified and Exalted is He.’

Prophet Muhammad: Say, "Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa salam" which means, ‘May the peace and blessing of Allah be on him.’ Say this phrase always when you hear the beloved name of the Prophet or at any place where the Prophet is mentioned.

Other Prophets or an Angel: Say, "Alayhis Salaam" which means, ‘Peace be on him.’

A male companion of the Prophet: Say, "Radiyallaahu ‘anhum" which means, ‘May Allah be pleased with him.

A past scholar or righteous Muslim: Say, "Rahimahullaah" which means, ‘May Allah have Mercy on him.’

A female companion: Say "Radiyallaahu ‘anhaa" which means, ‘May Allah be pleased with her.’

Hadeeth: Actions are but by Intentions

Actions are but by intentions,

and every man shall have only that which he intended.

Thus he whose migration (Hijrah to Madeenah from Makkah) was for Allah

and His Messenger,

his migration was for Allah and His Messenger,

and he whose migration was to achieve some worldly benefit,

or to take some woman in marriage,

his migration was for that for which he migrated.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, You must follow my Sunnah (path) and after me (i.e. after my death) the Sunnah of the rightly guided Caliphs.

And of the rightly guided Caliphs, Abu Bakr (Allah be pleased with him) was, without doubt, the greatest, the best, the noblest, and the most knowledgeable.

Chapter 1: Early life in Makkah and Madinah

Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq (Allah be pleased with him) was born in Makkah in 573 AC and was two years younger than the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). He was born after the Year of the Elephant. He belonged to a distinguished and noble family, Banu Tameem, a branch of the Quraysh tribe. He shares the same line with Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) in Banu Murrah. Both of them have a distance of 6 generations.

Abu Bakr was not his real name; his name was Abdullah. His father's name was 'Uthmaan ibn' Amir, who was known as Abu Quhafah. Abu Qahafah embraced Islam after the conquest of Makkah. He was very old when he accepted Islam. Abu Bakr brought his father to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) to announce his entry into the community of Islam. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: O Abu Bakr, you should have left him where he was and I could have gone to visit him. Abu Bakr (Allah be pleased with him) said: O Messenger of Allah, he has a greater duty to come to you. The Prophet always honored the elderly.

His mothers name was Salmah bint Sakhr ibn 'Amr ibn Ka'ab ibn Sa'ad ibn Teem, and her Kunyah was Umm Al-Khair. She embraced Islam during its early days of propagation.

An-Nawawi says: His name was Abdullaah.

Abu Bakr was known by the name of 'Ateeq (the liberated person).

Jalaluddin Suyuti said, The majority of scholars are of the opinion that Atiq was his surname and not his name.

The mother of the believers, 'Aa'ishah (Allah be pleased with her) reported that she was in the house of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) while his companions sat in the courtyard, with a barrier between them and her. When Abu Bakr came, the Prophet said, Anyone who is pleased to see a man who has been delivered from Hellfire ('Ateeq) should look at this man (pointing to Abu Bakr).

In another version, 'Aa'ishah (Allah be pleased with her) says that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said to Abu Bakr: Be happy, you are 'Ateeq (freed) of Hellfire. 'Aa'ishah added: He (Abu Bakr) has always been called 'Ateeq since that day."

According to some scholars Abu Bakr was named 'Ateeq since he was handsome, or due to his good character, or because of the nobleness of his features.

Abu Bakr was calm and sincere from childhood. He was very truthful and honest. He was a tender-hearted man and sharply felt the sufferings and misery of others. He used to help the poor, needy, the distressed, and the oppressed.

He was white-skinned and skinny. His face was bony and his forehead protruded outside. He had lean muscular legs.

Before accepting Islam he was quite a wealthy businessman, a respected character of a kind and compassionate demeanor. Since he was honest, people trusted him and often left their money with him for safekeeping. His nobility and truthfulness soon made him a wealthy trader.

Ibn Ishaaq says: Abu Bakr was a man society wanted, who was popular and easy to work with. He knew more about the genealogy of Quraysh than anyone else and was aware of its flaws and merits. Abu Bakr avoided mentioning the shameful aspects of a person’s lineage though he knew both the good and shameful aspects of the family trees of Arab tribes.

Abu Bakr (Allah be pleased with him) was a merchant of high character and friendliness. The people of Quraysh, because of his vast knowledge, experience in the trade, and friendliness, visited him to discuss many matters with him. He was from the Banu Teem tribe. He was responsible for matters involving debt and blood money. When Abu Bakr agreed to take responsibility, in his own name and in the name of the Quraish, for paying someone's debts or blood money, other members of the Quraish would support him.

Even before accepting Islam, he detested most of the customs and traditions of Jahiliyyah (the pre-Islamic period). He never drank alcohol or participated in the worship of idols practiced by his contemporaries. Because of his excellent character, he was the Prophet's (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) closest friend since his youth and their companionship proved to be lifelong. He also accompanied the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) on some of his trade missions.

'Aa'ishah (Allah be pleased with her) said: "By Allah, Abu Bakr did not write poetry either before or after accepting Islam. He along with Uthmaan avoided alcohol in Jahiliyyah (the ignorant period before Islam)."

On the authority of Abu Al-Aaliyah Ar-Rayhaani, who said: While the people sat in (the company of some of the Prophet's companions), Abu Bakr was asked, "Did you drink alcohol in Jahiliyyah? He replied, Allah forbid! When asked why he did not do this, he replied, I was keen on maintaining my sense of honor and decent character while the one who drinks alcohol does not show concern for his honor or the preservation of his character. The narrator added: When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was informed of what he (Abu Bakr) said, he remarked, Abu Bakr spoke the truth, Abu Bakr spoke the truth.

Abu Bakr (Allah be pleased with him) said in the presence of some companions: I have never prostrated before an idol. This is because my father Abu Quhafah took my hand when I reached puberty and went into a chamber in which were some idols and said to me: ‘They are your mighty and supreme deities.’ Then he left me and walked away. I approached an idol and said: I am hungry, so feed me, but it didn't answer. I prayed again, I'm naked so dress me, it didn't answer. So I threw it with some stone and it fell down.

Thus, Abu Bakr had an ideal character even before he accepted Islam. It is, therefore, no wonder that he is considered the best man after the Prophet, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Those who were the best among you in Jahiliyyah are the best after they have accepted Islam, provided they understand the knowledge of the Religion."

The status of Abu Bakr (Allah be pleased with him) was so elevated that several Quranic verses refer to him. This confirms his virtues and merits.

Allah says:

... The two were in the cave, and he said to his companion: Do not be afraid, because Allah is with us. Then Allah sent down His peace on him.

(At-Tawbah: 40)

Muslim scholars unanimously agree that the Companion referred to in this verse is Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq (Allah be pleased with him).

Ibn Abbaas explained the verse:

... then Allah sent His peace down on him, and said: On him means upon Abu Bakr since the Prophet is already inherently calm (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).

Ibn Mas'ood reports that Abu Bakr (Allah be pleased with him) purchased Bilaal (who was a slave to Umayyah ibn Khalaf and Ubayy ibn Khalaf) and released him for Allah's sake. Then Allah Almighty revealed the verses:

By the night as it envelops.

Up to

Verily, your efforts and deeds are diverse.

(Al-Layl: 1-4)

'Aamir ibn' Abdullaah ibn Az-Zubayr said: Abu Bakr used to free slaves and get them to accept Islam in Makkah. He released older men and women after they accepted Islam. His father (Abu Quhafah) said to him, My son, I see that you are freeing weak slaves. If you want to keep doing what you are doing, why not free powerful men who will defend and protect you? Abu Bakr said: My efforts in this regard are solely for the sake of Allah. It is said that these verses were revealed regarding him (Abu Bakr):

So whoever gives (in charity) and fears (Allah)

(Al-Layl: 5)

'Urwah said: Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq (Allah be pleased with him) set free seven people who were tortured in Allah's cause. It was about him that the verse was revealed:

But those who are most devoted to Allah will be far from it (that is, the fire of hell), up to the end of the surah.

Abu Bakr (Allah be pleased with him) bought the slaves who were being tortured when they accepted Islam and freed them. He freed