A004 - Abu Bakr

 

Abu Bakr

Abu Bakr (Abu Bakr al-Siddiq) (Abu Bakr as-Siddiq) ('Abdallah bin Abu Quhafah) (b. October 27, 573, Mecca, Hejaz, Arabia (present day Saudi Arabia) - d. August 23, 634, Medina, Hejaz, Rashidun Caliphate (present day Saudi Arabia) was the first Caliph -- the first political successor to Muhammad -- and the father of Muhammad’s wife, ‘A’isha.  Abu Bakr is said to have been three years younger than Muhammad, but little is known of his life before his conversion to Islam. 

Abu Bakr was the founder and first caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate ruling from 632 until his death in 634. He was the most prominent companion, closest advisor and a father-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad. Abu Bakr is one of the most important figures in Islamic history. 

Abu Bakr was born in 573 CC to Abu Quhafa and Umm Khayr.   He belonged to the Banu Taym tribe.  In the Age of Ignorance, he was a monotheist and condemned idol-worshipping. As a wealthy trader, Abu Bakr used to free slaves. He was an early friend of Muhammad and often would accompany Muhammad on Muhammad's trading trips to Syria. After receiving Muhammad's invitation to Islam, Abu Bakr became one of the first Muslims. He extensively contributed his wealth in support of Muhammad's work and also accompanied Muhammad on Muhammad's migration -- the hijra -- to Medina. By the invitations of Abu Bakr, many prominent Sahabis -- companions of the Prophet -- became Muslims. He remained the closest advisor to Muhammad, being present at almost all his military conflicts. In the absence of Muhammad, Abu Bakr led the prayers and expeditions.

Following Muhammad's death in 632, Abu Bakr succeeded to the leadership of the Muslim community as the first Rashidun -- the first rightly guided -- Caliph, being elected at Saqifah.  During his reign, he overcame a number of uprisings, collectively known as the Ridda wars, as a result of which he was able to consolidate and expand the rule of the Islamic state over the entire Arabian Peninsula. He also commanded the initial incursions into the neighboring Sassanian and Byzantine empires, which in the years following his death, would eventually result in the Muslim conquests of Persia and the Levant. Abu Bakr also had an essential role in the compilation of the Qur'an during his reign. The first finished codex of the Qur'an was kept with Abu Bakr.  All modern versions of the Qur'an are derived from Abu Bakr's codex.

Abu Bakr's caliphate lasted for only two years, ending with his death after an illness in 634. On his deathbed, he dictated his last testament to 'Urhman ibn Affan, in which he appointed Umar ibn al-Khattab as his successor. Abu Bakr's ghusl  -- his ritual purification -- was performed by 'Ali ibn Abi Talib and the funeral prayer was performed by Umar. Along with Muhammad, Abu Bakr is buried in the Green Dome at the Al-Masjid an-Nabawi in Medina, the second holiest site in Islam.  

Though the period of Abu Bakr's caliphate was short.  It included successful invasions of the two most powerful empires of the time, a remarkable achievement in its own right. He set in motion a historical trajectory that in a few decades would lead to one of the largest empires in history. His victory over the local rebel Arab forces is a significant part of Islamic history. Accordingly, Abu Bakr is widely honored among Muslims. 

Abu Bakr was born at Mecca some time in the year 573, in the Banu Taym branch of the Quraysh tribe.  Abu Bakr's father's name was Uthman Abu Qahafa (Uthman Abu Quhafah) nicknamed Abu Qahafa, and his mother was Salma Umm-ul-Khair nicknamed Umm-ul-Khair.  The birth name of Abu Bakr was Abdul Kaaba ("servant of the Kaaba) and when he accepted Islam in 610 he was named Abdullah (servant of Allah) by Muhammad. 

By most reports Abu Bakr was very handsome.  For his beauty, he earned the nickname of Atiq.  He was born into a wealthy family.  He spent his early childhood like other Arab children of the time among the Bedouins who called themselves Ahl-i-Ba'eer -- the people of the camel.  Thereafter, he developed a particular fondness for camels.

In his early years, Abu Bakr played with the camel foals and goats.  His love for camels earned him the nickname of Abu Bakr, the "father of the foal of the camel".  It is said that Abu Bakr did not worship idols even during his youth.  When he was ten years old he went to Syria along with his father with the merchants' caravan.  Muhammad who was 12 years old at the time, was also with the caravan.  Like other children of the rich Meccan merchant families, he was literate and developed a fondness for poetry.  He used to attend the annual fair at Ukaz, and participate in poetical symposia.  He had a very good memory.  In 591, at the age of 18, Abu Bakr went into trade and adopted the profession of a cloth merchant which was the family's business.  In the coming years, Abu Bakr traveled extensively with caravans.  Business trips took him to Yemen, Syria, and elsewhere.  These travels brought him wealth and added to his experience.  His business flourished and he rose in the scale of social importance.  Though his father Uthman Abu Qahafa was still alive, Abu Bakr came to recognized as chief of his tribe.  He was assigned the office of awarding blood money in cases of murder and his office was something like the office of an honorary magistrate.  Abu Bakr was an expert in genealogical lore and he knew intimately who was who in Mecca, and what his ancestry was.

When Muhammad married Khadijah bint Khuwaylid and moved to her house, he became a neighbor of Abu Bakr who lived in the same locality.  That was the quarter of Meccan aristocracy.  Like the house of Khadija, the house of Abu Bakr was double storied and palatial in structure. 

As neighbors, Muhammad and Abu Bakr came in contact with each other.  Both of them were of the same age, traders and good managers.

On his return from a business trip from Yemen, Abu Bakr was informed by some of his friends that in his absence Muhammad had declared himself as the Messenger of God, and proclaimed a new religion.  Abu Bakr converted to Islam becoming the second person to accept Muhammad's Prophethood according to some Sunnis.  Other Sunnis and all Shi'as believe that the second person (and first male) to accept Muhammad as the messenger of Allah  was 'Ali ibn Abi Talib.  However, what is not disputed is that Abu Bakr was the first person outside the family of Muhammad to become a Muslim.

Abu Bakr's birthname, "Abdul Kaaba," was changed to "Abdullah," because the former was indicative of paganism.  His wife Qutaylah bint 'Abd-al-Uzza did not accept Islam and Abu Bakr divorced her.  His other wife, Um Ruman, became a Muslim at his insistence.  All his children except 'Abd ar-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr accepted Islam, and Abu Bakr separated from his son Abdur Rahman. 

Abu Bakr's dawah brought many people to Islam.  He persuaded his intimate friends to convert to Islam.  He presented Islam to others in such a way that many of his friends opted for Islam.  Among those who converted to Islam at the instance of Abu Bakr were Uthman ibn Affan (who would become the third caliph), Al-Zubayr, Talhah, Abdur Rahman bin Awf (who became an important part of the Rashidun Empire), Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas, Umar ibn Masoan, Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah (who became commander in chief of the Rashidun army in Syria), Abdullah ibn Abdul Asad, Abu Salma, Khalid ibn Sa'id, and Abu Hudhaifah ibn al-Mughirah.

Abu Bakr's acceptance of Islam proved to be a milestone in Muhammad's mission.  Slavery was common in Mecca, and many slaves accepted Islam.  When an ordinary free man accepted Islam, despite opposition, he would enjoy the protection of his tribe.  For slaves, however, there was no such protection, and were subjected to persecution.  Abu Bakr felt for these slaves, so he purchased them and set them free.  Abu Bakr purchased the freedom of eight slaves, four men and four women.  The men were Bilal ibn Ribah, Abu Fakih, Ammar ibn Yasir and Abu Fuhayra.  The women were Lubaynah, Al-Nahdiah, Umm Ubays, and Harithah bint al-Muammil.

Most of the slaves liberated by Abu Bakr were either women or old and frail men.  The father of Abu Bakr asked him why he did not liberate strong and young slaves who could then be a source of strength for him, Abu Bakr replied that he was freeing the slaves for the sake of Allah, and not for his own sake. 

For three years after the advent of Islam, Muslims kept secret their faith, and prayed in secret.  In 613, Muhammad received a revelation to call people to Islam openly.  The first public address inviting people to offer allegiance to Muhammad was delivered by Abu Bakr.  In a fit of fury, the young men of the Quraysh tribe rushed at Abu Bakr, and beat him mercilessly until he lost consciousness.  Following this incident Abu Bakr's mother converted to Islam.  Abu Bakr was persecuted many times by the Quraysh.

In 617, the Quraysh enforced a boycott against the Banu Hashim.  Muhammad along with his supporters from Banu Hashim, were shut up in a pass away from Mecca.  All social relations with the Banu Hashim were cut off and their state was that of imprisonment.  Before it many Muslims migrated to Abyssinia (now Ethiopia).  Abu Bakr, feeling distress, set out for Yemen and then to Abyssinia from there.  He met a friend of his named Ad-Dughna (chief of the Qarah tribe) outside Mecca, who invited Abu Bakr to seek his protection against the Quraysh.  With this assurance, Abu Bakr went back to Mecca.  It was a relief for him to be there.  However, soon, due to the pressure of Quraysh, Ad-Dughna was forced to renounce his protection.  Once again the Quraysh were free to persecute Abu Bakr.  In the year 620, Muhammad's wife and uncle died.  Abu Bakr's daughter Aishawas engaged to Muhammad, however, it was decided that the actual marriage ceremony would be held later. 

Also, in the year 620, Abu Bakr was the first person to testify to Muhammad's Isra and Mi'raj (Night Journey). According to Sunni traditions, Abu Bakr was given the title "al-Siddiq", meaning "the truthful," "the upright," or "the one who counts true," due to his immediate belief of the journey.  During the Roman-Persian Wars, the sympathies of the Qurays of Mecca was with the Persians who were Zoroastrian.  The Muslims on the other hand had their sympathies for the Byzantines who were Christians and were the People of the Book with a belief in the Abrahamic God.  After the Persian victories over Byzantium, verses of the Qur'an revealed in Surah rum the prophesy that Byzantium (Romans) would regain what they lost and the Persians woule be defeated within a few years.  Over this Abu Bakr made a wager with Ubaiy bin Khalf.  It was agreed that the one who lost the wager would pay one hundred camels.  With a decisive Byzantium victory in 627 against the Persians, Abu Bakr won the wager.  Although Ubaiy bin Khalf was not alive, his heirs honored the agreement and gave Abu Bakr one hundred camels.  Abu Bakr then gave the camels away as charity.

In 622, upon the invasin of the Muslims of Medina, Muhammad ordered Muslims to migrate to Medina.  The migration began in batches.  Abu Bakr accompanied Muhammad in his migration for Medina.  Due to the danger of the Quraysh, they did not take the road to Medina.  They moved in the opposite direction, and took refuge in a cave in Mount Thaur some five miles south of Mecca.  'Abdullah ibn Abi Bakr the son of Abu Bakr would listen to the plans and talks of the Quraysh, and at night he would carry the news to the fugitives in the cave.  Asma bint Abi Bakr, the daughter of Abu Bakr brought them meals every day.  Aamir, a servant of Abu Bakr would bring a flock of goats to the mouth of the cave every night where they were milked.  The Quraysh sent search parties in all directions.  One party came close to the entrance to the cave, but was unable to sight them.  After staying at the cave for three days and three nights, Abu Bakr and Muhammad proceeded to Medina, staying for some time at Quba, a suburb of Medina.

In Medina, Muhammad decided to construct a mosque.  A piece of land was chosen and the price of the land was paid for by Abu Bakr.  Muslims constructed a mosque named Al-Masjid al-Nabawi at the site and Abu Bakr also took part in construction.  Abu Bakr was paired with Khaarij ah bin Zaid Ansari as a brother in faith.  Abu Bakr's relationship with his brother-in-Islam was most cordial, which was further strengthened when Abu Bakr married Habiba, a daughter of Khaarijah.  

Khaarij ah bin Zaid Ansari used to live at Sukh, a suburb of Medina, and Abu Bakr also settled there.  After Abu Bakr's family arrived in Medina he bought another house near Muhammad's.

The climate of Mecca was dry, but the climate of Medina was damp and this adversely affected the health of the immigrants, so that on arrival most of them fell sick.  Abu Bakr also suffered from fever for several days and during this time he was attended to by Khaarijah and his family.  At Mecca, Abu Bakr was a trader in cloth and he started the same business in Medina.  He was a wholesaler, and had his store at Sukh, and from there cloth was supplied to the market at Medina.  Soon his business flourished at Medina.  Early in 623, Abu Bakr's daughter Aisha, who was already engaged to Muhammad, was given to Muhammad in a simple marriage ceremony, and this further strengthened the relationship between Abu Bakr and Muhammad.

In 624, Abu Bakr participated in the first battle between the Muslims and the Quraysh of Mecca known as the Battle of Badr.  In 625, he participated in the Battle of Uhud.  Before the battle began, Abu Bakr's son 'Abd ar-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr who was still non-Muslim and was fighting on the side of the Quraysh, came forward and threw down a challenge for a duel.  Abu Bakr accepted the challenge but was stopped by Muhammad.  His son later converted to Islam and gained fame during the Muslim conquest of Syria as a fierce warrior.  In the second phase of the battle, Khalid ibn al-Walid's cavalry attacked the Muslims from behind, changing a Muslim victory to defeat.  Many Muslim warriors were routed from the battle field but Abu Bakr remained, guarding Muhammad from the attacks of the Quraysh soldiers.  During one such attack, two disks from Muhammad's shield penetrated into Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah's cheeks.  Abu Bakr went forward with the intention of extracting these disks but Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah requested he leave the matter to him, losing his two incisors during the process.  Subsequently, Abu Bakr, along with other companions, led Muhammad to a place of safety.  Later in the year, Abu Bakr was a part of campaign again the Jewish tribe of Banu Nadir.  

In 627, Abu Bakr participated in the Battle of the Trench and also in the Battle of Banu Qurayza.  In 628, he participated in the negotiations that led to the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah and was made one of the witnesses over the pact.  Also, in 628, he was a part of the Muslim campaign to Khaybar.  In 629, Muhammad sent 'Amr ibn al-'As to Zaat-ul-Sallasal from where he called for reinforcements and Muhammad sent Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah.  Commanding an army under him were Abu Bakr and Umar and they attacked and defeated the enemy. 

In 630, when Muslim armies completed the conquest of Mecca, Abu Bakr was a part of the army.  Before the conquest of Mecca, his father Uthman Abu Qabafa converted to Islam.  In 630, he was part of the Battle of Hunayn and Siege of Ta'if.  He was part of the Muslim army in the campaign of Tabuk under Muhammad's command and he was reported to have given all his wealth for the preparation of this expedition.

In 631, Muhammad dispatched from Medina a delegation of three hundred Muslims to perform the Hajj according to the new Islamic way.  Abu Bakr was appointed as the leader of the delegates.  Abu Bakr had thus the honor of being the first Amir-ul-Haj in the history of Islam.  In the year 632, Abu Bakr followed Muhammad to Mecca for the farewell Hajj. 

Abu Bakr was apparently a merchant of modest means and an expert in Arab genealogy.  An early convert to Islam (in some traditions the first outside of Muhammad’s immediate family), Abu Bakr was a staunch supporter of Muhammad.  When Muhammad reported the Night Journey, Abu Bakr was one of the few to believe immediately, thus earning the title “al-Siddiq” – “The Witnesser to the Truth.”

Abu Bakr was chosen by Muhammad to accompany him on the Hijra, a position of honor and danger.  In Medina, Abu Bakr was immediately considered as one of the leaders in the emigrant community.  His position became probably stronger when he gave his six year old daughter ‘A’isha to Muhammad for marriage (although the marriage was not consummated until four years later).  His position was also improved or at least confirmed by his active participation in successful military campaigns.  Abu Bakr soon became Muhammad’s chief adviser.

As Muhammad’s primary adviser, Abu Bakr accompanied Muhammad on most of the major military expeditions, but did not have a separate military command.  He was designated to lead the pilgrimage -- the Hajj -- in the ninth year after Hijra and led the public prayer during Muhammad’s last illness. 

Sunni hadith indicate that Muhammad appointed Abu Bakr to become his deputy, so that Abu Bakr became the de facto leader of the Muslim community after Muhammad’s death.  The Shi‘a believe that it was 'Ali that had been appointed by Muhammad.

Abu Bakr’s short two year caliphate (June 8, 632 - August 23, 634) was spent in the Islamicization of Arabia and starting the Wars of Conquest.  It was Abu Bakr who suppressed tribal revolts during the “apostasy” -- the ridda -- and began Muslim conquests outside the Arabian Peninsula in Iraq and Syria.

Sunni hadith depict Abu Bakr in a positive light, as pious and successful on the battlefield.  Abu Bakr stayed in power for only two years until his death in 634.  He ruled from his quarters in Medina.  The principal challenges to Abu Bakr came from Arab tribes that had given allegiance to Muhammad, but recanted after Muhammad’s death. Abu Bakr had to bring them back into the Muslim federation.  By 633, Abu Bakr’s troops had full control over central Arabia.

Abu Bakr died in 634.  He was buried next to Muhammad.  Abu Bakr’s simple, pious life became legendary among practitioners of the Muslim faith.

Depending on the group of Muslims, Abu Bakr is regarded very differently.  Some, like the Naqshibandis, regard him as a central religious personage, and a spiritual authority.  Others, like the Sunnis consider Abu Bakr affectionately as being the first Muslim leader after Muhammad passed away.  On the other hand, the Shi‘a object generally to any caliph except 'Ali, but Abu Bakr is one of those they tolerate most.  Nevertheless, the Shi'a still consider him to be a symbol of profound injustice, that his rule was a human one and not divinely guided, and therefore, illegitimate and tyrannical.

However, what historically cannot be denied is that Abu Bakr took the first steps to make Islam the global religion it has become.  He initiated the first conquests -- conquests which within one century were to make the Muslim Empire, the mightiest power in the world.

Siddiq, al- see Abu Bakr
The Witnesser to the Truth see Abu Bakr
'Abdallah bin Abu Quhafah see Abu Bakr
Abu Bakr as-Siddiq see Abu Bakr
Abu Bakr al-Siddiq see Abu Bakr
Abdul Kaaba see Abu Bakr

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