The Beloved Messenger of Allah said,
“There
is no one among the people who has been more generous to me with his
life and his property than Abu Bakr ibn Abi Quhaafa, and if I was to
take an intimate friend, I would take Abu Bakr as my intimate friend.” [Bukhari]
Sayyidina Abu Bakr Siddique;
1400 years later, his love for the Messenger of Allah stands as a solid
pillar upholding the true meaning of devotion and faith.
We live in a day
and age where love for the Prophet has sadly become a disputed agenda
and the Muslim Ummah is now witnessing the rise of an absurd concept;
that we “love the Prophet too much”. However, just one glance at the
life of Sayyidina Abu Bakr Siddique eliminates all doubt about the
significance of loving the Messenger of Allah. It is the pinnacle of
faith.
Indeed the Beloved Messenger, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, said, “None of you will have faith till he loves me more than his father, his children and all mankind.” [Bukhari, Book 2, Hadith no. 12]
Belief in the Message of al-Amin (the Trustworthy)
The Beloved Messenger, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, was known as al-Amin by
the people of Makkah, which translates as the trustworthy one. His
character was adored by all, for he was kind at heart and most truthful
in speech.
When the Beloved
Prophet began to spread the Message of Islam, he began by secretly
telling those closest to him. Sayyidina Abu Bakr Siddique was his
closest friend, and about him it is reported that he never hesitated to
embrace Islam upon the invitation of the Messenger of Allah.
It was due to the
purity of his heart, even before the Message of Islam, that he was able
to readily accept the truth with such firm conviction. It is also proof
of the utmost faith, trust and loyalty he treasured for his dear friend
and teacher, the Beloved Messenger of Allah.
Being one of the
first to embrace Islam, Sayyidina Abu Bakr Siddique enjoys the elevated
status which Allah has granted to the first of the Muslims: “And the first forerunners [in the faith] among the Muhajireen and the Ansar
and those who followed them with good conduct - Allah is pleased with
them and they are pleased with Him, and He has prepared for them gardens
beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. That is the
great attainment.” [Qur’an 9:100]
As-Siddiq, the Truthful - the Firm in Faith
His faith in the
Messenger of Allah was unwavering; his heart believing every word the
Beloved Messenger spoke, without a shadow of a doubt. It was due to this
love for the Truth that he earned the title of as-Siddiq (the truthful).
He earned this title on the morning following the Me’raj
(Prophetic Ascension to the Heavens); the unbelievers went to him,
making a mockery of the Beloved Messenger’s report of his journey of Me’raj. They questioned how he could travel such a distance, and to the Heavens too, in such a short length of time.
Sayyidina Abu Bakr
Siddique asked one question before making his judgment: “Did the
Messenger say that?” When this was confirmed, and it was clear to him
that the Messenger of Allah had said those words, he vowed with heart
and soul that this was indeed the truth. This is the essence of yaqeen (certainty), about which the Qur’an itself states, “So
patiently persevere: for verily the promise of Allah is true: nor let
those shake your firmness, who have (themselves) no certainty of faith.”
[Qur’an 30:60]
Sayyida Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her,
said about her father, “The idolaters came to Abu Bakr and said, ‘What
do you think of your Companion? He claims that he was taken this night
to Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem).’ He replied, ‘Did he say that?’
They said, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘He has definitely told the truth. I believe
and affirm him in matters more remote than that: the news from heaven in
the early part of the morning and in the evening.’ For that reason he
was called as-Siddiq.” [Imam Suyuti’s Tarikh al-Khulafa]
The title of as-Siddiq was reportedly confirmed by Angel Jibra’il, who himself testified to Sayyidina Abu Bakr’s strength in faith and loyalty:
Sayyidina Abu Hurairah reports, “When the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace,
returned on the night in which he was made to travel (to Jerusalem),
and he was at Dhu Tuwa, he said, ‘Jibra’il, my people will not believe
me,’ He (Jibra’il) said, ‘Abu Bakr will believe you, and he is as-Siddiq.’” [Imam Suyuti’s Tarikh al-Khulafa]
For the Moth, the Lamp Suffices
When the Beloved
Messenger of Allah decided to lead the expedition of Tabuk, the
Companions were given the honourable opportunity to donate their wealth
in the Way of Allah.
At the time,
Sayyidina Umar bin al-Khattab was considerably rich and he felt pleased
at this new possibility of excelling the virtue of Sayyidina Abu Bakr
Siddique. He went home, and returned to the Beloved Prophet with exactly
half of his wealth which was a significant contribution. The Beloved
Prophet was extremely pleased.
At that point,
Sayyidina Abu Bakr Siddique returned to the Beloved Prophet carrying his
own small and humble contribution. When the Beloved Prophet enquired as
to how much he had left for his family, the reply of as-Siddiq echoed with modest sincerity: “I have left Allah and His Messenger for my family.”
The Beloved Prophet
beamed with delight at this, his radiant face now even more resplendent
with the light of his smile. At this, the honourable Sayyidina Umar
admitted that he could not outdo the virtues of the man titled as-Siddiq. [Narrated in Sunan Abu Dawud]
Allama Iqbal, the great poet and Sufi, wrote a verse in honour of this incident:
“For the moth the lamp, and for the nightingale the flower,
For Siddiq, God and His Messenger alone suffice.”
Cave Thawr: the Truth and the Truthful
“The truth (sidq) and the testifier of truth (as-Siddiq)
Both remained in the cave unseen.”
[Imam Sharfuddeen Busayri’s Qasida Burdah]
When the
unbelievers drove the Messenger of Allah out of Makkah with the
intention of killing him, he fled the city with his most trustworthy
companion and friend, Sayyidina Abu Bakr Siddique. They sought refuge in
Cave Thawr for three days, where begins one of the most famous
incidents in Islamic history.
This incident also sheds further light on the height of love within the heart of Sayyidina Abu Bakr, for the Messenger of Allah.
When they reached
the entrance of Cave Thawr, Sayyidina Abu Bakr Siddique insisted on
removing all danger from inside the cave before allowing the Beloved
Prophet to enter. He said, “By the One Who has sent you with the Truth,
please do not enter the cave until I have surveyed it to ensure it is
safe; if there is any danger, let it harm me first.”
Saying this, he
tore apart his own clothing and blocked all the snake holes, making the
cave secure for the Messenger of Allah. Eventually, he ran out of
clothing whilst there remained one last hole to fill. This hole was
occupied by many dangerous snakes yet Sayyidina Abu Bakr Siddique,
without fear, blocked this hole with his own foot. He would not, under
any circumstance, compromise the safety of the Beloved Messenger.
The Beloved Messenger then entered the cave, and took rest on the lap of his friend, as-Siddiq. As-Siddiq
was repeatedly stung with venom, the snakes in the hole releasing their
venom into his foot with each deadly bite. Despite this, Sayyidina Abu
Bakr refused to move his foot; instead, he endured the pain without even
a cry of anguish, lest the Beloved Messenger be disturbed in his rest.
Naturally his eyes
began to fill with tears as the poison took effect, so that a tear fell
upon the cheek of the Beloved Messenger who rose from his sleep,
concerned. Hearing about the incident, the Beloved Messenger applied his
blessed saliva to the venomous wound and thus, Sayyidina Abu Bakr was
healed. [This incident was reported in Allama Alusi’s Ruhul Ma’ani]
Cave Thawr: Selfless Devotion
“Heart and love have become friends,
Like Ahmad and Abu Bakr became friends in the cave.
These two friends' names were different,
But their spirits was one.”
[Mawlana Rumi]
During the time
spent in Cave Thawr, Sayyidina Abu Bakr’s utmost concern was for the
safety of the Messenger of Allah. He feared not for his own welfare, but
that some harm might befall the one whom he loved the most, even more
than his own being.
Sayyidina Abu Bakr
Siddique himself reported, “I saw the feet of the polytheists very close
to us as we were in the cave. I said, ‘Allah's Messenger, if one
amongst them were to see at his feet he would have surely seen us.’
Thereupon he said, ‘Abu Bakr, what can befall two who have Allah as the
third One with them.’ [Muslim, Book 31, Hadith no. 5868]
So significant was this in Allah’s Eyes, that He mentions about it in the Holy Qur’an, “…Allah
did indeed help him, when the Unbelievers drove him out: he had no more
than one companion; they two were in the cave, and he said to his
companion, ‘Have no fear, for Allah is with us’: then Allah sent down
His peace upon him, and strengthened him with forces which you saw
not..” [Qur’an 9:40]
This selfless love
brings out the essence of the Hadith in which the Beloved Messenger said
to Sayyidina Umar, “By Him in Whose Hand my soul is, you will not have
complete faith till I am dearer to you than your own self.” Then
Sayyidina Umar replied, "However, now, by Allah, you are dearer to me
than my own self." Then the Beloved Messenger said, “Now, O Umar, you
are a believer.” [Bukhari, Vol. 8, Book 78, Hadith no. 628]
During the stay at
Cave Thawr, it is reported that Sayyidina Abu Bakr’s wife would cook and
Sayyidina Abu Bakr’s daughter, Lady Asma, would sneak away to the cave
to give them the provisions. Thus, as-Siddiq supported the Messenger of Allah with literally everything he had; his family, his wealth, and indeed his own life.
Every Muslim true to his religion follows in the example of As-Siddiq; indeed, love for Allah and His Messenger is our salvation.
Light Enters Madinah al-Munawwarah
After three days in
Cave Thawr, Sayyidina Abu Bakr and the Messenger of Allah proceeded to
Madinah. As they walked, it is reported that Sayyidina Abu Bakr walked
in different directions; sometimes to the right, sometimes to the left,
ahead or behind the Beloved Messenger. Upon enquiry, he explained,
“Beloved of Allah, when I walk behind, I fear lest the enemy attack you
from the front so I move there. And when I walk to your right, I fear
lest the enemy attack you from the left so I move there.”
Eventually they
reached the city of Madinah. Here, the people eagerly awaited the
arrival of the Beloved Messenger, so now a huge welcome greeted them as
the children of the blessed city beat their drums, singing in good cheer
and happiness.
It is reported that
the people first thought that Sayyidina Abu Bakr was the Messenger of
Allah, until he stood up to shield the Beloved Messenger from the sun
using his mantle. Only then did they realise that he was as-Siddiq.
Sayyidina Abu Bakr
Siddique’s strong resemblance to the radiance of the Messenger of Allah
is evidence of a true devotee; he followed him so deeply that
resemblance to his beloved became a natural occurrence.
Khwaja Amir Khusro wrote, regarding this level of love, “I have become you, and you
have become I. The
inner self became the body, and you became its life. The two of us are
one; and none can say that you and I are different.”
Coolness of the Eyes
Once, the Beloved
Messenger of Allah entered the Masjid and sat down near a pillar.
Sayyidina Abu Bakr Siddique was seated beside him. At this point,
Sayyidina Bilal, the master of mu’azzins, stood up and began to deliver the Azaan.
When he said, “Ash-hadu anna Muhammadur RasulAllah”, Sayyidina Abu Bakr placed both of his thumbnails upon his eyes saying, “Qurratu aini bika Ya RasulAllah” (meaning, ‘You are the coolness of my eyes, O Messenger of Allah.’)
When Sayyidina Bilal completed the Azaan,
the Beloved Messenger of Allah said, “O Abu Bakr! Whosoever does like
you have done, Almighty Allah will forgive all his sins.” [Narrated in Shaykh Ismail Haqqi's Tafseer Ruhul Bayaan]
This incident is a
beautiful display of Sayyidina Abu Bakr’s pure devotion for the Beloved
Messenger of Allah. At just the mention of the Beloved Prophet’s Name,
his heart submitted with total love and respect causing him to speak
with such praise.
The Beloved
Messenger of Allah said about him, to the other Companions, “Abu Bakr
does not precede you in anything in the way of prayer or fasting but in a
secret (sirr) rooted deep in his heart.” [Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal’s Manaqib as-Sahaba]
This could refer to marifah, or knowledge of Allah that He blesses His righteous servants with; it could also refer to the love and respect which as-Siddiq held in his heart for the Beloved of Allah.
Indeed, Allah says in the Qur’an, “Say,
[O Muhammad], "If you love Allah, then follow me, so Allah will love
you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” [Qur’an 3:31]
The Truthful Heart Knows
In the final phase
of his life, the Beloved Messenger of Allah addressed the people saying,
“Allah has given option to a slave to choose this world or what is with
Him. The slave has chosen what is with Allah.”
At this, Sayyidina
Abu Bakr wept profusely and the other Companions were astonished at his
weeping. Later, they all learnt that Allah’s Messenger himself was the
slave given such a choice, and that Sayyidina Abu Bakr wept because he
had known it immediately.
After that announcement, Allah’s Messenger added, “There
is no one among the people who has been more generous to me with his
life and his property than Abu Bakr ibn Abi Quhaafa, and if I was to
take an intimate friend, I would take Abu Bakr as my intimate friend.
But, the friendship of Islam is better. Block off every door in this
Masjid except the door of Abu Bakr.” [Bukhari, Vol. 5, Book 57, Hadith no. 6]
Departure of the Beloved
When the Beloved Messenger passed away, he ensured that as-Siddiq followed
as his successor. In his final illness, he issued the command, “Tell
Abu Bakr to lead the prayer.” Sayyidina Abu Bakr’s daughter, and wife of
the Beloved Messenger, Sayyida Aisha replied, “He is a soft-hearted man
and would not be able to lead the prayer in your place.” The Messenger
of Allah repeated his command, so that in the end Sayyidina Abu Bakr
lead the prayer, giving him status as the Imam during the Beloved
Messenger’s lifetime. [Bukhari, Book 11, Hadith no. 646]
When the Beloved
Messenger entered the Masjid during his final illness, Sayyidina Abu
Bakr was leading the prayer. Upon seeing the Beloved Messenger from the
corner of his eye, he withdrew from his position as the Imam.
The Beloved
Messenger insisted for him to continue, but he was unable to do so. So
the Messenger of Allah went ahead and led the prayer, and upon
completion he asked, “O Abu Bakr! What
prevented you from staying when I ordered you to do so?” Sayyidina Abu
Bakr replied, “How can Ibn Abi Quhafa (Abu Bakr) dare to lead the prayer
in the presence of Allah's Messenger?”[Bukhari, Book 11, Hadith no. 652]
Observe the humility of as-Siddiq!
At that point, nothing could contend with his love and modesty in the
presence of the Beloved Messenger of Allah. His emotion when he saw the
Beloved at his side – the Beloved who had been so ill, now finally able
to join the companions as they bowed to Allah. This rush of sentiment,
respect and adoration of as-Siddiq caused him to pull back, ashamed at the prospect of leading the Muslims while the Master himself was present.
Strength during Immense Grief
When the Beloved
Messenger of Allah passed away, the Companions became overwhelmed with
immense pain at the departure of the Master. Sayyidina Umar could not,
at that point, bear the thought that the Messenger of Allah had indeed
passed away.
Sayyidina Abu Bakr
returned to Madinah from a journey, and went directly to the Masjid
al-Nabawi where the Beloved Messenger lay to rest. He uncovered the
blessed face, kissed the Beloved Messenger’s forehead and tears flowed
from his eyes. None can imagine the depth of grief as-Siddiq, or any of the other Companions, felt during this painful moment.
However, such was the love of as-Siddiq;
he knew that the Beloved Messenger would have wished for calm, for
control during this time of sadness. Having seen the state of the
Companions outside the Masjid, he knew someone had to uphold them in
their vulnerable condition. Putting aside his own pain for the sake of
the Beloved, he gathered all his inner strength and spoke the words of
Truth so vital in those moments:
“Muhammad
is not but a messenger. [Other] messengers have passed on before him.
So if he was to die or be killed, would you turn back on your heels [to
unbelief]? And he who turns back on his heels will never harm Allah at
all; but Allah will reward the grateful.” [Qur’an 3:144] [Narrated by Bukhari, Book 57, Hadith no. 19]
It was this which stirred realisation in the hearts of the grieved Companions, thus as-Siddiq
restored faith in their sorrowful hearts. In this dark hour, he put the
importance of the Message above his own emotional anguish and without
hesitation, took responsibility to honour and safeguard the truth of the
Beloved Messenger.
Beloved of the Beloved
Sayyidina
Amr bin al-Aas narrates that he asked the Messenger of Allah, “Who is
the most beloved person to you?” He said, “Aisha,” Sayyidina Amr bin
al-Aas asked, “Amongst men?” He replied, “Her father (Abu Bakr).” [Bukhari, Vol. 5, Hadith no.14]
The love and strong
bond between Allah’s Messenger and Sayyidina Abu Bakr was mutual; they
were friends of the closest degree. Yet as-Siddiq, humble and
sincere,kept himself at a modest level in the presence of the Messenger;
as a slave does at the noble feet of his Master. He would, without any
hesitation, sacrifice his dearest possessions in the Way of Allah and
His Beloved – and this too, from the depths of his heart.
It was this level
of complete faith, trust, devotion and respect, which raised him to such
an elevated status. He was the strongest pillar of support for the
Beloved Messenger throughout his life, and he was the steadfast affirmer
of the Message with every stage of its progress.
In History of the
World, H. G. Wells writes, “Throughout their life together, it was
Muhammad who said the thing, but it was Abu Bakr who believed.”
During his fatal
illness, in his last moments, his focus and thought shone upon the
memory of the Beloved Messenger of Allah evermore.
He asked his daughter Sayyida Aisha, “How many garments was the Prophet shrouded with?” She replied, “In three Sahuliya
pieces of white cotton cloth, and there was neither a shirt nor a
turban among them.” He further asked her, “On which day did the Prophet
die?” She replied, “He died on Monday.” He asked, “What is today?” She
replied, “Today is Monday.” Then he said, “I hope I shall die sometime
between this morning and tonight.” [Bukhari, Book 23, Hadith no. 469]
May Allah’s eternal peace and blessings of the highest degree be upon our Master Muhammad, upon his Family and his Companions.
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