Abu Bakr, Radi-Allahu anhu, as-Siddiq
was the first of the Muslims and the first khalifah of the Muslims. He was the
man who the Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, loved most. The Prophet,
Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, once said "..everyone hesitated before
accepting Islam except Abu Bakr, Radi-Allahu anhu". He was a man easily
overcome with weeping and he prayed to his Lord with a voice so soft that the
Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, questioned him about this, to which he
replied "..He with whom I speak will hear". He was frail and slight
of built and yet his actions exceeded the actions of any man, except the
Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam.
Aisha, Radi-Allahu anha, the daughter of Abu Bakr, Radi-Allahu
anhu, and the wife of the Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, said,
"While the head of Allah's messenger was on my lap on a moonlit night, I
asked "Messenger of Allah, has anyone done as many good deeds as there are
stars in the sky?" "Yes", he replied, "Umar, Radi-Allahu
anhu, has". I then asked how Abu Bakr's good deeds compared, and he
replied, "All Umar's good deeds are like one of Abu Bakr's good
deeds".
Abu Bakr, Radi-Allahu anhu's love for the Prophet, Sall-Allahu
alayhi wa sallam, knew no bounds. He accompanied the Prophet, Sall-Allahu
alayhi wa sallam, on the Hijrah to Madinah. They stopped at a cave called
"Thawr", and Abu Bakr, Radi-Allahu anhu, said, as narrated by Umar
ibn Khattab, "I swear by Allah that you (the Prophet) will not enter the
cave before I have done so, for if there is anything in it, I shall be attacked
by it, and not you." Then he entered the cave and swept it and found some
holes in the side of it. He tore up a piece of his garment and plugged the
holes with it. As there were still two remaining holes left, he thrust his feet
into them and told the Messenger of Allah to enter the cave. When he had done
so the Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, laid his head on Abu Bakr,
Radi-Allahu anhu's lap and went to sleep. One of Abu Bakr, Radi-Allahu anhu's
foot was stung by a creature in the hole, but he did not move for fear that the
Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, might awake. The effect of the poison
returned later on, and was said to be the cause of his death.
According to Umar, Radi-Allahu anhu, the day when the Prophet,
Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, died and the Arabs turned back from Islam and
refused to pay zakat, he said, "If they were to refuse me the nose-rope of
a camel, I would fight them over it". Umar, Radi-Allahu anhu, remarked, "Successor
of the Messenger of Allah, be affable and gentle to the people", to which
Abu Bakr, Radi-Allahu anhu, replied, "Have you, who were a powerful man
before Islam, become weak in Islam? The revelation has ceased and the
transaction has been made perfect. Is it to diminish while I am alive?."
Two years after becoming the first khalifah, Abu Bakr, Radi-Allahu
anhu, was seized with fever. After completing his affairs in this world he died
at the age of 63 with nothing but two pieces of cloth, in which he was buried.
As his end was near, he was heard to say "..O Allah, make me to die a man
of trust. Please take me to join the blessed, exalted ones."
Sayings of Abu Bakr, Radi-Allahu anhu
1.
Always fear Allah; He knows what is in men's hearts.
2.
Be kind to those who are under you and treat them well.
3.
Give brief directions; directions that are too long are likely to
be forgotten.
4.
Improve your own conduct before asking others to improve theirs.
5.
Honor the enemy's envoy.
6.
Maintain the secrecy of your plans.
7.
Always speak the truth, so that you get the right advice.
8.
Consult your men when you are free to do so; this will develop
participation.
9.
Take suitable measures to keep watch on the army.
10. Be sincere to
all with whom you deal.
11. Give up
cowardice and dishonesty.
12. Give up bad
company.
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