Abu Bakr, whose companion, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), called As-Siddiq (the Truthful), for he was always truthful in every situation, supportive in every word, a companion in every path, a believer in every word, and fully surrendered to Allah at all times. He was the second of the two in the cave, the companion in battles, and the Caliph after the Prophet’s passing.
Who is As-Siddiq, Abu Bakr?
He is Abdullah ibn Uthman ibn Amir ibn Amr ibn Ka‘b ibn Sa‘d ibn Taym ibn Murrah ibn Ka‘b ibn Lu’ayy ibn Ghalib. (1) His lineage meets that of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) at Murrah. In the pre-Islamic era, he was known as ‘Abd al-Ka‘bah (Servant of the Ka‘bah), but the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) named him Abdullah and gave him the title “Atiq” due to his handsome face and because he was saved from the Hellfire. (2) He was also called “As-Siddiq” because he was the first to wholeheartedly believe in the Prophet, particularly on the morning of the Isra and Mi‘raj. (3) His father was Uthman, known as Abu Quhafah, and his mother was Salma bint Sakhr ibn Amr ibn Aamir ibn Ka‘b ibn Murrah, whose title was Umm al-Khayr. (4)
Faith of Abu Bakr (5)
There is no definitive narration that precisely recounts the story of Abu Bakr’s conversion to Islam. All that is mentioned is that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) invited his close companion to Islam, and Abu Bakr immediately began calling others to it. Did the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) assign him this mission? Or was it a natural sense of responsibility that arose in Abu Bakr’s heart for the religion he believed in and carried? No one knows for sure. However, what is certain is that he left the Prophet to call for Islam, becoming the first man to accept Islam after the Prophet of the Ummah. His home became the second home of Islam, after the house of prophethood, as his wife also embraced the faith.
Through Abu Bakr’s efforts, many others embraced Islam, including Uthman ibn Affan, Abdul Rahman ibn Awf, Zubair ibn al-Awwam, Sa‘d ibn Abi Waqqas, and Talha ibn Ubaydullah—men who later formed an entire nation that left their lasting mark.
Other great companions also entered Islam through Abu Bakr, such as Uthman ibn Maz‘un, Abu Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah, Abu Salamah ibn Abd al-Asad, and Al-Arqam ibn Abi al-Arqam, the young man who transformed his home into a secret meeting place where early Muslims learned their religion and formed their beliefs. Abu Bakr was a solid rock that absorbed the shocks inflicted upon the new faith during its early days. Allah said regarding him: “If you do not aid the Prophet - Allah has already aided him when those who disbelieved had driven him out [of Makkah] as one of two, when they were in the cave and he said to his companion, 'Do not grieve; indeed Allah is with us.'” (At-Tawbah: 40)
Abu Bakr As-Siddiq Journey of Jihad
Sources state that Abu Bakr never missed a single battle or expedition with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him); he was always by his side.
Ibn Kathir says: “The scholars of Seerah did not disagree that Abu Bakr As-Siddiq never missed any of the Prophet’s battles or expeditions.”
Az-Zamakhshari stated: “He was permanently attached to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). He accompanied him from his youth, spent his wealth for him in old age, carried him to Madinah with his own mount and provisions, and continued spending his wealth on him throughout his life. He married his daughter to him and remained his close companion in both travel and residence. When the Prophet passed away, Abu Bakr was buried in the room of Aisha, the most beloved of women to him.”
Salamah ibn al-Akwa‘ reported: “I joined seven military expeditions led by the Messenger of Allah himself (ﷺ), and nine expeditions which he sent out once under Abu Bakr and once under Usama b. Zaid.” (6)
Abu Bakr participated in the Battle of Badr during Ramadan in the second year of Hijrah. His contributions in this battle included offering counsel to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). One of his significant moments in Badr was standing guard over the Prophet, as was always his habit.
Ali ibn Abi Talib recounted an event at Badr, saying: “O people, who is the bravest of men?” They replied, “You, O Commander of the Faithful.” He responded, “I have never faced anyone in combat except that I prevailed over them. But the bravest man is Abu Bakr. When we built a shelter for the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), we asked, 'Who will stand guard so that no enemy approaches him?' By Allah, no one stepped forward except Abu Bakr, who stood with his sword drawn, protecting the Messenger of Allah. If any polytheist dared to approach, he immediately confronted them. That is true bravery.”
Abu Bakr was compassionate toward the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), deeply concerned for his well-being. During the battle, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed fervently, “O Allah, accomplish for me what Thou hast promised to me. O Allah, bring about what Thou hast promised to me. O Allah, if this small band of Muslims is destroyed. Thou will not be worshipped on this earth.” He continued his supplication to his Lord, stretching his hands, facing the Qibla, until his mantle slipped down from his shoulders. So Abu Bakr came to him, picked up his mantle and put it on his shoulders. Then he embraced him from behind and said: Prophet of Allah, this prayer of yours to your Lord will suffice you, and He will fulfill for you what He has promised you.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) then dozed off momentarily in the shelter, and when he awoke, he said: “Rejoice, O Abu Bakr! The help of Allah has come. Here is Jibril taking the rein of his horse, covered in dust.” The Prophet then went out and encouraged his companions.
Abu Bakr’s faith and commitment were stronger than personal relationships. His own son, Abdul Rahman, fought on the side of the disbelievers in this battle. He was one of the bravest men in Quraysh and an expert marksman. After his conversion, he told his father: “During Badr, I had a clear shot at you, but I turned away and did not strike.” Abu Bakr replied: “Had I seen you as a target, I would not have turned away.”
The virtues and contributions of Abu Bakr in serving Islam and his unwavering faith are countless. Even a thousand books, would not do justice to the status of the Prophet’s Caliph. Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) once said in a sermon: “Allah has given option to a slave to choose this world or what is with Him. The slave has chosen what is with Allah.” Upon hearing this, Abu Bakr wept and said: “May my father and mother be sacrificed for you, O Messenger of Allah!” By my father and mother, Abu Bakr—may Allah be pleased with him and grant him His pleasure—was the most knowledgeable of the companions without exception and the most proficient in recitation among them. This is what led the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, in his final moments, when he looked to see Umar al-Farooq leading the people in prayer, he became extremely upset, and his face changed in anger, and he said: “Allah and the Faithful do not substantiate the claim of anyone but that of Abu Bakr.” Abu Bakr must lead, for he is the most deserving.
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(1) Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari: History of the Prophets and Kings (3/424-425).
(2) Abu Muhammad Abdul Malik ibn Hisham: Al-Sirah al-Nabawiyyah on the margins of Al-Rawd al-Unuf by Abu al-Qasim Abdul Rahman al-Suhayli (1/287).
(3) Al-Tabari (3/425), and Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani: Fath al-Bari (8/8).
(4) Abu al-Qasim Abdul Rahman al-Suhayli (1/287).
(5) Ibn Hisham: Al-Sirah Al-Nabawiyyah.
(6) Dr. Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi.
