Afternoon Reminder. Saturday. We continue with the Life of the first leader of Islam after the Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wasallam, ABU BAKR AS-SIDIQ (R.A). He was active in the call of people to Islam, and the people who accepted his call to Islam included Uthman bin Affan RA, who would later be the third of the Rightly Guided Caliphs. His conversion to Islam had an immediate repercussion on his flourishing business, which suffered a great deal. Yet, he still spent a great part of his wealth to alleviate the sufferings of the Muslims in distress, including the liberation of many slaves who had accepted Islam. The most famous of these was of course Bilal R.A, whose freedom Abu Bakr purchased while Bilal was being severely tortured by the non-believers for refusing to renounce his monotheism. Despite his status in society, Abu Bakr was not spared the boycott, abuse, persecution and torture inflicted upon many of the Muslims in the early days of the revelation. More than once, he interposed himself between the Quraishi attackers and the Prophet SAW, enduring severe beatings in the process. His constant companionship and unflinching loyalty to the Prophet S.A.W saw them through some difficult key events over the next two decades, and would, in the near future be the Messenger’s S.A.W first successor as the ruler of the Islamic kingdom. The steadfastness of Abu Bakrs character and faith in Islam was demonstrated when the Prophet (SAW) made a night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and then ascended to the Heaven and returned. People had come to Abu Bakr to mock about the Prophet’s (SAW) journey, asserting that these events could not have taken place within one night. Abu Bakr was steadfast and he understood that with Allah, anything is possible. His faith was strong and unshaken. He reaffirmed the Prophet’s SAW statements and said that “If he (the Prophet SAW) said so, then he has told the truth. I have believed him in what is more distant (to reason) that that, of divine information.” It was this incident that gave him the nickname As-Siddiq (the truthful). Migration to Medina Abu Bakr believed that Allah would not send down His Word to the people and leave it to be thrown away, second, that his belief in Islam should hold him responsible and ready to sacrifice himself (for the sake of this religion). He thus decided that his mission was to make his life a fence to protect Islam and its Messenger (SAW). The more dangerous it became and the more horrifying, “the more he would feel he was the luckiest, the most fortunate, the most rewarded and the happiest of all the inhabitants of the earth.” When the situations of the early Muslims in Mecca became unbearable, it was decided that they would migrate to Medina (then known as Yathrib), in batches, to begin a new life in another city. Abu Bakr sought permission to migrate, but the Prophet (SAW) bade him to wait so that it was possible for him to have a companion. Both of them were among the last to leave Mecca, once it was clear that the majority of the Muslims had safely been evacuated from Mecca and were out of imminent danger. With each passing day, the risk of danger on those who remained increased. Abu Bakr knew that that the migration to Medina would be paved with hardship, danger and risk, not least because of the assassination attempt plotted against the Messenger. They left for Medina in the thick of the night, and thus started a new chapter in the age of Islam. The Cave of Thawr Instead of taking the obvious route to Medina, they instead headed towards the opposite direction in order to throw off their pursuers. They then took refuge in the Cave of Thawr, where they spent three nights. Upon entering, the Prophet (SAW), deeply exhausted by the arduous journey, immediately laid his head on Abu Bakrs lap and fell asleep. Suddenly, a poisonous insect stung Abu Bakrs foot. Instead of flinching, Abu Bakr remained still and silently bore the immense pain, so as not to break the Prophets sleep. Can you imagine his devotion to the Messenger? It was Abu Bakrs tears falling on the Prophets face that caused him to wake up. Meanwhile, the Quraish were still in pursuit, and trekked up to the entrance of the cave. It was only a divine miracle that the two of them were concealed from their pursuers. Reported in Sahih Muslim Book 31 Hadith 5868: Anas b. Malik reported that Abu Bakr Siddiq reported him thus: I saw the feet of the polytheists very close to us as we were in the cave. I said: Allahs 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 twain who have Allah as the third One with them. In Surat Al-Tawbah, Ayat 40, Allah SWT says, If you do not aid the Prophet - Allah has already aided him when those who disbelieved had driven him out [of Mecca] as one of two, when they were in the cave and he said to his companion, “Do not grieve; indeed Allah is with us.” And Allah sent down his tranquillity upon him and supported him with angels you did not see… What an honour was given to Abu Bakr, for being the companion of the Messenger (SAW) in the cave, and to have a place in the Holy Qur’an. Father-in-law of the Prophet After the deaths of Abu Talib and Khadija RA, Abu Bakr tried to console the Prophet (SAW) during his bereavement, and spent most of his time in the Prophet SAWs company. He tried to fill the vacuum created by these deaths. Much later, it was suggested by Khawla bint Hakim that Abu Bakr should offer his daughter Aisha for marriage to the Prophet SAW. This request, while well received, proved to be diplomatically delicate, for Aisha was already engaged to Jubayr ibn Mutim. However, this problem solved itself, as engagement was repudiated by the potential grooms family on account of their disbelief in Islam. Thus, a simple ceremony was conducted to celebrate Aishas engagement to the Prophet SAW, although the marriage ceremony was held years later. In this way, Abu Bakrs kinship with the Prophet SAW was cemented through the ties of marriage, and he was elated at the honour of being the Prophets father in law. The Battle of Badr The battle was difficult and the Messenger SAW kept supplicating to Allah for victory so that Allah can be worshipped on earth and supplicated so much that his voice became hoarse. Abu Bakr was with the Messenger SAW at this time and beseeched to the Messenger SAW to stop as Allah would no doubt fulfil what He has promised the Messenger SAW. Such was the faith of Abu Bakr, such was the support of Abu Bakr to the Messenger SAW. The death of the Messenger SAW stunned and created shockwaves throughout the community. Even Umar RA almost lost consciousness when he heard the news, and then firmly denied the truth of the report, threatening to cut off the hands and legs of those who claimed that the Prophet SAW had died. Abu Bakr, who had already anticipated the death of the Prophet SAW, was the only one among the Companions who had the wisdom to handle this situation before it escalated into a nationwide hysteria and crisis. He spoke to no one until he went directly to Aishas RA room, where the lifeless body of the Messenger SAW lay. He uncovered the face of the Prophet SAW, leaned over, kissed him and said: “Let my mother and father be sacrificed for you, (O Allahs Apostle), you are good in life and in death. By Allah in Whose Hands my life is, Allah will never make you taste death twice.” He then went out, asked Umar to be seated and addressed the assembly: “Whoever worshipped Muhammad, then Muhammad is dead, but whoever worshipped Allah, then Allah is alive and shall never die.” He then recited “(O Muhammad) Verily you will die, and they also will die.” (Qur’an 39:30) “Muhammad is no more than an Apostle; and indeed many Apostles have passed away, before him, If he dies or is killed, will you then turn back on your heels? And he who turns back on his heels, not the least harm will he do to Allah and Allah will give reward to those Who are grateful.” (Qur’an 3:144) Ibn Abbas said: “By Allah, it was as if the people had never heard the Qur’anic verse until Abu Bakr recited it as a reminder. So the people began reciting it until there was not a person who did not recite it.” Hence, Abu Bakrs wise intervention calmed unease and tension, and helped people in the transition to the next phase of Islam, where they were to live the Message without their beloved leader and Messenger SAW at the helm. To be concluded in my evening reminder in shaa Allah. May Allah keep guiding our faith till Jannat. Aameen.
Posted on: Sat, 25 Oct 2014 14:29:58 +0000
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