Blographles of the Rightly ..

Guided Caliphs

~J .. 1.,.11 $1 ilal1 OJ

~jal-tl-U ~ ~_".aI' -~ ~I

t 18:1

M

Pr,epa,red .from t,hew:orks of Ibn Kathe,e'r" At~ Tabari,

As-Syooti, ,and ,oth,er ,n:i,storians'.

Prepared and 'Translat.€d by:

Tartti," ,Abu: As .. su "00,,1 MulJummad Noh« Ranilal Erl-nin; itbu A.t-Yazid

Revised and Edited by'~ M. IbroJzim Kmnara .I0fllUf;e' Mc.Ew,un

i ~ !

,Da,r Al Manara,b

For Tra,nsla tion" POOJ.ish.ing& D.i$tribtd!.ian

'(CIDAR AL-MANARAH FOR TRANSLATION. PUBLISHING & DISTRIBUTION

First edition: Safar i422. - May 2001

All rights reserved, No part of this publication may be reproduced, scored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in a[iJY form or by any means. electronic, mechanical. photocopying recording or otherwise, without written permission from the. publisher.

Published by:'

Dar AI'"':Manarah

F"Gt 'Fl."aiQslatiQU, :Pl~bli"sl)tii}g .& Uistdbotiou - El·MSDSOura - :Egypt Tel: 'OIlWSOll!W254 = Fa!!. : :UD5'Ql H~fu!lplLo,'Ile ; (l12t300S04~

P .O.BOX : 1S73R:

: i

O.J Wl I, JIIJ

~ .·~:'~I,.~, 'J", .:m ........ ··.1' 'I. "r'~'-'·!'.J' ~.~

roV'fA : ~.~- ii.),..u.tl - ~ l!""\ ",., : J ~ •• T.",.jrAnc, :.::.:.

""tr',.~.n : J~

, I

; .

! ';

! .

D,ar At Kotob Library Number: 86316 \ 2.0011

lS.B,N: 911-600S-14-4

: ":

n

Dar AJ. .. Manarah for 'Translation, Publishmg & Distribution is pleased to present- the first edition of the Biography oj the Rightly=Ouided Caliphs. In answer to the deluge of mail we have. received, aU requesting a book on the life stories of the righteous caliphs who exertedall efforts in defending Islam and conveying it message to all corners OF the earth, we undertook this task in an attempt to offer our readers, a comprehensive. coverage of the biographies of venerable caliphs.

We are so grateful to our team for their relentless, though certainly much appreciated, effort clearly manifested all through the book,

I' I

, I

, ,

. I

, I

HI

.• _ ~ , ' _ "R_.M_. __ . I

Table of Contents

Foreword! .... " '. , , . , ., " , '" , , ,", .. , " + " • , •••••••• '" •• , , •• , •• , ... '" "" " • , , ••••••• ' ... " ... , • , • x:

Abu Bakr ~ .. Sideeq

Name and Lineage, .. ,." ' '., ".,', , , " .. ,,;,,4

An Ideal .Character in Jahiliyyah (the Pre-Islamic Period) .. +"".4

Qur' anic Verses Revealed in Reference to Abu Bakr.. , 6

Hadiths on the Virtues of Abu Bakr A~one " .. , .. " 12

Hadiths on '[he Virtues of Abu Bakr together with

, Umar ;' " '.' " ",,, .. ,,, ,,' , n+ .. ' , 18

The Prophet's Companions and Early Muslims Speak of Abu

Bakr .. "'." .. ,.. OT ' ," .. ' .' " •• + ••• '.r _." , , ,. .21

Abu Bakr is Called A§...c~wdeeq." , ' " ' 22

Second or the Two ,," " .. , , , . '",' . "' ' "'- " , .. , , ,. , " " '23-

Abu Bakr: the Best of the Prophet's Companions, " ,.,. 28

Abu Bakr: the Bravest Companion, , , , ", H+ 30

Abu Bake 'the Most Generous Companion .. ' '., .. , " _"., ,,31

Abu Baler: the Most Knowledgeable and Intelligent

Compan ~OLl •• "', •.•.. ' " " . "', , ,. , , . " , ' •. ' '" .. " .•• , • "' , .. ,33

Abu Bakr's Steadfastness upon the Death of me Prophet, ,36

Abu Baler's Scrupulous Conscience , , + •••••• A3

Abu Bruer's Uner Fear of Allah ,,, " , .. , 44

Abu, Bakr Never Reveals the Prophet's Secrets , "" A5

Abu Bakr 1 s Tender Heart. " .. ""' + .. + , " , , .46

Abu Bakr's Interpretaticn of Dreams , ' ' 47

Verses." Hadiths and Scnolars Saying Referring to Abu. Bak's

Caliphate " .. ' " .. ' ", "" ' ', ' .. " ". "", .. ,,,, " .48

Abu Bakr Elected Caliph , " "" + " " 51

The First Address.. '", .. " , n. '", . , " .. ", , ' ' ,., .. + 54

Abu Baler Sends out Usamah's Punitive: Expedition, , 54

'Wars of Apostasy .. " H .",' ••• , •••••••• '" ,,, ••••• '.,. " , _ ", .. , .. ~.57

Fighting the Ztlkaah Withholders" " , ,.59

The Battle of Dhul Qissah " " ,', ,.62

IV

Campaigns against the Apostates , , .. , 65

Campaign against IuJayhah, ", " , , ,.,68

Sajaah, the False Prophetess , ,. , 71

Campaign. Against Mnsaylamah Al-!(hadhaab (The Liar) 78

The Battle of .. Aqraba , , " ,,,, 80

The Battle of the Garden." " ".d H " .• 82

Th.e Treaty of Yamaamah ............•..• ,., ,." " 83

The Apostates of Bahrain , .. " 86

Campaigns in Oman and Mahrah , ,' ,.90

The Battle of Daba, 91

Campaign in Yemen 0 .. "'·0" H 93

The Conquests in the L i fetime of A~-Sideeq., " 94

The Motives behind Mus lim Conquests "." , ,,:94

Aims of Muslim conquests n ", 97

The Conquest of Iraq., , , , '.' .99

The Battle of Chains ; , " , 99

The B attle of Madhaar. .. H • H '+ ,; ; " 1. 0 1

The Battle of Walajah , 102

The Battle of Ulays , 104

The: Conquest of Al-Heerah , . , , . , ' " , .. , .. 106

The Conquest of Al-Anbaar , ]08

The Conquest of .. Ayn At-Tamr ", 1 U)

The Conquest of Doomat Al-Jandal 113

The Bame of f]raad , .. , ; "',, , .. , l14

The Conquest of Ash-Shaam , .. , 115

The Battle of Yarmook. ., ,., l16

Invaluable Sermons of A~·~§ideeq " " " 121

Some of His Wise Sayings. "n "''', 125

Abu Bakr's Pioneering Works " " 126

Abu Bakr: the First. to Collect the Qur'an , 127

Hadahs Reported by Abu Bakr..; H.· 129

v

Abu Baler's Last Illuess " " " , " , 132

Abu Bakr Nominates "Umar as Caliph " ,. 132

Abu Baler's Advice to the. New Caliph ", ,"" ,," 235

When ItW as Thne to Meet His End , .. ' , , . a •••• ' , + •• 136

"" Umar Ibn AI- Khattaab:

His Early Days .. ,,, , ' .. ' ".', .. '. ", ' .. '" ".' ' 142

"Umar Embraces Islam .. , " ".H .. 142

.. Umar Migrates Despite the Disbelievers , , " .. ".150

Hadith on the Virtues of ·U:mar " .. , , 151

The Prophet r s Companions and Early Muslims Speak of

.. Umar .. ' " " ,.' .. ' , ,.., ' , , " ,.l55

Ins.tancesWhen the Divine Revelation Coneorded with

.' "'U' I V"+' .

I . m,ar S '. ~ew " .. ' ","' ., ' '''. ,,. .' ,., , '., , 157

'. Umar's Miracles, , ' , '., .. ' ,.., .. " ' , " 160

The Prophet Gives '. Umar the Glad Tidings That He Will Be

Admitted to Paradise , , + •••• ' 162

"Umar' s Steadfast Faith., , ,', , 163-

"Umar's Vast Knowledge ,'" , 164

An Invaluable Advice from Al-Farooq r Umar) , " 165

~ Umar Highly Revered By All "" " , , .166

"Umar's Insight During the Expedition of Tabook, , 168

.. Umar's Utter Devotionm Worship "" 169

~ Umar, an Example to Be Followed .., , "'., 170

" .. Umar's Exemplary Generosity , .. 1'72

., Umar Mourns the Prophet f s Death .. ' , ,. " , 174

.. Umar Pledges Allegiance to Abu Bakr " .1.76

i

! ,." Umar Assumes rhe Caliphate " " , 176

i ! .. Umar's Memorable; Speeches. .• " ' 178

"Umar, a Matchless Caliph ,', " , ,,, 180

~ Umar's Famous Night Patrols , , , .. , , l81

.. Umar's Exemplary Justice 183

.. Umar's Unique Loyalty and Gratitude " " , 185

" U mar. Piety Incarnate s e a " , + 187

VI

.: I

, i

, .

ii _. : ... :

- .. _.. ~ . . I I

, .. - ... - .. -.--- ....... -~ , .. \ ~.-.'

.. Umar's Exemplary Austerity .. , " .. , .. " , , " 189

"Umar's Endless Humbleness , 192

., Umar Follows the Example of tile Prophet ., ., . ., l95

Highlights on .. Umar's life ., "." .. " 191

, Ulnar: A Pioneering Mentality + , , • , • , + ••••• , •••••••• , ••••••• 199

Events in the Life of" Umar " .200]

.. Umar's Endless Tolerance .>" , .. , ,,, 20.5,

.. Umar's Mercy on His Subjects " " + .. ,." 206

.. Umar: The Founder of mhe Muslim State , " 209

Refuting Allegations Concerning .. Umar's Deposing Khalid Ibn

. W 1 d 2]7'

.Al- '. aleed . "., " , " " .:." , "" , ' .

Muslims' Conquests in .. Umar's Era , , " .. .219

, Ulnar Ibn Al ~ Khattaab Takes Over ", "." .. " ,.220'

- ~

The· Battle of Al- Y armook " , .. " " " .. " 22]

The Battles in Iraq ', " .. , ' " ." , 226

The Battle of the Bridge .. ". '" " " , , 227

Th.e Battle- of Al-Qadissiyah , , .. , .. , , , 229'

The Conquest of Jerusalem ., , .. ,," " 237

The Conquest of Egypt. , "" .. , , 2.46

The Babtllon Castle ;., " .. " " " 253

When It Was Time to Go " " 258

Tille, Prophet's Companions Commend' Umar " : 267

Among "Umar's Memorable Words , , 268

.. Uthmaan Ibn .. Affaan:

His Early Days , 273

His Personal Appearance " , , 273

~ Uthmaan Embraces Islam.i.v., , , " .. 274

~ Udunaan Earns the, Title Dh_un-Noor-a)'N (Owner of the Two

Lights) , " , , " , 276,

The Angels Fee] Bashful in the Presence Of' Uthmaan 276

fladiths on the Virtues of 'U~hmaarn, ," .. , " " ,., 277

" U thmaan as. a Great Schola r "' '" " .. , " , 279

VB

~ U thmaan Elected Ca)j P~), .,. " " " . , " .. " , -- .280

.. Uthmaan's First Address " ".- ,._ ",.+ 285

The First Case before' Uthmaan " " , 288

Conquests in the Life- T~me of '. Uthmaan +." •••••• , •••••••••• " • ,28.8

Rebellion of Azerbaijan and Armenia , , " .. 290

Byzantine Invasion of Alexandria ,. " " .. " " .2'91

Conquest of Khurasan and Tabrastan , ,. ".,,, _ ,,291

Conquest of North Africa" " " "" " " , . .292

The Conquest of Cyprus.; "." " .. " .. , .. " .. " . ., , 292

The Battle of Dhaat A~-§.awaari (3l Ali - 652 AC) , 295

Uthrnan I s Pioneeri ng acts I •• " ••• , •••••• , ••••••••••••• , •••••••• ," •• ,,295

Off]cia[ Manuscript of the Glorious Qur'an "' - , 296

Extension of the Prophet's Mosque ' .. "'" .297

.. UI'II"'m· a c .! .. T- 'ri a)'297, .

. ' z, : an s [.. , -. . , " - H " •• , " •• ' •• '", '" , '...

.M.a in Causes '" ' " "' .. + " " •• ,," • ," • ' ," , ,. " "" 299

Who Is .. Abdullaah Ibn Saba'? And What Is His Relation to we

S di " ? 3,0· 5

_ e 'j non : ., ... , .... I •••••••••••••••••• " , •••• " ••••••• , •••••••••• " ••• , ••••••••••• ' • ,. " '. ~

The Caliph' s Meeting with the Governors of Provinces ..... " 312

" -

The Siege of Caliph' s House and His Martyrdom .. , ... """" .... 314

' .. A:~i Ibn Abl Taalib

Name and lineage .. ., ". " .. "." ;"" " I ••• ''' .321

His Personal Appearance " , """".322

His Embracing of Islam. , " , ' .. " ,., .322

Hadiths on His Virmes ,.,,, .. " , , ' , ", .. 324

"' A~]'s Exegesis of the Qur'au n. ,." , •• ' " ,_.327

Some of His Wise Sayings " ,"' 327

Some of .. Ali's W~se Sayings, Sermons and. Mora] Vahres.,,329

Some Merits of the Commander of Faithfu! , ' " .338

A Brief Sketch of . AJi' s Private Life. Islamic Legal Rulings

d W'" ·d- 3-4-·1

an , .. '. () r [ S. ; ' .. " , .•. , , " ; .. ..

The Hadiths Narrated in Connection with the Khariji'res _.348

VUI'

, An, May Allah Be Pleased With Him" Takes over , 352

Revenge. '," ' .. , .. , " "' ," . " , .. " ,. , .. ,'" " , " , .352

D ismisslng the Governors .. ",. + , •• , ., , , + , ••• ' ••• , •••• , ••• , •••••••••• '" • "' •• , .353

The Situation between ~ Ali and MiIlJ~aw~yah Flares np .. ,,,.,, 355

The Batde of Al-Jamal (the Camel) """ .. , " .. " .,.", 356-

The Aftermath 'of AJ-J amal Battle '" + •• + •• , .. a .. , ,360

The Preparation for the Bartle of Sifeen " , 361

The Battle of Siffeen. .. ,., .. , .. " " .. " ", .. " 363

The A rbitration , . ., .. , " ., '" " ",' ,'" .' ' , ' .. , .. " " 366

The ,Kb.arijite,s .. , u '.''"' ' ••• ''", " "" n" ••• ,.",.36,8

The Final Phase of . Ali' So Caliphate". ,' .. ; .. " , .. _ , .. , , ". , ,,369

TIie Death of the Commander of the Faitbful. .. " , .. " " .. 370

.. Ulnar Ibn .. Abel .. ., Azeez:

Name and Lineage , , " .. " H ••••• 375

An Ideal Boy 1n His Childhood, , , , .376

His Merits and VirtlJles,.,,,,.-, , , 376

.. Umar before Becoming the Caliph .. , , 380

His Caliphate ' _ , .. ,., ., , ' ",' '",. ,,,. ,,380

.. Umar's Exemplary Justice ,' , ' ", ,. ''' 383

.. U' ~_ I, A"· c ' " "I ' L"~ 3' '8'·5'

.mar s iscenc l.e , , , , , - __ 'c'

His Sense of Responsibility, , ' , , 386

"Umar Loathed Brides .. , " , .. , .. 387

, U mar ~ the Caliph. Emertains His Guests ,., " ,388

S f "'U' ., 's· ~ 3'91

ome o~maJ:r s peecnes , , ,' ,.' , .

_, Umar's Terminal Illness and Death ''', ' d, , •• 394

.. Umar's Advice to the New Caliph..; .. ,, , ,, , ,.- ... 395

The Caliph Passes Away , , .. , .. 396

'Umar's Last Speech, , , ,." " .. ,.396,

"' Umar's Caliphate and Stams,." 397

Referenees.... ,. "."' " ., ' " , 400

IX

Foreword

As the world has lately crossed the threshold of the twenty first century, hUll1.anity sinks deeper in a sea of lawlessness, depravity and greed, The :MusJ'im world is unfortunately no exception to the general rule. Hence emerges the need for a source of glowing sunshineat a time whea Muslims turned their backs Oil a history they ou.ght to take pride m, This is precisely what The Four Righteous Caliphs humbly aspires to be .. For years on end, Muslims have absndoned theh' matchless source of power and dignity. It is only naltu.nl~., therefore, that they were sadly brought to their knees at dile hands of their meane-st enemies. Present day Muslims are no longer the same people whom Allah speaks of saylng:

"Thus have We made o!yollanUmrnnh.jUsdy bfllt.mc,ed, that ye might be witnesses Ol'er th.e' tuuions." (Al Baqarah: 143)

I!'.ye are tne best of Peoples; evolved lor mankind" enjoining what is right; foroidding what is wrong" and believing in Allah. n (Ali "Imraan: 110)

The real value of this book which elaborately deals with [be life stories of the four Rightly-Guided Caliphs, in addition to that of .. Umar Ibn' Abdel- .. Azeez, is indeed considerable. The significance of contemplating thejr ~ilife histcries is. in fact three fold. Firstly, all 'five caliphs lived at a particularly critical juncture in the history of Islam .. The revelation of Islam was in every sense a serious: event that shook ~lliIe entire of the Areb .

X

Peninsula. Prophet .MU.!!(U1UIl~d,. peace and blessings be upon him, took the helm of an init]aHy meager group of followersthat continued to grow and spread by the day tin the banner of lslam eventually managed to flutter despite litsgrudging enemies"

Nonetheless> the death of Prop bel .M.ll.!!amrnad, peace and blessings be upon him, was indeed a hea vy blow that the: yet blooming MiLI.sHm nation strove, to survive-.Re:alizing the enormity of their ]OS8, Muslims shuddered. shed bitter tears and were muddled and confused. At (hat point, Islam was definitely a;.~ stake, Many 0'[" those who falsely claimed [,0 have embraced Islam were quick to revert to their blind ignorance and despicable life of' vice and orderlessness, Driven bymre intrepidity and dauntlessness, Abu Bakr A~-§_ideeq,may Allah be pleased with him. firmly took charge of the situation fiercely battling whoever even so much as toyed with the idea of slipping back into atheism. Since drastic maladies call for drastic remedies, Abu Bah was just the man for the job, with a heart filled with true faith, unblemished by the slightest trace of fear or hesitation. It is therefore safem s.a.y that the sword Abu Bakr boldly unsheathed in the face of the enemies of [slam was literally a new lease on life for it,

Afterwards. Hie constantly expanding Muslim state was stepping into another phase during which Islam spread outside-the Arab Peninsula, to extend tofamway areas such as Syria; Iraq and Egypt. The responsibility was by no means simple. Further, a continuallyexpanding state, in its own, required imple-menting a well-established, full-fledged. system. of governmenr, Hence, the state whose fouudations were laid down by Abu Bakr wars then capably governed by ~ Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab, llDJJ1Y Allah be pleased wh~h him, in. a way that can only be compared to that of prophets, Sending out massivearmies to foreign lands In order to spread Tslam and simultaneously delineating a well -rhought-of system of government that he C]"(JwI1ed with his wisdom, justice 2I!]lJ,d piety were weighty tasks that only a firm, relentless man like

X~

.. Umar Ibn A]~l(ha~aab could have handled.

When .. Uthmaan Ibn .. Affaan came into offlce, he was to shoulder quite a responsibility. ... Umar Ibn AI-Khanaab had died leavi ng him a far-stretching em!plw'n~~ that yet con[inu~d to grow, With natural E,enieEil'-e3nd tenderness of heart. "Uthmaan Ibn "Affaan, may Allah be pleased with him succeeded in getdng Muslims to take part in governing the state without allowing matters to get out of hand. Moreover. during his rule. Muslims basked in abundance and pleruy, which did not necessarily have to be a blessing, but rather a west under wraps.

Then" Muslims came under ~he laudable rule of the fourth of the righteous caliphs" .. Ali Ibn Abi Taalib, may Allah be pleased with him, Placed a~ d'le. helm of a mature state that was, easier [0 rules using subtle strategies (I'U government rather (han faithful adherence to the ~aws of Allah, 'A~i adamantly abided by the true spirit of Islam, There was no way he would put. satisfying people before declaring the ulI.d'l and abolishing falsehood. Despite the fact r~hat, during the final years of his rules" Muslims underwent a rather turbulent period of their history. 'AJi Ibn Abi 'Taalih, may Allah be pleased with him, remained an example to be followed in piety. wisdomfirmness and intrepidity . One is not to be surprised for he. was a 'true follower of Prophet Mohammed, peace and blessings be upon him. who adopted. Islam as a child and whose sole role mode] was Allah; s Messenger.

Last, though by no means least, the righteous caliphs were crowned by 'U mar Ibn "Ahdnl " Azeez. 'U mall was such an exceptional figure rnn the history of Mus I im rulers to the point that be is generally referred ~o as ~~le ~'fii~UI '" of the righteous, caliphs, although he 1 ived many years after the decease of rthe last of them, During the rule of' Umar Ibn' Abdul' Azeez, the MnsJi.1Il1 state had assumed. a whole new dimension that called for a subtle ruler with wisdom, and perception. Furthee •. Umar Ibn. ~ Abdul . Azee . z is best famous for hrns matchless justice, for which he later became

xn

an o,utsrandingexamp]e to follow. Hence. thanks to his piety. together WDt11J his endless fear of Allah, "Umar Ibn "Abdul '" Azee'l was seen as capable: of holding the candle to the four righteous caliphs" the likes of whom never trod on earth anew.

Hence, it becomes evident that those early years, of Muslim history bore many challenges and trials. It goes without saying that men who were in charge of Muslims then were certainly paragons of matchless virtue. faith and character. Contrary to aM rules, opposing extremes managed. to exist inside their hearts in a way that rendered them memorable role models for every Muslim to follow. Allah. exalted be He, one more than one occasion describes them saying:

~~ ~~'! ,; (,~~-~j,~ ~,; t'f~J ,~ :S.h ',)JA,l$ ~ ~)l:p J~J ~,·~I ~

_, ,., 0" Iir" .' pi _ • ._ ; '_" - _'" "" "'" ',' ~., - ':;I. ... ., -JiI -, ~ I'

. , I: II r:..-.l,:.; ..

Cf'r : ytj:"'~') "~~ lyol.!

("Am,ong the Beliel1ers are men whQ have been true to their Covenant w'ith Allah: of them some Iuue cOItlpleted their vow (tv the: extreltUJ)j lUM some (s,till) wait:' but they ,have never chOJlge'(l (thei,' d:etennination) in the least:" (AI-Ahzaab: 23)

~'BymeJl wham neither tl'a/fie .nOT merchandise can iIIY'ert/rom the JleulembrtUlce oj Allah, nor from regular Prayer, nor from tlfe practice of regular Chadty~· Their (only) fear is for the Day when hearts and eyes will' be transformed (i'n wor-Jd w'hol:~y IJew), n (An Noor: 37)

.:Ii" c;.o:' r.. '" PO" J'" a 1 j ... :i ... L !=" PI' , ... f,.....!' .... ~.. I" --: ~ ii' ... ; ! ~ ~

~ WJ1 ...#' j ~~~ ~ ~~ ~):'.~'J )L,Q,j,'I.UJ ~r~' ~ 0YJ"J~ iJ ~t:.J1j

- .:). ..... " pi ., ... ' .lI"

~ I .,.,$ , 'f J ~ ,"'., f" .l"". ...

"~ ~~ih jJ.tVl, ~J, IJ.;,"I ~ ~~1J;. )~"iI'i ~ 0$;'; ~G:- ~ ~l J ~. I~.)j

... rll!l

(~ " • :~jdl)

XIll

ffTl,e vanguard (of Islam;) -- the jirstoj tnoee who forsook (tlu:ir hmmJs) at~d of thoee who gav.e the,n aid,. and (also) those who jullow them in ,(all) good deed« -- well-pleased ts A.Jlah with them, as ,they are with Him: for tltem hatllHe prepared garde.ns under ",.hich riser» flow', to dwell therein foreve»: that is the supreme Felicity.. " (At Tawbah: 100)

_, :r. :I " .;:. J:.:'... :: ::;: ..,. i" J' ~ ~

~ _,..J~j ,~ ,;s- J ~I.} ~~::t ~~J d~~ ~ ~,~~ .\.U ,~~,lJ :illl J~ J ~

~'~:_;J~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~,1 )1 :; ~ ~~. J ,~~ lJ~jJ~~ ~~ .J. ~~

... .;. ~ ,~_.,~ _. _ ... ~.If' _. .. ~...,.. _, Ii..... - • ~... _.

t')j...J~ ~ ~~ ~ ~:;.:..\!. ~,,~~ ~Jjij a~[~~ ~JJr ~.~, J l~~ J

c» .' _ " .. _ :::. _::;, ........ ~ Al ,i1 _,

i!~ ~ 'ft·~, ~~~-ec~~: ~~t4J~ ~.~) 'I~r~~~ .w~ ~ J Jtj$J1 i4: ~

("1\:~1,)

f'Muitammad is the Messenger of Allah; and" thosew.ha are wll}l him are stron.g against UnbelieYf'"S, (bul) compassion.ate aJnong each other. Thou wilt see them bow and prostrate them.selv,es (in prttye'l')~ seeking oGroce JI'mn. Allah and (His) Good Pleasur«. On thei', faces are marks, (beillg) the tl'aceso/ tnei'r prostration. Ttds is their similitude in the Tawrah; and their similitude in the Gospel is like a seed which sctt(ls fa.rth .its blade, then makes its S'tt()'ttg: it then becomes thick~ (lIul it stands on its own, stem, (filling) the SQw,ers it wQ'llldw(Jftder and delight. .A.sa result, it fills the 1m be lieve rs with rage at them. Allah haspl'omised tlwse among tllel11,tll/w believe and ,do righteous deeds f(Jrgi~elles:SJ {lml a great Reward." (Al-Path: 29)

Secondly, ~h~s book proves [0 be especi ally significant due to the fact that it breathes a new vigorous. spirit into the younger generations. Byand large; reading Islamic history Ell general and [he life stories 0[' the righteous caliphs in particular is an essential step along the way to resurrecting the Muslim nation that once led the entire world. Getting acquainted with such spectacular examples can only lead Muslims to shakeoff ignorance. in which it is shrouded.

XIV

Thirdly ~ a book thalli seeks to highlight numerous aspects of

" the life histories of Muslim leading figures since the decease of tile prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, is not, solely an interesting reading material. It also, offers ample opportunity 'for Muslims to draw lessons. and reflect on ~he real significance of incidents and events. The life of every 'Muslim caliph. featured in the book abouudsin situations thae succeeding generations continue to look back on and learn from, Similarly, more than fourteen centuries later. their words, are frequently quoted and widely revered, At a time when. the world in general, and youth in specific, no longer have a role model to look up to, this book proves to be highly invaluable. Not only does it offer ~ts readers a review of important historical events that considerabl y contributed In shaping Islamic history, italso offers Muslim youth shining examples that give them hope for a better future.

It is with great pleasure and pride dtat we present The Four Righu:ous Caliphs to our readers hoping that it will peeve of someinte rest and use to them. Needles s to say, compiting the life histories of the leading figures in Islamic history was by no means an easy job. Bvery care has. been taken to include aspects of their characters and situations in their lives that are of particular significance to readers. We therefore invite every reader of the book to step outside the present realms of time and space- and to prepare to encounter people, the likes of whom the world 'has no longer known s i nee their demise, The book is indeed a trip intoa world 0[:' absolute virtue. genuine unshaken faitn as well as admirable fear of Allah. A. reader can only marvel at those unique M~s]hns who deservedly merired Allah's satisfa.ction and handsome reward, We pray that readers will 'come to enj oy reading "[be book and also 00 able to benefit from it, leaving no chance for enemies of Islam to anempt to dig holes in our venerable Islamic history ..

xv

Aibbreviatious Used

AC Af;ter Christ

AH After Hijrah

Trausllteratlen ,of Arabic Words and Names

The: following table shows the system fotlowed ~n transliterating £he letters of the Arabic alphabet:

A T

Aa (kmg vowel) Z

B

H

, (inverted apostrophe} Gh

F

Q

Ie

L

~I

T

Th

< ... '

It,.,

Kh

J

D

M

Dh

R

H.

S D

w (consonant) 00 {long' vowel) y (consonant)

ee (long vowel)

J

z S Sh

I' (apostrophe) XVI

Ab' B" k-" A' S'" " IId-o

,- , '. ' -, .---,_ I ,,-,':".--:._ ,', .':. _ ,_~J -,'/, _' ,: r- _.- .. "~," _' .. ,.' 'J,'

.······u ,_. ·8·r ..• !- __ , · .. ·eeq

may Allah be pleased with. him

"The most bountiful oj men unto me in his companionship and sacrifice of his wealth is Abu Bakr. If I were to choose a bosom friend (Khaleel), l would choose Abu Bakr. but companionship and brotherhood in Islam. will remain until Allah unites us in His Presence"

.' Name and Lineage

• An Ideal Character in Jahiliyyah (the Pre-Islamic Period)

• Qur'anic Verses. Revealed in Reference to Abu Bakr .' Hadiihs on the Virtues of Abu Bakr Alone

• Hadiths on the Virtues of Abu Baler together with ' Umar

• The Prophet IS Comparrions and Early Muslims Speak of

Abu Bakr

.. Abu Bakr is Called As=Sideeq .. Second of the Two = -

• Abu Bakr: the Best of the Prophet's Companions

• Abu Bakr: the Bravest Companion

'. Abu Bakr: [he Most Generous Companion

• Abu Bake the Most Knowledgeable and Intelligent

Compamon

• Abu Bakr's Steadfastness upon the Death of the Prophet

• Abu Bakr's Scrupulous Conscience

• Abu Bakr's Utter Fear of Allah

• Abu Bakr Never Reveals the Prophet's Secrets

• Abu Bakr's Tender Heart

• Abu Bakr' So Interpretation of Dreams

'. Verses, Hadiths and Scholars Saying Referring to Abu

Bak~s Caliphate -

'. Abu Bakr Elected Caliph

• The Fi rst Address

'. Abu Bakr Sends out Usamah' s Punitive Expedition ·W·ars of Apostasy

• Fighting the Zakaah. Withholders

• The Battle of Dhul Qissah

• Campaigns against t.he Apostates

• Campaign against ,tulayhah

• Sajaa!!~ the False Prophetess '. The Battle of ' Aqraba

• The Battle of the, Garden

• The Treaty of Yamaamah ., The Apostates of Bahrain

• Campaigns ~n Oman and Mahrah

• The Ba ttle of Daba

• C ampaign in Yemen

• The: Conquests in the Lifetime of A~~.§. j deeq

2

·' The Motives behind Muslim Conquests

• Aims of Mus l hn conquests

• The Conquest of Iraq

• The Battle of Chains

" The Battle of Madhaar • The Battle of Walajahh .' The Battle of Ulays

• The Conquest of Al-Heerah

• The Conquest of Al-Anbaar

• The Conquest of ' Ayn At- Tamr

.. The Conquest of Deornat Al-Jandal • The Battte of Plraad

.' The Conquest of A'Sh-Shmllu

• The Battle 'Of Yarmeok

• Invaluable Sermons of A~-Sideeq .. Some of His Wise Sayings

• Abu Bakr's Pioneering Works

" Abu Bakr: t1he First to Collect the Qur'an

• Hadiths Reported by Abu Bakr

• Abu Bakrs Last Illness

• Abu Bakr Nominates .. U mar as Ca~~ph

• Abu Bakr s Advice to the New Caliph

• Whenlt 'W'as Time to Meet His End

Name and Lineage:

Born in Makkah (Mecca) in 573 AC~ Abu Bakr AsSiddeeq, may Allah be pleased with him. was two years. younger than Prophet Mu!!amrnad,~ peace and blessings be upon him. He belonged to at respectable and noble family, Banu Tameern, a branch of the tribe of Quraysh, He shares the same lineage with Prophet MuhanUltmd; peace and blessings be upon him. in Banu Murrah.

Abu Bakr was not his real name: his name was "Abdullaah. His father's name was' Uthmaan Ibn ~ Aamir, who was known by his parrcnymic name, Abu Quhafah, In his Tahdheeb, An-Nawawi states: His [lame was ., Abdullaah. This vlew is believed to be the most correct. It is said that Abu Bakr was known by the nair lie • Ateeq (the freed person): however; the majority of scholars agree that "Areeq was his surname.

The: Mother of the Believers, "Aa'jshah, may Allah be pleased with her. reports that she wag in the Prophet' 8 house while his Companions were sitting In the courtyard, witha barrier between them, and her. When Abu Bakr came, the Prophet said: 11 'Wboever is pleased to look at a man N4w has been freed of the Hell-Fire ('Ateeq),. let him look tu this man {pointing at Abu Bakr) , "(Reported by At-Tirmidhi.) In another version, "Aa'Ishah. may Allah be pleased with her, reports that the Prophet, peace and blessings he upon him, said to Abu Bakr: "Be of good cheer, yon are "Ateeq (freed) ollhe HellFire. 'An I ishah added; Ever since OWl day he has been called "Ateeq. I' (Reponed by At-Tirmk1_h·i.)

An Ideal Character in Jalliliyyah (the Pre-Islamle Period):

Since iris boyhood, Abu Bakr was quiet and sincere, He was very honest and truthful, He was a softhearted man and keenly felt others' sufferings and miseries. He used to help the: poor, the needy, the distressed and the downtrodden.

4

Before he embraced lslam, he was a falrly wealthy merchant. a respected character of amiable and compassionate demeanor. Because of his honesty, people trusted him and. often left their 'money with him. for safekeeping. His nobility and truthfulness soon made him a rich trader ..

Ibn Ishaaq narrates: Abu Bakr was a mall whom society desired, well liked and of easy manners .. He knew more about the genealogy of Quraysh than anyone else, and knew their faults and merits. He was a merchant of high character and. kindness. The people of Quraysh used W visit him [0 discuss many matters with him; because of his vast knowledge. experience in commerce. and. his sociable nature .

. Even before embracing Islam, he abhorred most of the customs and 'traditions or Jalziliyyah (the pre-Islamic period). He never drank akoho], nor did he join in the worship of idols, practiced by his contemporaries. Because of his sterling character, he was the closest friend of 'the Prophet; peace and blessings be upon him; since his youth, and their companionship proved tobe lite-tong. He also accompanied the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, in some of his trade missions. Actually. these qualities were soon W serve the noblest Cause of Allah,

, Aa I ishah, may Allah 'be pleased withher, is reported to have said: "By Allah, Abu Bakr never composed poetry neither before nor after embracing Islam. He,. together 'with ~ Uthmaan, refrained from drinking alcohol in Jahiliyyah, n {Reported by Ibn .. Asaakir with at good chain of narrators.)

On the authority of Abu Al-' Aaliyalt Ar-Rayhaani 'who narrates: While people were sitting in the company of some Companions of the Prophet. peace and blessings be upon him, Abu Bakr was asked, "Did you drink alcohol in Jahlliyyah? He replied, "Allah forbid!" When he was asked 'why he did not do so he answered: "). was keen on preserving my sense of honor and decorous character, while the one who drinks alcohol does not show concern for preserving fais honor or character. The.

narrator added, "When the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him" was informed of what he (Abu Bakr) sa~d.he remarked, II Abu Bakr has spoken the truth Abu Bakr has spoken. 'the truth . i'I (Reported by Ibu ., Asaaki r with a strange chain of narrators.)

Abu Bakr, may Allah Ibe pleaded with him; said in the presence of some Companions: "1 never prostrated myself before an idol . That is because when I reached tile age of pubei ty, my father, Abu Quhafah, took me by the hand and wern to a chamber in which were some idols. and said to me, "The-e are your mighty and supreme deities. I He then left me and weru away, 1 approached one, idol and began. to entreat; ! I' m hungry, so feed me I, but it did not respond. I prayed agajn, 'I'm naked, so clothe me, I yet jt did not reply. So I hurled it with some rock and it fen down",

Thus Abu Bakr was an ideal character even before accepting Islam. Iris no wonder, therefore. that he is regarded as the best man after fhe Prophet, as the latter is reported to have said: "Those who Ho'e're the best amongst you In JohlUyyah, are the best after embracing Islam. provided they comprehend religions knowledge." (Reported by Al~BukharL)

Qurl ante Verses Revealed in Reference to Abu Bakr:

Glory belongs only to Almighty Allah; however, He grants virme, merit and dignity to whomsoever He pleases. When AUab accords anyone with noble status, no mortal being can disgrace or degrade him without himself being hmniliated. The status of Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with hirn, was so elevated that a host of Qur'anic verses make reference to him. thus continuing his virtues and merits, Here are some examples:

Allah, Exalted be He, says:

Iii

" _.."..,..,. f'- ...;:i ~I _. ill J: ~ !Ii' _ f.ii ;:., .r

Ii~ ~lU' J-~~' LW. il.H ~\ J,-;,J ~ .~.~ J ~ .:,~ ,11l~. j. ~ ~~ .. ..:.-rJ; :.' .. ~ 'jJlI

.-"" . _'_' . '.11 ,r, ,J - _. . .- ..,. _;;.=--.. .: ~ ~ ~ V" ~

.... i" .- ... ..........

(£ .. :~p~)

I' ••• .they tWO' w,ere in the Cave .~atltl he said to his cm.npanl~on, ha'l8' 110 fear, for Allah is with, US~· the» Allah sent down his peace upon him. rt (At- Tawbah: 40) Muslim scholars have unanimously agreed that the "companion I! referred to in this verse. is Abu Bakr A§_-~:ideeq ,Inay Allah be pkasJed. wi th him.

Ibn "Abbaas is reported to have explained the. verse,

< t ~ :~;:J'I) "~ ;j::;"~ .llH Jj.~i!

1~ ... then Allah sent down his peace llpml himlf (At-Tawbah: 40) saying: "upon him" means upon Abu Bakr, as serenity was already inherentm the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, (Reported by Ibn Abi Haatim.)

Ibn Mas' ood repo rts that Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, purchased Bilaal (who was a slave to) Umayyah Ibn Khalaf and Ubayy Ibn Khalaf, and. set him free for Allah's Sake, Then Allah Almighty revealed the verses:

. .,

,( .. ~ : I. n .~) "~ \~I .I·H~J."

. I~.· ._ ... ~~~.

up to

rrVerllYJ (Itt! eluls)ye strive for are diverse. 11' (Al-Lay]: 1-4) i.e, the ends. of Abu Bakr, Umayyah and Ubayy (are diverse). {Reported by Ibn Abi Baatim.),

7

"Aamir Ibn' Abdellaah Ibn Az-Zubayr narrates: Abu Bakr used to fr-ee slaves and make them accept Islam in Makkah, He set free elderly men and women upon their acceptance of' Islam .. His father (Abu Quhafah) said to him:

"My. ,son~) see that you are freeing weak slaves. If you want to continue doing wast you do, why don't you free powerful men who could defend and protect you?" Abu Bakr said. "My effort in this regard js solely for the Sate of Allah, II h is. said that these verses were revealed in reference to him (Abu Bakr):

"So he wItt) gives (i" Charity) andje'aI'S (Altali)'" (Al-Layl: 5) (Reported by Ibn Jareer.)

~ Urawah is reported to have said: '!I Abu Bakr As-Sideeq. may Allah be pleased with him l freed seven people who were subjected to torture in Allah r s Cause. U was about him that the verse was revealed:

i" But tllose most d.evoted to .Allah slJall be-removed far f~Qm it (i.e. the HeU.-Fire)" up to the end (If the Surah. {Reported by Ibn Abi Haatirn and A!~Tabarall].)

.. Abdnllaah Ibn Az-Zubayr states; The Qur'anic verse,

n Altd hav'€ itl their mi..nds no Javor from any,on,e for which a reward is expected i'l n:turn "(Al-Layl: 19) up to the end of the Surah, was revealed in reference to Abu Bakr A~~~ideeq •. may

Allah be pleased with him. {Reported by Al-Bazzaar.)

"Aa'Ishah; may Allah be pleased with. her, is reported to have, said, that Abu Bakr, may Allah be: pleased with him, never broke his oath until Allsh, Exalted be He. revealed tile expiation for breaking one's oath. (Reported by Al-Bukhari.)

Ibn" Abbaas notes [hat the verse"

"; .• and COIlSltlt with. them upon the conduct of affairs'i" (Al-tIrnraan: 158) refers to Abu Baler and" Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both, (Repor~ed by Al-Haakim .. )

On tihe authority of Jbn Shawbacib who said [bat the: verse,

"Bu; for hin,,, will feareti» the standing before his w'rd there ar-e tKlog{Jrile,ns ;; (Ar-Rahmaan: 46) was reveled concerning Abu. Bakr ~ may Allah. be pleased with him. (Repo[ted! by Ibn Abi Haatim.)

U sayd Ibn Safwaan reports that .. Ali (Ibn Abi Taaliib) said cencermng the verse,

"And' he who brings .that truth and he wllO'conjirll1JJ (and supports) it s,l,cn are the men who do right. '" (Az-Zumar: 33) "he who brings the Truth rl refers to Prophet M'll!!auunad? peace and blessings be upon him" and "he who confirms (and

9

supports) U H refers to Abu Bakr As-Sideeq, may AUah be pleased with him. (Reported by Al-Bazzaar and ibn' Asaakir.)

Ibn .. Umar and. Ibm .. Abbaas are reportedto have said that ~he verse ~

It •••. atuJ .tll e righteous t111wng lite belie VetS rl (AT ~ Tabreem: 4) was revealed concerning Abu Bakr and .. Umar (Ibn A~Kha!!:~ab)

In his. exegesis of ~be Qur~[U.11, '" Abdullaah Ibn Abi Humayd reports :MujahLd to have said: "When the verse.

UAliala and .his Ang,els send blessin;g 011; the Pr-ophet: Oye that believe sena )Ie blessings OIl him, and salute .hlln with tIll respect" (A]-A!!zaab: 56) was revealed. Abu Bakr said, Never was anything good sent down you, Then the verse was revealed:

( f'r'::;,...I1 ;;:.-~i) '"~~.

" ..r . "." J

1!'He it isWh.o send bless,ings on you., as'· do His angels , thatH e ,nay bring YOlt otu from the .depths' oj.Darkness into Light: aud He is Full >()/ M:e'liCY to the Believers." (A~-Ahzaah: 43)

'AH Ibn Al-Husayn is reported to have said. that the

verse,

.i" ~ ,,' ,,_, . ...

(~. V··,,-.LI). 1f:.,t,iC:;;~-::. )"..j .... Ie', 1J'rQ;.~ ~:C. "'..;10.' .Aj .. ~ •. :·II.~.' ... ~'"I ~.~ ~\.'.I<·J .. 'n

" - '.'~- If...o~~ J,~ ~ "",.,.lI '4,,}"; V r .... - __ I..t~ ~ ~ -- ..T.,

..." " ...

ItAnd we shall remove frotn their .heu;rts an;y lurking sense ,q/ ilfjury: (they will be) bromer« (joyfully) jacing (Jach otner on tllro.nes (oj dignity)" (AI- Hij r: 47) was revealed conceming Abu Bakr ... Umar, and .. AlL (Reponed by Ibn "Asaakir.)

On the authority of Ibn .. A b baas: The verses,

( \ 0 :J~~I)t:~! ~~~}! ~W~I 'I~.:~JJ

. .

;/ We lioveenjoined 01.1 man. ki"dness {ohis parents" up to

(' ":~~~1) II~'J~ ~ ~j!k L$~i~::~'1 ~J';

-

'I ... a promise oftn#hj wllich W(ffl made to' them (iu this .life). ,rr (AI-Ahqaaf: 16) were revealed in reference to Abu Baler A!~ ~ideeq" may Allah be pleased with him. (Reported by Ibn "Asaakir.)

Ibn "Uyaynah isreported to-have said: AUa1b reproached an ~ihe companions who tailed to defend the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. except Abu Bakr, Then he recited the verse.

"I] ye ,help .BO,t (y.our Leader)" (it is ,JW matte.r): jor.Allah did indeed help him:, wh,en .the Unbelt(fvers dro1ve ,him tnu: he had 11

no more tJwu one companion: tJzey tow w,ere iJ:t the Cave, and be said to Ilis companion; have lU) fear, jor Allah is with us: then Allah sent down Jds peace upon him. Ir (At-Tawbah: 40)

Hediths on the Virtues of Abu Bakr A~one:

Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, is reported to have said, "I heard the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. saying': "'Whoever spends a pair ofsomething in Allah 's Causewili be calleafrom all tile gates of Paradise, " 0 Allah 's slave! This is good, "He wno is amongst those whQ pray, wil! be called from the gate of prayer (in Paradise); he who is from the people who petform Jihad (in the Cause of Allah) i-I'ill be called from, the gate of Jihad,' he who isfrom those who give in charily will be calledfrom the gate of charity; and he H!ho is amongst those who observe fast will be calledfrom the gate of Ar~.Ra'yyaan." Abu Bakr said: "He who will caned from all these gates is in no need of anything: will anyone be called from an those gates, 0 Messenger of A11ah?" "Yes," replied the Prophet,'!andl hope you will be among' them, Abu Bakr. !'r

Abu Sa' eed A]~Klludryy, may Allah be pleased with him, reports that the: Prophet; peace and blessings be upon him. said: "The most bountiful of men unto me in his companionship and sacrifice of his wealth is Abu Baler. If J were to take an intimate friend other than my Lord, I would take' Abu Bakr. But what binds us is the brotherhood of Islam: and its lave. 11 (Reported 'by Al-Bukhariand Moslern.)

Abu Ad-Dardaa'. may Ar~,ah be pleased with him, narrates: I was sitting witih the Prophet. peace and blessings be upon him. when Abu Bakr came, greeted US; and then said:

"There was a dispute. between, me and' Umar ~ and I made him angry. Then I felt remorse, followed him, and asked him to

forgive me" but he refused. so I come to you, (0 Messenger of Allahl). n The Prophet said thrice, "May A.llah forgive you, Abu Bakr. H In the meantime ., Umar repented and felt sorry for what he bad done, he went to Abu Bakr's house, but he did find. him at borne. Then he came to the Prophet, peace and. blessings be upon him, (and related the story to him); the Prophet's displeasure could be read from hls face, Seeing this." Abu Bakr felt, sorry for " Umar knelt in front of the Prophet, saying twice, I'Q Allah's Messenger! 'By Allah, I was. more al fault (than '. Umar) , " Allah's Messenger said; 1'0 people; 1.vhe111 said. / have been sent as a Messenger of Allah to you all; you said. j You are telling a lie, f'while Abu Bakr said, 'You have spoken the truth, and he gave me solace with his person and p rope rly. I Will you leave my companionalone once and for all? Will you: leave. my companionalal1e once and for all?};; After this; Abu Bakr was never harmed again. (Reported by Al-Bukharl and Moslem)

Ibn .. Umar, may A11ah be pleased with him, reports the Prophet. peace and blessings be upon him. to have said: "On the Day of Resurreaion. A.lla/1 wi U not look at a person lvho drags: his clothes of ostensasion .. I' On that Abu Bakr said, "0 Messenger of Allah'! One side of my clothes hangs ioose if I do not hold them place. The Prophet said, "You are not one of those who do that for the sake for ostentation. rr (Reponed by Al-Bukhari.)

Abu Huray rah, ma y Altah be pleased with him, narrates:

Allah's Messengee, peace and blessings be upon him. once said: "liV1~,o amongst' yau is fasting to day?" Abu, Bakr said, fha't The Prophet asked again. "Who amongst you has been ill a funeral procession? 'r Abu Bakr said, that The Prophet asked further.

""'ho amongst you has served food to the needy? PJ Abu Bakr said. that The Prophet asked again, ''l¥ho amongst you has visited a sick person today?" Abu Bakr said that he did all of

t3

the-se acts .. Thereupon Allah's Messenger. peace and blessings be upon h~1D, said: "'Whoever combines in. himself (all these virtues} 'will enter Paradise. j! (Reported by Moslem.)

Ibn ... Umar, may Allah be pleased with him. quotes the Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him. to have said to' Abu Bakr: "You are my companion at the AI~'H_mv.d (Fountl and ,my companion in the cave. ;; (Reponed by At-Tirmidhi)

'Abdunaah. Ibn Ahmad, may AUah be pleased with him, reports with a good chain of narrators, that the Prop bet. peace and blessings be upon him, said, "Abu Bakr is my intimate friend and my aJJclble companion: In the .cave. n'

Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with han, reports the Prophet, peace and blessings be uponhim, to have said: ~'What an excelleni man Abu. Bakr is. what an. excellent man .. Umar is ... rr _ (Reported by Al-Bukhari, Abu Da wood and AtTirmidhi.)

Abu Sat eed Al-Khudryyl1'eports AMah' So Messenger to

I have said; "People of higher ranks (in Paradise) will be seen bY' those beneati: them the way you: can detect a bright star shining in the sky. Abu: Bakr and 'Umar will be among them .. HOH! excellent they are!" (Reported by AhmaJd~ At-Tirmidhi, and Ibn t~ ibbaan. )

Anas '1bn Malik and' A~~ Ibn Abi Taalib, may Allah be

pleased with them both, narrate that Allah's Messenger, 'peace ;:

and blessings be upon him, said to Abu Bah and " Umar:

!Ti~ls is the Fmmr (of abundance} which A~lah mentions ill Surah, !·Al-Kawlhar".

On .I udgmen, Day, righteous MllIs~i.!.n$ willi be a.llowe(]l, to dri:nk, from tills fount, after wll~ch they wi!] 1l(J1 gnJ'w thirsty ~iier .1'l:§l<l.h1..

14

"Those two will be the chiefs of the old men in Paradise, both from. old and modern times, excluding Messengers and Prophets ... Do' not tell them of that, "AU.~· (Reponed by AtTirmidhi, )

Anas Ibn Malik narrates, !' The Prophet ascended the mountain of U~ud accompanied by Abu Bakr, "Umar and . Uthmaan, The mountain shook beneath them. The Prophet hit it with his foot and said, 1JO U~ud! Be firm, for on you there is none but a Prophet, a. ~iddee.q (Abn Bakr) and a martyr (i.e. and two martyrs). I' (Reported by Al-Bukhari, Abu Dawood and At = Tirmidhi.)

Ibn ~ Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both. reports that Ule Prophet. peace and blessings be upon him. said; "The Joost merciful .of my nation to my nation is Abu Bakr; the firmest in abiding by Allah's Commands is .. Umar; the mast bashful is 'Uthmaan: and the best in judgment is "Ali." {Reponed by Abmad. At- Tirmidhi and An-N asaa '! i .)

Sa" eed Ibn Jubayr, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates: "1 recited before the Prophet. peace and blessings be upon him, the verse.

'l ... to the righteous soul will he saidt) O {thO'(l} soul, in (cmnple.teJ rest and satis!ac.tio'I!lf (Al-Fajr: 27) Abu Bakr said. "What a good thing this is, 0 Messenger of Allah! II To this the Prophet said, "The Angel will say ttlO you when. you are dying. " (Reported by Ibn Haatim and Abu Nu' aym.)

Arias, may Allah be pleased with him, quotes the Prophet. peace and blessings be upon him. as saying: "It is

15

in cumbens upon my nation to love Abu Bakr and to show gratitude co him. " (Reported by Ibn "Asaakir.)

On the authority of "' Abdur-Rahmaan Ibn "Awf, may Allah be pleased with him.who reports that he heard Allah's Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, saying: "Abu Bakr will be admitted to Paradise. so witl 'Umar, so 'will

"Uthmaan; so wiU "Alit so will Tal!lah; so will Al.-ZulmY'J so wiII'Abdur~Ra!J!l1i1.an Ibn 'Alit: so will Sa "d Ibn Abi Waqqaa~, so wil! Sa "eed Ibn Zayd, so wil! Abu' Ubayd Ibn Al-Jarraah. r~ (Reponed by A~- Ti'nni,dhj.)

Abu Moosa Al-Ash ~ aryy narrates: "One day. I

performed abluti on (Wudoo ') in my house and then went out with the determination that J' would remain with Allah's. Messenger, peace and blessings. be upon him, and spend the whole daywith him. II I went to the Mosque and asked about the Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him .. They (the Companions) told me that he had gone in a certain direction, SOo 1 followed the road he took asking about him. I found him by a well called Arees. I sat by its gate? which was made of date-palm leaves, until the 'Prophet answered dIe call of 'nature and then performed Wudoo·r,! ~ I went up to him and he was sitting in 'Ehemiddle of its edge with his shanks uncovered and his legs danglmg in the well. I saluted him and went back and sat at the gate. I said, "Today J wJU be ~he gatekeeper of A11ah1s Messenger. t; Abu Bakr, may Allah. be pleased with him. came and knocked the door, and I asked, 'Who is it?" He s~id, I Abu Bakr.' I said. 'Wait, please, r and I went in and said" '0 Messenger of Allah here is Abu Bakr seeking permission to enter. The Prophet said, fj Bid him come in and give him me glad tidings that he will be admitted to Paradise. Ii SOo I went om and said to Abu Bakr, 'Corne in, and Allah's Messenger gives you the glad tidings that. you wm be admitted to Paradise.' Abu Bakr entered and sat on the right side of

16

AUah's Messenger by the edge of the well and hung his legs ][1 the well as jhe Prophet dtd and uncovered his legs. ] then retumed and sat (at the gate), 1 had reft my brother while he was performing Wudoo' and intending to follow me. So I said to myself: ~U Allah wishes good for so-and-so. i.ev rny brother. He will bring him here, Sudd.enly soureone moved, the door" and I asked. "Whoisi~?" He said, .. Umar Ibn AlKhattab, I asked him to wait, Then I went to Allah's Messenger, greeted him, and, said, 'Here ls "' Umar Ion AlKhanaab seeking permission to gel in.' The Prophet said:

"Admit him, and give him the glad tidings that lle wil! be admitted to Paradise. '''[ went back to - Umar, bade him come in, and said to hi,m,'AU~h's Messenger gives you the glad ridings rhat you, wi11be admitted to Paradise. t So he entered and sat down with Allah's Messenger on his left side and dangled his legs in the well""" " (Reponed by Al-Bukhari and Moslem)

Abi Mulaykah narrates: I ~'l,efllrd, U:m "Abbaas say: When "Umar Ibn AJ-Khagaab was placed in the bier, true people gathered around him praising him and supplicated for him before burial, and I was present. Nothing caught my attention bu ~ '1 nerson who g ripped '1'I"'i,y' shoul de ']' 'r!'O'ITI' b ehind 'I ~'U' ned

~,~, ~!, IV"" 0.:1'. " .. ,II " ",I,' .... !,.w, u. i:l\ .. ,-,,~I,U, t." , "",,tu ,J.j,. l 11,,,_, ' ..

and found that he was . Ali Ibu Abi Taalib. He invoked Allah's Mercy upon' Umar and said: "You have [eft none behind you (whose) deeds (are so enviable) chat I Jove to meet Allah with By Allah, I hoped that Allah wouldkeep you and your two Companions together, I had Oneil heard Allah's Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, say: "~I came mud there came too Abu Bakr and' Umar; entered and there entered too Abu Bakr and" Umar; 1 went out and' there went out too Abu Bakr and 'Umar. and I hope and think that AUah will' keep you along with them." (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Moslem.)

t1

Abu Bakr narrates: The Prophet once asked, "Did any of you se1e anything in his dream? ID A man said to the Prophet. "'0 Messenger of Allah. I saw in my dream as. if a balance came down from Heaven in which you were weighed against Abu Bakr and outweighed him, '[hen Abu Bakr was weighed

against Umar and outweighed him, then .. Umar was weighed

against Uthmaan and outweighed him, then the: balance was

raised up. ~I (Reponed by Abu Dawood and. At-Tirmidhi)

Hadiths on the Virtues of Abu Bakr 'wg,etberwith "Umar:

In addition to the praise of Allah, Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, received from the Prophet. peace and blessings be upon him, alone. the following Hadiths make mention. of Abu. Bakr together with" Umar Ibn Al-Khanaab,

On the authority of Abu Hnrayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, who says that he heard Allah's Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, s~y:"While a shepherd wc:s tending his sheep, a wolf attacked them and took away one sneep. 'When the shepherd chased the wolf, the tatter turned towards him and said, 'WiIG will be its guardon the' II day of 'wild beasts ~I, when there will be no shepherdfor it except me! A.nd wnlle a man W'QS driving a COl~J with a loadon it, it turned towards him and spoke to him saying, 'I have nat been created for this purpose (i.e. carrying); I have been creating for ploughing, The people exclaimed, I Glory be to A llah! 111:e Prophet said, "But J believe the story and so do Abu Bakr and .. Umar. The narrator said, r,rAbu Bakr and 'Umar '~v'ere not

present then .. " (Reponed by AI-Bu~hari and Moslem.) The Prophet said that Abu Bakr and "Umar would believe the story, even though they we-re not present then, because he knew that they were staunch believers who. used to believe

1.8

every word of the Prophet.

Abu Sa" eed Al- Khudryy reports ~ihat~he Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "No Prophet was sent except that he had £111'0 ministersfrom the Heaven and twO' on earth" As for my ministers from Heaven, they are Gabriel (Jibreel) and Michael (Mikaa'eel). And as jor m:y ministers on earth, the» are Abu Bak» and "' Umar. jj (Reported by At-T]nni~h].)

Sa" eed[bn Zayd reports thatthe heard Allah IS Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, say: I'IAbu Bakr win be admitted to Paradise, and so HIll! be . Ulnar" ~ Uthmaan ." and he mentioned the rest: of the ten (people whom the Prophet gave the glad tidings ofentering Paradise ),,11 (Reported by the authors of Sunan and others.)

"Urnar narrates: The Prophet. peace and blessings be upon him, went out one day and entered the mosque with Abu Bakr and ~ Umar on ]]]8. right and leftand each holding one hand. Then he said, "This ll~J(iY'wewill he resurrected On the Day of Judgment. " (Reported by At-Tmnidhi and AlHaakim.)

Ibn "' Uruar also reports ~hax the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Iam thefirs: to he resurrected 0I't the Day of Judgment. ./ollcTI-1J'f'tl by Abu Bakr and 'Umar afterward» .. " (Reponed try At-T1rm]·~~li and A~-Haakim.)

Ibn '" Umar further fepcrrs ~hat the Prophet"peace and blessings be upon him, once saw Abu Baler and ~ U mar and said, '" They are 1'0 me like my hearing and seeing. " 1 (Reported. 'by A~-Tabamanl,)

On the, authority of Al-Baraa' Ibn" Aazib who says: I was sitting w ith the, Prophet, peace and. bleasinge 'be upon him, ]9

when Abu Bakr and' Umar C~HTIe .. The Prophet said to them, "AU praise and thanks are due to Allah, Who grants me strength through you" l' (Reponed by A!- Tabaraani.)

"Abdur-Rahmaan Ibn Ghauam narrates, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said 10 Abu Bakr and "Umar, "Ifyou both agreed on something, 1 would not oppose you. " (Reported by Ahmad .. )

Ibn Sa' d narrates: Ibn" lIma!" was asked, "Who used to give Fatwa (Islamic legal rul ing) during the lifetime of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him?' He said, "Abu Bakr and' Urnar, and no one else."

Ibn Mas' ood narrates that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him; said, "Every Prophet had an intimate companion from amongst his people, and my intimate Companions are A btl Bakr and 'Umar.' (Reported by A!Tabaraani . )

'Ali narrates that the Prophet. peace and blessings be upon him, said; 'IMa}' Allah rest the soul (!{ Abu Bakr in peace: he gave his daughter ii.e. ~AJa 'ishah) in marriage to me, carried me (on his riding animal) to the place of Hijrah (i. €'. Madeenah.) and freed Bilaal. May Allah rest the soul of

'Umar in peace: he spoke the truth even if he Hlere to stiffer on account of it" and he observed the truth which made people JUlie him and caused his loss offriends. May Allah res! the 'soul of 'Uttunaan ill peace: the angels feel shy if] his presence. May Allah rest the soul of 'Ali in peace: 0 Allah, make him observe the truth wherever he may be" I! (Reported! by lhn , Asaakir.)

Sahl is reported to have said: When the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. returned from the Farewell

'Pilgrimage (fi(~liatul=Wadan '), he sat in the pulpit, gave praise and thanks to Allah, and then said: !'O people, Abu Bakr never did anYihin.g thai displeased me" so acknowledg« this virtue' of his. 0 people, I am pleased wah him; "Umar, 'Ut/1maan,'Aii, J'oJt!_ah. A~>Zubayr.. Sa 'd, 'Abdur~R'a1Jmaan

Ibn 'Awf~ the earliest M'uhqiireen.. so bear this in mind when dealing witt: theni. ,. (Reported hy At-Tabaraani.)

In a Mm,too' Hadith'; Anas reports that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said; "To love Abu Bakr and 'Umar is an {Jet of belief" and to hate them is au aa of disbelief. " (Reported b~ Ibn' Asaakir.)

The Prophet's Companions and Early Muslims Speak of Abu Bakr:

~ Ulnar Ibn Al-Khattaab, may Allah be pleased with him, said, "Abu Bakr is our master. " (Reported by Al-Bukhari.) He. also said: "If Abu Bakr's faith was placed in one of the scales of a balance and [he faith of all the people in the other. his would outweigh theirs." (Reponed by Al-Bayhaqyy.)

.. Umar further said; "I wish I were a hair in Abu Bakr's breast." (Reported by Musaddid.)

"Umar was also reported to have said: "The smell of A bu Bakr was far more better than the smel ~ of musk. ;;

'AH. may Allah be pleased with him. i,s reported to have said; "The best of people after the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, are Abu Bakr and ~ Umar. Never should 'I be loved by a man who hates Abu Bakr and' Umar."

21

(Reported by A!-Tabaraani)

.. AU narrates: "Never did I compete wiwh Abu Bakr in doing good!. deeds but found that he outdid me, rl (Reported by A~.-Tabaraan~ ,J

Ar -Rabayyi' Ibn Anas, may AJ lah be pleased with him, said: "We read about the Companions of Prophets, yet. we did not find that any of them had a C ompanion like Abu Bakr A~,Sideeq " (Reported by Ibn • Asaakir.)

Az-Zuhri said, "One of the virtues of Abu Bakr- was that he never had doubt concerning A.1~.ah. It

Az-Zubayr Ibn Bakkaar said: "I heard some scholars say, the orators of the Prophet, peace and blessings. be upon him, were Abu Bakr As~Si.deeq and' AH Ibn Abi Taalib, may Allah

-- ,. -

be pleased with them both, '!

Ar-Rubayyi Ibn Arras said, "Abu Bakr ~s Iike rain wherever it falls it brings good. f!

Abu Bakr is Called ~.~S.idee(J:

The Prophet. peace and bless ings be upon him, was uplitted t-o the Heavens, just after the demise of the Prophet IS ... ele A·· b 'I ·T.···rb < .. '·d· lris ..:~ K~·· d· ... ~. h .. - ~-. '. A· .]]r h be uncte, .. Jll aaun, an ms wne ~13: eejan, may -,"_a~_.e

= .-. -

pleased with her. It was a time of sadnessand disconsolation.

fer the Prophet, and the situation for Islam appeared to be dark. It was there that he was. assured of the destiny of lslam.

. ,

· ,

· .

! . ;

The morning: after his ascension, the Prophet, peace and blre:ssings be 'Upon him, told the Quraysh that he had 'been carried fronr Makkah to Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusatem, and

22

r

I.

1- -- -.-.

I L

. ~ - . _". -

· ,

from. there he had ascended to the heavens.He narrated to them what he had seen.

When the non-believ lng Qura.ysh heard of the Prophet's ascension to heaven. they regarded it as an absurdhy . and began to ridicule the Prophet for his declaration. "This is unbelievable' 11 they exclaimed. jib takes a month for a caravan to go the Levant. (Ash-Shaamj and a month to return. how could you do the return journey in One night?"

There were also some Muslims who wavered in believing the ascension of the Prophet, peace and. blessings be upon him, to. mile heavens. SO,U1<e of them went to Abu Bakr and! informed him of the Prophet's journey to Jerusalem and ascension to the heavens, Some expressed doubt about the veracity of the ascension, but when this question was posed to Abu Bakr, may Allah be p-leased with him, he: silenced them with his unforgettable words: "If he (the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him) says so, then he 'is truthful. There is nothing to. be surprised about. I believe him when he says that he received a revelation from Heaven in an hour of the day or nig·ht. And that is beyond wha~ yo~ eavail at. It

In was 011 that occasion that he earned. the title A§-.~ideeq.

May Allah be pleased with him and rest his soul in peace.

Second of' the Two:

Having heard the news of 'the success of Muslims in preaching [dam in Madeenah, the unbelievers at Makkah grew more and more furious and began t.o inflict intolerable atrocities on Muslims. The savagery and torture of the Quraysh escalated and the Muslims could not endure the severe maltreatment, Makkah was no longer a safe place for

Musl ims to dwell in. At (hal point, Allah Almighty gave the Prophet, peace and blessings he upon him, permission [0 emigrate to Yathrih (Madeenah), In the name of religion the Muslims were to leave thei r homes and hearths, and begin a new life in another city.

The Prophet. peace and blessings be UpOl1 him, allowed Muslims to' emigrate for Madeeuah in batches. Only the Prophet. Abu Bakr, 'Ali and the helpless honorable souls, who had been detained in confinement or were unable to break free from slavery. remained there. When Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him. sought permission to emigrate to, the Prophet said to hnn, "Don ''[ be in hurry, for it may be that Allah will give you a companion.' Abu Bakr took this to imply that he \W1S to accompany the Prophet. peace and blessings be upon him, In the journey .. He~C'h happy and honored ar the prospect of being the Prophet's travel ing companion to, Yathrib. He bought two camels, and made other preparations for their [rave].

In the meantime, the Quraysh of Makkah made a plot to murder the Prophet. peace and blessings be upon him, but Almighty AUah foiled their evil conspiracy. The Qur'an makes mention of [his plot:

,. .yo '" ,.r- A·~ .. bji ...... 01':.. ~." ~ iII)J iIo.~ -', 'J~.- "'.r. ... .:.~ Ii I;, '" .. ~"' .. "_-.- .:I;..or ~':Jo .. ~ ..:' )

LU1,~ .uJ~> ,~,~.. .' J ~ v ~ J~ ~ J~,;o; j~ .!.I ,.':."'] ~ ~ .• ~< .... JJ~ 2.L, ,_ ;.lJ.

J .... ,,'J -rr J.J~. ~ r~'J~V"_' ',. ","'Ii:

.,. .- ... oJ'

'r. :J~~~ 4:{' 'r • } .. -, 5~1 • "-

{ } ~, .' .J_h .r.r--

"Remember HO'JV the Unbelievers plotted against thee, to .keep thee in: bonds, or slay thee, or g,et thee' (of thy home), 'rhey plot and plan and Allah too JJ[ans, but the' best of planners is .Allah. /I' (Al-Anfaal: 30)

One hot afternoon, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, went to the house of his companion, Abu Bakr, and 24

gave him the tidings that the time for their emigration had come, "Allah has given me permission toleave the city and emigrate," the Prophet said. "Together with me? ",' asked Abu Bakr. "Together wubyou, " replied the Prophet The two camels were saddled. and [hey hired .. Abdullaah Ibn Urayqit, who then had not yet embraced Islam, (0 lead them on the Wl:1Y·

The assassinskepi vigil all night long. waiting to pounce (')11 the Prophet the moment he len his house, Every nowand then they peeped through a hole in the door to make sure that he was stitl lying on. his bed. The Prophet and .. AH were soon aware of their presence; and the Prophet picked 11p a cloak that he used to sleep with and gave it £0 ~ AH, saying, "Sleep on my bed. and wrap yourself in this green cloak of mine. Sleep in ir, and no harm shan befall you .. " Then the Prophet stepped out of his house casting a handful of dust at the assassins and began ro recite:

'rYa~-seen. Tile QtU,lall, .full of wisdom .. Thou (lrt indeed o'ne of the Mess e nger, ('Ill a straight way. If (Yaseen: 1-4}

He carne to the words;

('~ :~.) "Atl.d' We hav,e pu: a bar in from of litem and a bar behind thetn, and further, we have covered them up, so that tlley cannot see. tr (Y aseen: 9) At that point the Prophet went out of the house and passed between them unnoticed and went on

2.5

his way.

At dawn, the; assassins barged into die Prophet; s house and to their utter surprise. found that the person lying in the Prophet ! s bed was 'Ali, and not Mu!!am.ma.d. peace and blessings be upon him. This created a stir ln the who le city.

Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, and his Companion Abu Bakr proceeded to hide in a neglected cave a few miles south of Makkah on Mount Tbawr, When they had verrured a little beyond the precincts of Makkah, the Prophet. peace and blessings be upon him, halted his came). looked back, and said: "Of all Allah's earth, you are the dearest place unto me and the: dearest unto Allah, and had not my people driven Rue out of you, I would! not have len you. I~

Abu Bakr first walked into the cave of Tha.WL He plugged. all the holes, relearned it and then asked the Prophet to step In. They stayed in that cave for three nights .. During that period, "Abdullaah, son of Abu Bakr, would go to see them daily after dusk and apprise them of the situanon in Makkah, "Aamir Ibn Fuhayrah used to steal a way uno bserved every evening with a few goats to cover up the; tracks of "Abdullaah and furnish them wi~h a. plentiful supply of milk, Asmaa', daughter of Abu Bakr, also came with a bag of provislons; but she had forgotten to bring a rope, so she took off her girdle and cut it into two" using one to lie the bag and keeping th.e other for herself. ,3

Abu Bakr was very afraid for the Prophet • peace and blessings be upon him. One day. the enemy reached the mouth

JPor '~111s reason sheearned the '~itle ~ Dlu:llu-Nilaqay~1 ". Or t.lite woman of the two g;i.l'di.e s ,

26

of the cave and came close to finding the two faithful souls. At 1113t point, Abu Bakr whispered to 'the: 'Prophet :"'What if they were to Iook through the crevice and detect us? We are unarmed and at the bottom of the cave, H Thereupon, the Prophet reassured him saying.

• .pi'.~ + '"

( t .~ :~y:d~) ,(~ 4JJ1 ~J !Jy.J ~)

"

"Have no fear, lor .Allah is wilh us." (At-Tawbah: 40) Then the Prophet said to him, "What do you think of two when Allah is their third? I'

Quraysh, on the other hand, were quite baffled and exasperated. A p rice was. set upon the Prophet · s head .. They offered a hundred camels as a reward for whoever could seize Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, and bring him back. This had spurred many to try 11lheir luck. Among those who were on the lookout fur the Prophet and his Companion to win the reward was Suraqah 1bn Maalik, He, as Ibn AlQayyim narrates. received informatioa that a party 0" four had been spotted on a certain route. So he decided to pursue it secretly so that he alone would gain the reward. He mounted one of the best horses and went in pursuit of the Prophet and Abu Baller .. On the way" the horse stumbled and Suraaqah fell, He later resumed the chase but was once again curbed the same' way, yet the lust formarerial gain made him pay no heed 10i[. Again he swung himself into the saddle and galloped on at a breaking speed HU he came quite dose to the Prophet. Abu Bakrs heart palpitated and. he tn1d the Prophet) "0 Messenger of Allah, we are done for .. " But the Prophet said, IIBe not cast down. for Allah is certainly with us. j.

The repeated stumbling and falling: from. Suraqah's horse made him realize that the Prophet was protected against him,

27

and that it was a constant warning front Allah because of his evil design against jhe Prophet; peace and blesstngs be upon him. He immediarely changed and the sworn enemy turned into an honest believer. Approaching the Prophet with a penitent heart, Suraaqah hegged for forgiveness in complete humility. The Prophet forgave him and confirmed it with a token written by Abu Bah on a piece of parchment. Then Suraaqah hurried back to Makkah and tried to foil the i~Ue1TIplS of those who went out ill pursuit of the Prophet and his Companion.

Ahlu .. s-Sunnah (the Suun is) have unanimously agreed that the best people after Prophet Muhammad. peace and blessings be upon him, are Abu Bakr, then' Umar, then "Uthmaan, then . Ali" then the rest of the ten Companions whom the Prophet gave the gLad tidings of entering Paradise, [hen the Companions of the. Prophet who participated in the battle of Badr, then [~ose who participated in the battle of Uhud .. then [hose who swore the pledge of allegiance to the Prophet, peace and bJ.es.singsbe upon him. and the rest of the Companions. The fact [hat Abu Bakr A_§-§_Jdeeq is the best of the Prophet I s Companions is confirmed by many Hadiths. Here are some of them:

Ibn 'U mar may Allah he pleased with him, iLS quoted to have said: '''We used W compare Muslims in forms of who was better during the lifetime of Allah's Messenger, peace and blessings, he upon him, Wr;; used to regard Abu Bakr as the best, then "Umar, and then "Uthmaan. II (Repcrted by AIBukhari.)

In ~lIle: version of At- Tabraani: it And when the Prophet,

peace and blessings be upon him, was informed about this, he found no.fau,H with H," AbuHurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates: IrWe. the Companions of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, used to say while we were sitting together. The best of men in the nation of Islam after the Prophet, peace and Messjngs be upon him. are Abu Bakr. then . Urnar. then ~ Udunaan, then we used 10 keep silent. "(Reported by Fbn' Asaakir.)

On the authority ofMllh~unmad .. son of AU Ibn Abi Taal ib, who said: "I asked my father) 'Who are the best people after Allah'sMessenge.~"?' He replied. 'Abu Bakr. 1 I then asked, 'Who is next?' He said, 'Umar.' I was afraid he would say "Uthmaau, so' ~ said, 'Then you?' To which. he said. l am but an ordinary person amongst Muslims.' "(Reported by Al-Bukhari.)

Jabir, may Allah be pleased with him, reports that the Prophet. peace and blessings be upon him, sa.id:rlNever has. tire sun risen nor set on a person better than Abu Bakr. " (Reported by Af- Tabaraani and others.)

Sa '. dlbn Zuraarah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Prophet • peace and blessing 'be upon him, said: "The Holy Spirit, Gabriel has informed me that the best man of all of my nation after me will be Abu Bakr ... "(Reported by A!- Tabaraani .. )

'AmI' Ibn Al-" Aa~.. may Allah be pleased with hint, is reported to have said: "1 asked the: Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him."FWllO is the. dearest person to you amongst all of mankind?' He replied, " .. Aaishah.' I then asked. 'Who- amongst men?' He answered, 'Her father (i.e. Abu Bakr), I I asked. further, ; And who is next? I' He said, .. Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab. i The Narrator said: ThcProphe't

29

then enumerated some other 111en.. {Reported by Al-Bukhari and Moslem.)

Abu Bakl': the Bravest Companlen:

'Ali .• may Al1ah be pleased with him, is reported to have once asked the people, "Tell me who is the bravest man?" "You" replied the people. He: then asked them, 'Never did I fight anyone except that 1 put him to rout; but ten me who is the bravest man.'! The people said. 'We do not know, tell us who is he?' "Abu Bakr" replied AH .. in the battle of Badr, we built a shelter for the Prophet. peace and blessings be upon him, and then asked who is willing to stay with the Prophet so that none of the polytheists may dare to attack the Prophet, Non of us had the courage to accept this, save for Abu Bakr who came forward sword i.I1 hand, unsheathing it over the Prophet's head; and none of the polytheists was able harm the Prophet So he is the bravest man. 'A~~ added: "I saw the Prophet. peace and blessings be upon him" surrounded by Quraysh, threatened by some ami gripped violently by the garment by others; they said: "Are you the one who cans for the unity of gods?'!: ..' Ali said: "By Allah, none could intervene no save the Prophet bur Abu Bakr: he fought. threarened and pushed them aside, while saying, 'Woe unto you! Would you kin a Juan because he says. My Lord is Allah?' Then he (Abu Bakr) raised his mantle over the Prophet, and wept until his beard was wet. Then" AI.i said, 'Ten me by A11ah. who is better: the. believer of Pharaoh's people or Abu Bakr?' The people kept silent and" Ali said, 'Why do you not answer me? By Allah, a singlehour spent by Abu Bakr better than a thousand hours spent by the believer of Pharaoh's people: that was a man who kept his faith secret. while this. is H man who made his faith public .. " (Reported oy Al-Bazzaar. )

30

Narrating another story of Abu Bakr's bravery, -. Utwah Ibn Az-Zubayr, may Allah be pleased. with him, says: I asked .. AbCtullaah Ibn .. Amr Ibn AI- , .. Aas, "Tell me about the worst

thing the disbelievers did to the Prophet, peace and blessings be uponhim." He said. "While the Prophet was praying in the Hij.r (roofless ceiling) of the Ka 'bah, '" Uqbah lbn Abi Mu' ay] put his garment around the Prophet's neck and throttled him violently. Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, came andcaught him by his shoulder and pushed him away from the Prophet and said, "Would you kill a man for saying, 'Allah is my Lordi?" (Reported by Al-Bukhari.)

"' Aa'ishah, may Allah be. pleased with her. is reported to have said: When (he number of Muslims reached thirty nine, Abu Bakr asked the permission of Allah's Messenger, peace: and, blessings be. upon him, to preach Is Earn publicly, On his persistent request the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, gave his consent, and all of them went to the mosque (t'he Ka' bah) to preach. People dispersed in the corners of the mosque, each preaching his folk. Then Abu Bakr gave a Khu!bah, (sermon); thus, he was the first. ever Khateeb (orator) to call to AHahand His Messenger. When the disbelievers heard him" they fell upon the Muslims from all sides, Abu Bakr was kicked, thrashed with shoe-s, trampled! under feet and handled most roughly and savagely. (Reponed by Ibn , Asaakir.)

'AU. may Allah be pleased with him, is reported to have said: When Abu Bakr embraced Islam, he showed. his faith openly, and called others to Allah and His Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him. (Reported by Ibn' Asaakir .. )

Abu Bakr: the Most Generous Companion:

Allah the Almighty says: 31

"But tllo'se most devoted to Allah; shall b'e removed furfrom it (i.e. till! Hell-Fire). Those wlw spellt! Theil' wealtll for increase ill Stlf purification. If (Al-Layl: 17-18)[bn Al-Jawzi states: This verse was revealed in reference to Abu Bakr,

Abu Hurayrah may Allah be pleased with him reports that the Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him said: ,t ~ did not benefit from, wealrh as I benefit from the wealth of Abu Bakr. 'In Whereupon .Abu Bakr burst [nIO tears and said, "My person and wealth are entirely at YOUf service 0 Messenger of AI 'I ah!" (Reported 'by A!!mad,)

"Aa'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, is reported W have said: "Ahu Bakr freed seven people an of whom were tortured in the Cause of Allah. i'i (Reported by Ibn' Asaakir.)

"Umar Ibn Al--!<.harraab, may Allah be pleased with him. narrates: The Prophet, peaceand blessings he upon him, asked us to give out charity in Allah's Cause" and I had some wealth" Then I said,"Jt's lime for me to outdo Abu Bakr today. i. So I presented half of my total wealth" The Prophet asked me. "Have you left anyrhi ng for your family?" ,I An equal amount or it," I replied. Then came Abu Bakr with all that he had. The Prophet asked him. "0 Ahu Bakrl Have you left anything for your family?" "AII~ah and His Messenger" was the: reply. I said, "Never will I outdo Abu Bakr." (Reported hy Ar- Tirmidui .)

Abu Hurayrah, may Allah he: pleased with him, reports the Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him. to have said:

"Never did anyone do us {I favor but was rewarded, except Abu Bakr: he did us a favor which will be rewarded onty by Atiah Oil the Day of Jiidgment. Aut} Ldi« Hot benefit/rom. any wealth as I benefit from the wealth ofAb« Bakr. PJ (Reponed by At- Tirmidhi .. )

Abu Bakr: the .M·ost Knowledgeable and Intelligent Cnmpanlnn:

AllI-N awawi states in his, Tohdheeb: Scholars have: deduced that Abu Bakr is the mostknowledge of the Prophet's Companions on the basis of Ule authentic Hadith reported by Al-Bukhari and Moslem: "When Allah's Messenger passed awav and Abu Bakr became the caliph. some Arab renegade

~ ~ ~

(reverted to disbelief), Abu Bakr, decided to declare war

against them.' Villar, said to him, "How C<:U1 you declare war against these people when Allah's Messenger says: "I have been ordered (b;y A llah) to .11gb! against people till {hey bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and.if fhey (/(J so their lives and properly shal! be protected, unless (they do acts that are punishaoie) is accordance H}ith Islam, and their reckoning 'will be with Allah Almighty .. II Abu Bakr s.aid, "By Allah r [ will fighL [hose who distinguish between Salaal: (prayer) and Zakaah (obligatory charity), because Zakaati is the compulsory right to be jaken from 'One's property (according to Allah's Commands). By Allah, if they refuse ~o give me even the curd used for hobbling me feet of a camel, which they used to pay as Zakaah at the time of Altah's 'Messenger" peace and blessings be upon him, I would fight them for withholding 11." Then "Umar said, "By AJ1ah i'[ was nothing, but Allah guided Abu Bakr's heart towards the deciston .. !!

An-Nawawi adds: Sheikh Abu lshaq and others quote this Hadith in support of their view that Abu Bakr was the last

knowledgeable of the Prophet's Companions. They argue that an tIle companions feel short of judging the situation until Abu Bakr stated his opinion which was correct and they acted in accordance with it.

Ibn .. Umar was a5ked~';Who amongst the Companions used to give Fatwa during ~he lifetime of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him?" He said, "Abu Bakr and' Umar, andne one else' .

On the authority of Abu Sa' red Al-Kttudryy, may Allah be pleased with him: The Prophet, peace and blessingsbe upon him, addressed the people saying: "There ]8 a slave whom Allah. Exalted and Glorified be He; offered the choice between the good afterwcrld and that which is with Him, and the slave has chosen that whic.h is with Allah." Abu Bakr wept. and we were astonished at his weeping caused by what the Prophet mentioned, We ~earned ~ater on 'dun Allah' s Messenger himself 'was the person who was given the choke; and that Abu Bakr knew best of aU of us. Allah's Messenger added; "The most bountiful of men unto me in his. companionship and his sacrifice of his wealth is Abu Bakr. If 1 were to choose a bosom friend. I would choose Abu Bakr - but companionship and brotherhood in faith bind us until Allah unires us in His presence. All the gates of the mosque should be closed except the gate of Abu Bakr. "

Ibn Katheer maintains: A§.-~ideeq, may Allah be pleased with him, knew best of an of the Prophet's. Companions about the Qur'an, because Ilbe Prophet, peace and 'blessings be upon him, ordered him to lead the other Compaaicns in prayer, and he is reported to have s,aid,'·'Ler the one who recites the Quran best lead the people in .~al£ta}t .

. Aa' ishah, may AUah be pleased wu her; reports that the 34

Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "It is not fitting f.m·l)eople among whom is Abu Bakr to be Jed by anyone other than him. ;, (Reported by At-Tirmklhi.)

Abu Al-Qaasim Al-Baghawi quotes Maymoon Ibn Mahraan ro have said: "When Abu Bakr was asked to judge in a certain case, he would resort to the Glorious Qur'an: if he did not find guidance, he would resort to the Sunnan of the Prophet. peace and blessings be upon him. If he again failed to find a solution, he would go out and ask the Muslims, "I am supposed to judge in so and so, does anyone (If you remember the Prophet to have said anything concerning this case?" It used 10 happen that a. group of people would come to him, all of whom remembered a judgment of [he Prophet, in which case Abu Bakr would say, IAn praise and thanks are due to Allah. Who has made among us people who memorize the Sayings of the Prophet. If there was one who could recall a judgment of the Prophet in a case in hand. Abu Bakr would gather the people and consult them as regards the case. and if they reached a consensus he would act accordingly. '. Urnar, may Allah be pleased with him, used to do the same .. If he failed to find guidance in the Our'an or Sunnah, he would ask if Abu Bakr had passed a judgment concerning the case in question, in which case be would resort to the judgment of Abu Bakr, But if he faikd to find a judgment passed by Abu Bakr, he would gather rhe Musnms with a view to reaching unanimity on a certain judgment .

Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, was known as the foremost genealogist of Quraysh and the best of them at interpreting dreams. He used tofnterpret dreams during the lifetime of the Prophet; peace and blessings be upon him. According to Muhammad lbn Sireen, he was the best at interpreting dreams, after the Prophet? peace and blessings be upon him.

Abu Baler, :ltm Katheer states. was the mmn eloquent speaker. Az-Zubayr Ibn Bakkasr Js quoted to have said, "I heard some scholars say that the most eloquent speakers among the Prophet's Companions are Abu Bakr A§-~ideeq and. .. Ali Ibn Abi Taalib, may Allah be pleased with them both ... Umar n)O A1-Khagaab is reported. to have said about Abu Bakr, "He is the 11108t knowledgeable and most COlThSciO'U8 of Allah .. !!

.. Amr Ibn AI-" Aa!. may Allah be pleased. with him, quotes the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. to have said. "Gabriel has come to me and said. 'Allah orders; you W consult Abu Bakr.' 'I' (Reported by Ihn ' Asaakir.)

Mu aadh Ibn Jabal, may Allah be: pleased with him narrates: When the Prophet. peace and blessings be upon him. wanted to send me to Yemen; he consulted some of his Companions, among whom were Abu Bakr, .. Umar, .. Uthmaan, 'AH. Talhah, Az-Zubayr, Usayd Ibn Hudayr. Everyone of

............. _ ,'- .--,.-, .

them stated his own opinion .. Then the Prophet asked rue,

"What do you see, 0 Muaadh?" 1 replied, !~I go with what Abu Bakr has said."! To this the Prophet said, 'II Allah hates in His Heaven that the view of Abu Bakr be considered. wrong." (Reported by At-Tabaraani, Abu Nu' aym and others.)

Abu Bakr" 5 Steadfastness: upon the Death of the Prophet:

As the Prophet's mission was completed, the time came for him to depart to his heavenly abode. He began to suffer from mness and his health deteriorated at an alarming speed ..

On Monday 19th. of Safar. 11 AH. the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, went to Al-Baqee ., prayed for the dead, and then returned to the house of his wife Mayrnoonah,

36

may Allah be pleased with her. The fever grew violent and the pain increased considerably. But, withsranding allthis suffering in remartab]e calmness and serenity, the Prophet led the prayer in the mO:S(l.ue.. BUI. he.became too wee,1\: and his illness worsened. He said to his wives: "Pour over me seven skins of water from different wells so thatlmay go OUt to themen and exhort them .. '" They had him sit down in a tub belonging to Hafsah and poured water over him until he cried, "Enough, enough 1 " Then. [hey helped him gel dressed, bound hisbead, and "Ali and 'Abba-as supported him to [he mosque, where he 82U on the pulpit and adidtessed. thepeople. He saidi t'There is a slave whom A.hnighty Allahgave the choice between this world . . and that which is with Hjm, and the slave has chosen that which is with Allah." It was only Abu Bakr A~-Sideeq} may Allah be pleased with hiru.who perceived what the Prophet meant 'by the eli oice of words. He began to cry as he kn ew thatthe Prophet was referring to Itimself ~md that the choice meant imminent death. The Prophet realized that his i nthnate friend, Abu Bakr. had understood him, ar!ldasked him ~lIot to cry, He said: "The Ul0St bountiful of men to me in his companionship and his sacrifice of his wealth is Abu Bakr. If l were to choose a bosom fr]e:nd,[ would choose Abu Bakr - but companionship and, brotherhood in faith will remain between us until Allah unites us in His presence. 1'1

Al-Bnkhari narrates that on the early days of §:afar., 11 AH, The: Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, went to the graves of the martyrs of lJ!lud and prayed for them, Then he stood on the pulpit and addressed his people: !! I. am to precede

you and rr an] your witness .. Your trust whh me is at rhe Pountd, wbich verity I behold from her where now I stand .. 1 have been

..Il'llis is rhe r:'Ollli~l (nf ahll!l,c1~llk,e) \vhk:h Allah merulons in SW'l;,r/.r, "'s1,l-KaH'tlfCI]'''.

Ou rhe Day 0.1' Judgmcat, ri,g!II~GOUIS Muslhns wilill be ,,!I]owod W ·dr!l~k fri:}llllhif\ Fn~II!lL alter w~lk;l~ ~hoy will !loigrow ihir~!y ovcr~!:;!'liin.,

37

given the keys of worldly treasures. By Allah, I do not fear for you 'that you will associate partners with Allah after I P'tlSS away, but I do fear for you. from ~hls world, lest you should strike one another's necks for [he acquisition of worldly gains, "

It is also narrated that when the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, went £0 Al-Baqee cemetery, he prayed for forgiveness for the martyrs, saying, "Peace be on you, people of the gravest Happy are you as you are so much better than men who are alive. Dissension has come like waves of the: darkest nights one after the other, each worse than the previous one. 11

~ Aa'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, narrates:

When the. Prophet • peace and blessings be upon him, grew seriously ill. he ordered the people jo [eU Abu Bakr to lead them in §_alaah. But' Aa' ishah feared that it would greatly pain her father to take the place of the Prophet. So she said, "Messenger of Allah, Abu Bakr 1S a very sensitive man, not strong of voice and much given to weeping when he recites the Qur'an .. '~ To this, the Prophet answered. "You are even like the women jhat were with Joseph. Ten Abu Bakr to lead the people in Salaah. '"

The Prophet. peace and blessings be. upon him. laymuch of the time with. his head resting on .. Aa 'ishah IS chest or lap, While bedridden and suffering severe pain. he called his daughter • Faa!hnah. and told her to sit beside him, Then he spoke to her in secret; she wept bitterly, When he found her overcome with grief, he whispered another secret. to her, and this time she laughed, "Aa'ishah asked her about the secret that made her cry, bu.t Faatintah refused to tell her. saying: "I am nor going: to disclose the secret of Allah's Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him.' When the Messenger of' Allah, peace and blessings be upon him. passed away •. , Aa'Ishah said. to her:

JR

"I adjure you by the right that 1 have upon you that you should. narrate to me what the Prophet" peace and blessings be upon him, said. to you." Sbe said: "'WeU~ now I can '[ell you, The first time, the Prophet • peace and blessings be upon him. told me that he would not recover front his fatal illness and therefore I wept. The second time he told me that I 'Would be the first of his family to join him (in Paradise), and that made me laugh."

Anas Ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with hnn .. also narrates: When the ailment of the Prophet aggravated. he became unconscious and. then Faatirnah said. 1!Oh, .How distresse-d my father is! !'I Whereupon the Prophet sa]d,"Your fatl1er will have no more distress after today."

The malady of the Prophet took a. turn for the worse.

His fever rose so high mar his body could hardly be touched from the burning heat, His body was aching with pain, but he was too busy calling people to righteousness. Turning '(0. his wives" who sat dose by, he said: "0 Paatimah, my daughter and you, Safiyyah, my aunt! Strive to do that which shall please Aliah, for verily, 1 have no power with Him to save you in any way."

On the 11·h of Rabee' Al-Awwal, the fever and pain had somewhat abated and he: recovered slightly, regaining a little strength. The Propher, hearing the call to prayer. decided to go to the mosque .. The prayer had already begun when he entered and Muslims were almost distracted from the joy at seeing the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. But Allah's Messenger motioned them to continue, Abu Bakr had been conscious of the stirbeh~nd him, and he realized that the Prophet must have entered the mosque. 'Without turning 'his head, Abu 881k1.' stepped back, but 'the Prophet placed his hand OWl his shoulder and pushed him forward gently as a. sign that he should continue leading MusHms in Salaah, 'When he finished,

39

the Prophet sat on the pulpit and addressed his devoted Companions: 'IBy Allah. I have not made anything lawful except that which Allah has dec lared lawful, nor have I declared anything unlawful except that which Allah has deemed unlawful. 11

The Prophet. peace and blessings be upon him, seemed exhausted. so he returned to "Aa'Ishah's house accompanied by two of his Companions. As the day advanced, his health failed rapidly. "Aa'Ishah, see-ing he was too frail. raised Iris head. from (he pillow and placed it: on her Lap. She kept moistening his forehead with a damp cloth. The fever was very high, But the noble Prophet remained calm and never complained. He had resigned to the wi II of A11ah and repeated the following: words over and over again: "In the company of those on whom is the Grace of Allah."

He, peace and blessings. he upon him, felt as if he was drifting towards the inevitable end. Though going through the throes of death, he did not for amoment lose courage. He kept on beseeching Allah to help him: "0 Lord! I implore You seeking Your help through the agony of death. U

At this point, ., Aa' ishah' s brother, .. Abdur-Rahmaau, entered the room with a green Siwaak (a tooth stick) in his hand. while "' Aa'ishah was supporting the Prophet 's back against her chest. Seeing [he 'Prophet's eyes resting on it (i.e. the Shvaak), she knew that he wanted it. So she said Eo him, "Shall I take itt for YOLfr He nodded in agreement, She took it from her brother ,butit was wo stiff for him to use. ii Shall I soften it for you?' she said. He nodded in approval. She chewed, it a liule to make it sort and pliable .. Then she gave i r to the Prophet. who brushed his teeth with it v~gorousl.y despite his failing health.

His strength had declined rapidly and he was heard saying. "0 Allah, grant me pardon and join me with companionship on hi.gh .. " He also murmured, "Nay. the most Exalted Companion in Paradise. 1'1 Then he said, rl~alaah, §_idaoh'! The persons. who have been entrusted 'to your care!" This" he repeated several times, He began 'W lose consciousness and his strength diminished. l-Ie opened his eyes wide open and he said clearly: "Lordi Blessed is the companionship on high. '!' His limbs went limp and he fell into' Aa'ishah's lap. She fixed her eyes upon him. anxiously, almost hoping to get a response from him ban she found to her great sorrow dun the faint suggestion of a smile, which relaxed her husband's Ups. did not belong to this world, The Prophet. peace and blessings be upon. him .. , by then had returned ro £1.1 e companionship of (he One 0'1.1 high. That was on Monday l Z'", Rabee' Al-Awwal, in 11 Ali.

When the news of the Prophet' s death spread to all corners of the city, consternation blazed d1FOUgh the ranks of the people, Some wept bitterly, some were speechless. and some disbelieved HH!: news of his death belding that he had expe ri enced a swoon. "Umar Ibn A! Khanaab stood up and said, "Some hypocrites think [hat 'Mu~aJmmad, peace and blessings be upon him, has died; but Mu!!anr'JJmadis not dead, However, he has gone to his Lord as Moses" son of' Imraan, had gone to his Lord, and he had been absent from his people forty nights, and be (Moses) returned to them after it was said that he had died. By Allah, the Prophet wm return as Moses

. had returned, and he will surely CUlt off the hands and feet of men who allege that he ~s dead."

Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, was not present when the Prophet "peace and blessings be upon him, breathed his JusL' Aa'ishah relates: Abu Bakr came from his house at As-Sunh (where he lived) on a horse .. He dismounted and passed. through the mosque disregarding the crowds that

,n

pressed past him. file walked onwards jnto the house of "Aa'ishah where the Prophet, peace and blessing be epon him. was lying. He then uncovered the Prophet 19 face, knelt down and kissed him, With his eyes flooded in tears, he said: "May my father and mother be ransom for you. By Allah, you have tasted death which Allah has decreed; a second death will never overtake you. ;,

He then went out while ' U mar was still talJdng to the people, and he said, "Gently, Umar, calm down. I!' But" Umar did not listen to him so Abu Bakr moved towards the people who bad thronged round him. and addressed them saying: "0 people. let. whoever worship'S Muhammad know the Muhammad

.. . " --- ,-

is surely dead, and let whoever worships Allah know that Allah.

is alive and shall never die." He then recited the verse:

tlMuhammad is 110 more than a Mes.senger,; many were the Messengers that pass-c.d away before him. If he' died or 'wel~ slain, will ye then turn back on yo.ur heels? (/ any did tum buck on hh heels, IUJ't the .leas/harm will he do to' Allah,~ but Allah (on ,the other hand) utili swiftly reward those who (s',ene Him) with: grotitud'e.'1 (Ali ., Imraan: 144) .

This short sermon hroughu. solace to the wounded hearts of Muslims and they submitted with cheerful resignation to the wiil of Allah . .., Umar is reported to have said; "By Allah, when

. .

I heard Abu Bakr recite that verse. it was as if I had never

heard it before. I was dumbfounded to the extent that my legs could. [lot carry me and I fell ~o the ground knowing that the 'Prophet was indeed dead, n

42

Ibn "Ahbaas is reported to have said: "By Allah, it was as if ~lli1e people never knew that Allah had revealed rhis verse till Abu Bakr recited it and all the people received it from him, and I heard everybody reciting it (then).

Abu Bakr's Scrupulous Conscience;

Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him. never ate unlawful food. It is said that he had. a slave who used to' give him a portion of hi.s daily income as the master's share. Once he brought him some food, and Abu Bakr took a morsel out of it Then the slave said to him: "You always inqaired about ~h.e source of what I bring to you, but today youhave not done 80.,11 Abu Baja replied.v'l felt so hungry that I fa~l~ed to do that. Ten me now." whence did. you bring this food?" The slave said:

"Before embracing Islam, I practised soothsaying, During these days, I came across some people for whom I practised some: of my charms. They promised to pay me for [hat later ouJ happened to pass by those people today. while they were engaged ina marriage ceremony ~ and. they gave me this food. On saying this, Abu Bakr exclaimed, tl Ahl You would have surely killed me'?" Then he tried 10 disgorge the morselhe had swallowed, but he could not. do so. as his stomach had. been quite empty, Somebody suggested to him to take waver 'V() his ff ~ and then retch. it. Thereupon Abu Bakr sent for a goblet of water and kept on taking water and forcing i~ out, till he vomited out the morsel.

i,

Somebody remarked: "May Allah have mercy on you] Yom put yourself to such a. trouble fora singl,e morsel." To ijbis Abu Bakr repl.ied:'!I would have thrust it out even if 1 hadto lose my life. for I heard. the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him .• say: j'Any flesh 'which has grown out o/unlawful

earningsM?tll not enter Paradise." I, therefore, made haste to dear my stomach of this morse]. lest any portion of my body should receive nourishment from it. n (Reported by Abu Nu' aym.)

Abu Bakr's Utter Fear of .Allah:

According to OUT belief, AbU! Bakr A:§.-Siddeeq. may Anah be pleased with him. is the most exalted person after the Prophet, peace and. bJessingshe upon him. The Prophet conveyed to him the glad tidings that his name shall be called out from aU the gates of Paradise, and that he will be the first of his followers to enter it With a~~ these virtues and privileges, he wiled to say ~ "I wish .1 were a tree that would be cut and done away with. i, Sometimes he said, f! I wish I were a blade of grass whose life ended with [he grazing of some beast. ;'1 This reflects his utter fear of Allah and his apprehension of reckoning on the Day 0 f Judgement.

Abu Ahmad Al-Haakim reports On the authority of Mu' aadh Ibn Jabal who said: One day Abu Bakr entered a garden where he saw a bird standing under the shade of a tree, He sighed deeply and said: <;.0 bird, how lucky you are! YOmJl; eat from trees and take shade under them; when you die you do 110t have fear of reckoning on. the Day of Judgement I wish J were just ,I ike you. H

Al-Asma i narrates: When Abu Bakr was praised he

- .

used to say: "O Allah! You know 111e better than ill do, I know

myself better than them. 0 Allahl Let me better than I think I am forgive me for what they do not know. and do om holdme aecoumable for what they say, "(Reported by Ibn" Asaakir.)

On the authority of Qatadah who says: !II was told ~.hat Abu Bakr said" II wish 1 were a plant eaten by 44

animals "(Reported by Ahmad.)

Abu .. hnraan Al-Jawni reports that Abu Bakr said: "I wish I were just a hair in the body of a devout Mu'min (believer). "(Reported by Ahmad.)

Ahmad narrates on the authority of Mujaahid who said:

- .

"When Ibn Az-Zubayr used to, stand for ~alaah he used to look

like a "stick" out of his extreme devoutness and piety, And I was told th~at Abu Bakr was like him. '1'1

0.1,1 the authority 0'1' Damurah IbnJ:-labeeb who says:

"When one of Abu Bakr's son was dying, he kept looking at a cushion" so they pushed him away from the cushion and found five or six dinars under ir. Abu Bakr said: "To Allah we belong, and to Him is Our return' I do not think you can bear the burden of that sin. "(Reported hy Ahmad.)

~hn Sa' d. narrates on the authority of Ibn Sireen who said: "Ever since the demise of the Prophet. peace and blessings be upon him, no one has been known to be most conscious in giving, judgement about matters that he did not know. except Abu Bakr, and no body was so conscious of Allah like Abu Bakr, except "Umar. When Abu Bakr used to have a case that is not. referred to in rhe Qur'an and the Sunnah, he used to say: ri I tried to arrive at the right opinion through my OW]lI personal judgement; if lr is right. it is Allah's Favor, and if "it is wrong. it is my fault and I pray to Allah to forgive me ...

Abu Bakr Never Reveals the Prophet's Secrets:

.. Um3F Ibn Al-Khauaab, may Allah be pleased with him. narrates: "Willen Hafsah Hint' Umar became a widow after the death of (her husband) Kb,unays Ibn Hudhafah As-Sahmyy who

45

had been one of the Companions of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and he died at. Madeenah. I went to .. Uthmaan .I.bn" Affaan and offered 11 hn the hand of Hafsah >( for

• _ ;0;;;;;;;0,

marriage), He said, "1 will think ~t over, ,. I waited for a few

days, then he met me and said.vlt seems that it is not possible for me to marry at presens.'"

"Umar added, "11 met Abu Baler A§;-§iddeeq and said to him, I If you wish, I will g]ve: my daughter lbf§.ah in marriage to you, ti Abu Bakr kept silent and did not say any word tome in reply. 1 got mera furious with him than with ., Uthmaan. I waited for a few days, and then Allah's Messenger asked for her hand, and I gave her in marriage to him. Afterwards 1 met Abu. Bakr who said to me, 'Perhaps you got angry withme when you offered lfaf§ah in marriage tome, and I did not give you a. reply? I' I said. 'Yes,' Abu Bakr said, 'Nothing prevented me tOl"'!!spond to your proposal except that I. knew that Allah I s Messenger had mentioned her, aud I never wanted W let out the sec ret of Allah I s Messenger, A nd ~f All a11 IS Messenge r had refused her, I. would have accepted her, I " (Reponed by AlBukhari.)

Abu Bakrs Tender Heart:

On the authority of ., Aa' ishah, may Allah be pleased

_' .,' .

with her, who says: "l had seen my parents practicing Islam

since I attained the age of puberty. Not a day passed but tile 'Prophet. peace and blessings be upon him, visited uS,both in the jnoming and the evening- My father Abu Bakr thought of bui~dinga mosque ill the courtyardof his house, and he did so. He used to pray and recite the Qur'an in it. The polytheist women and their children used to ga~her around him and look at him astonislringly. Abu Bakr was a softhearted man and could not help weeping while reciting the Qur'an. The chiefs of the:

Quraysh disbelievers became afraid of that (i.e .. that their

, ,

! .

children and women might be affected! by the recitation of Qur'an)." (Reported by Al-Bukhari.)

Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, reports that after the death of Allah's Messenger. peace and. blessings be upon him, Abu Bakr said to "Umar, "Let us visit Umm Ayman as Allah's Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him. used to visit her." When they went to her, she wept. They (Abu Bakr and ~ Umar) said to her, "What makes you weep? What is in store (in the next world) for Allah's Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, is better than (this worldly life)." She said, ~!I weep not bec-ause , am ignorant of the fact that whatis in store for Allah's Messenger On the next world) is betterthan (this worldly life). 'but I weep because the Divine Revelation has ceased to come from Heaven, This moved both of themto tears and they began to weepa10ng with her. II (Reported by Moslem.)

Abu Bakri,s; 'Interpretation or Dreams:

Abu Bakr, may AJ1ah be pleased with him" was all acknowledged interpreter of dreams. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon. him, himself used. to consult only him for interpreting his dreams.

Sa' eed Ibn Mansoor narrates on the authority of Sa' eed Ibn Al-Musayyib who said: ~,,, Aa'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, saw in a dream that three moons fell in her house. So she narrated he r dream. to Abu Bakr - who was the best interpreter o~f dreams - he said: i, If you have truly seen that. then three of tl1ebest of aU Allah' s creation win be buried in your house. II When the Prophet ; peace and blessings be upon him, died, Abu Bakr said to "Aa'ishah. "This is the best of your three moons."

Sa ,_ reed .110" Mansoor ,a~.so narrates on the authority of "Umar Ibn Sharahaeeel who said: "The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "1 saw that 1 was foUowed. by black sheep then I was folkrwed by white sheep that outnumbered the black ones ill a. way that you could hardly see the black ones. Abu Bakr interpreted the dreams saymg: "O Prophet of Allah, the black sheep stand for the Arabs who win embrace Islam in large numbers, and thewhite sheep stand for the non-Arabs who will embrace Islam in far larger numbers than the Arabs, The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said. "That was exactly how the angel interpreted it before dawn."

Ibn Sa" eed fu rther narrates on the authority of Ibn Shihaab w1[0 sald: The Prophet. peace and blessings be upon him j saw a dream and narrated it 'to Abu Bakr. He said: "1 saw in a dream that 'we were racing and I was ahe-ad of you by step's. "Abu Bakr said, "'YOM wiU die and restin peace in Heaven! and I will Jive two years and a half after your passing away.

Oil the authority of Abu Qilaabal: who says: A man said to Abu Baler A~-§ideeq. "I saw in a. dream that I urinate blood. 1·1 'Whereupon Abu Baler said. "You are a man who copulates with his wife in the time of he I.' menses, so seek Allah's Forgiveness and do not do this again."

Verses, Hadiths and Scholars Saying Referrfng to Abu Bak IS Cahphate:

On the authority of Hudhayfah, may Allah be pleased with him; who quotes the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon 11m.1;. as saying: "Among those who win succeed me, follow

I. Abu Bakr and '- Umar. I, (Reported by At- Tirmidhi and A~~

,:

I·

I"

, ,

~~laakim.)

Jubayr Ibn Mu!' am, may .AI,lah be pleased with him, reports: "'A woman came to the Prophet, peace and blessing be. upon him, to ask him about something, hut he mid! her w come some other time. She said. "0 Messenger of AI,la!h! What if I C01ne hut do not find you? lt seemed as ~ f she meant that he might die?" The Prophet said, "If you do not find me, then go to Abu Bakr. '" (Reported. hy Al- Bukhari and Mcslem.)

Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates: "B~HU Al-Mustaliq sent me to the Prophet. peace and blessings be upon him, in order to ask him to who would they pay alms after the Prophet's demise. ,~' went to the. Prophet to ask him about this. and he said to me. "To Abu Bakr. PI (Reported by AIH,aakim.)

, Aa' ishah, may Allah be pleased with her. reports that Allah's Messenger. peace and blessings be upon him, said to her in his (last) illness.' "Calf Abu Bakr, your.f(uher and your brother too. so that .I may write a document, lor he fear lest someone else nught be desirous ((!,f succeeding me) and (that some claimant migM say. 111ww: better claim to it, whereas AUah and th« believers do not substantiate the claim of anyone but that of Abu BaAT" "(Reported by Moslem .. )

Ibn Abu Mldaykah reports that .. Aa' ishah • may Allah he pleased with her, was asked about the person Allan's Messenger" peace and blessings he up-on ~lim.would have nominated his successor if he had ito nominate one at all. She said, "Abu Bakr. 11 It was said to her, "Then who after Abu Bakr?" "Umar,' she replied. It W'E1.s said [0 her. "Then who after' Urnar?" She said, "Abu "Ubaydah Ibn Al-Jarraah, and then she kept silent. (Reported by Moslem ,.)

Abu Moosa Al-Ash" aryy, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates: "The Prophet. peace and 'blessings be upon him. fell in and when his illness aggravated, he said. I'TeU Abu Bakr to lead the people in §_alaah. rr .. Aa' ishah said, "0 Messenger of Allah. "Abu Bakr is a softhearted man. he would not be able to lead the e_alaah ]11 your place. r~ The Prophet said again, "Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in !ia1aah, i. She repeated the same reply" and the Prophet said: "TeU Abu Bakr to lead the people in §:alaah. Yau are even as the women who were with Prophet Yoosuf (Joseph). tJ So the Messenger of A11ah went to Abu Bakr (wi~h that order), and be led the people in §_alaah in the lifetime of the Prophet. (Reported bv Al-Bukhari and Moslem.)

" J _

Scholars have dedb.ce(j the reference to AbU! Bakr's caliphate from SOl1l1f verses of the Qur' an. Al-Hasan Al-Basri, commenting on (he verse:

"O ye wko believe if any from Q1120Ug you turn backfrom his Faiilz, soon .. ,.;ill AUtlh produce a people whom He will love as they w,ilE love Him, lowly with the Believers, mighty agains: th,e rejecters, JigilJillg in the way of Allah, and never ,a/raill of the reproache: ~l such as jiJzd fUJJ,l",., That is the Grace of Allah, whiclf he will bestow on whom he pleaseth, Anti ,Allah encompasselli all, and he knowed: all thiJ''lgs. ,,. (Al-Maa'idah: 54), he said: "By Allah they arc Abu Bakr and his companions. When some Arabs relhtquished Islam after ~he death of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, Abu Bakr and his Companions fought them until hey returned back to [slam.

Abu BakrEleeted Caliph:

It is reported that' Umar Ibn A~-K1!a!..l:aab. may AUah be pleased with him. addressed the people, upon his return from Hajj, saying: "l have heard that someone said. 'If ' Umar were dead. I would pledge allegiance to such-and-such person.' No one sWlould! deceive himself by saying that the ejection of Abu Bakr was an unpremeditated affair (Fallah) which was ratified. Adminedly it was so; However. Allah averted any evil which might have resulted from h. There IS none amongst you to whom people would devote. themselves as they did to Abu Bakr who wasthe bes t of us.

It happened that when AUah's Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, passed away. 'Ali and Az-Zubayr and their Companions withdrew from us in the house of Faajimah, and the An~aar opposed us and assembled with their chiefs in the: han (Saqeifah) of Harm Saa' Lilah; while the Mulwji;~een gatbered around Abu Bake" Umar continued: "1 rold Abu Bakr that we should go to ou.rbrothers, the. Ansaar, when two righteous menmet us and told us the conclusion the people had come to, They asked US~ "Where are you going. 0 people of the Muhajireen?!1 I replied, "To our 'brothers, the An~aar.' They told us that there was no need of approaching them" and that we must ruake our own decision. I said, 'By Allah, we will go to them: we found them in the ha~~ of Banu Saa idah, In the middle of the ha~~ was a man wrapped up in a cloak, I asked who tha~ 'mall was" and the people answered that he was Sa" d. Ibn .. Ubadah, I wondered. 'What's wrong with hhn?"He is ill, ~ came the; answer. When we sat down, their orator stood up' to address the assembly. He praised and thanked Allah as He deserves, and then said: nWe are the Helpers (An~aar) of Allah and the bartaliou of Islam; and you. 0 M.uJwjireen are a family

~H

of ours and .a gi"OUI) of yOUI' people have settled amongst us, You are trying to' cut us off from our origin and wrest authority from Us," H When he finished, I wantedto speak. because [ had. prepared a speech which pleased me juuch, and wanted [0 deliver it before Abu Bakr. I was trying to soften a certain asperity of his, burhe (Abu Bakr) was more forbearing and wiser jhan I was, He said, 'Gently, -, Umar!' ] did not like to. anger him so Lallowed himto speak. He ]s a man with more knowledge than I., and by Allah he did not omit a single word which I had thought of. and he uttered im in hisinimitable way better than I could have done" The ()r~lOr said: "Truly j you deserve all. the good you have said about yourselves, but the

A·· ·1·"lI~)S· will never 'clll"c·e· ·,·1I:t ·[·11e· authortrvof "'-lY·""11"'· ·)·~··I'\ " .• tl • i, ' .. ''-!.L ... .. u"'" _ . ,;i...,·..... .•... ..:-1.1. -h .. 1 ]I.}" .. I .,,;)j.I ... u .. ,",. [ l ... Iel. l.'Hl a

man of this clan of Quraysh; they being the best of the Arabs as regards descent and country. I offer you one of these two nten, Pledge allegiance to whichever of these you please." Thus. saying he took hokl of my hand and that of Abu "Ubaydah Ibn A]=Jarraal! who was sitting amongst us" Nothing he said dh;:ple:a.se.d me 1tH)(1e than that (proposal). By Allah, I would rather have come forward and have my neck chopped off·~ If that were no sin - [han become. the ruler of a people of whom Abu. Bakr was on e.

One. of the Aft~.a(tr said: "'I am the rubbing post: and the fruitfu]prnpped.-up, palm', Let us have two rulers: one from us. and another from you. 0 people of Quraysb." Altercation waxed. honer and voices were raised lml']~.~ was afraidlest a complete disunity should take place, 80 I s.aEd.!Stretch out your l~a~~d, 0 Abu Bakr. He did £;0 and Lpaid hiru homage, then nIne Mufu:Uireen swore the pledge of allegiance and so did [he Ansaar afterwards"

<; ~ . -. ..... .

-~.e. ;~ I]Km who ·tiHii cure pcopl!c'x HI:;; arul [:Ii hekl in hiig'h c..<;~ecl:n uu 1,~~c,.:O~lf]i or h~8

gre'Ol~ \!i\lll'Cricn~c: nnd .!~Hmdlt;oili~]S~ I. {~I'O~ m;.,,}

52

"Umar added: "By AII.ah, there was no grater problem than the election of Abu Bakr; ·we were afraid dun if we left the people, they might pledge allegiance after us to one of their menv Jn which case we would have given them our consent for something against our real wish, or would have opposed them. and stirred comtnotion. So if anyone pledge allegiance to.

_' '" '_ -

someone Wi[~10U[ consulting other Mus lims , [hen the one he has

selected should not be give~rn allegiance, lest both of them. should be killed, ,r

On the authority of Ibn Mas' ood, may Allah be pleased with him, who says: Upon the demise of Allah's Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, the Ansaar suggested (hat there should be two Jeaders (one from the An~aar and another fl'nmthe .Muhajin:!en),. until finally "' Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab intervened, saying: "Opeopk of the An~aar,. know you. not that Allah's Messengerv peace and blessings. be upon him, ordered Abu Bakr to lead the people in Salcmh? Which of you will

.. -

willingly take precedence over Abu Bakr?" Thereupon the

An~aar said" II Allah forbid tha~ we should take precedence over

A- ij,... B· akr!"

. uu .. .a.. L

Ibu Jshaaq states: Az-Zuhri told me on thee authority of Anas Ibn Malik: On [he morrow of Abu Bakr's election En the hall {of Banu Saa' idah), he (Abu Bakr) satin the pulpit, and .. U mar rose to his feetand spoke be~orn'e h im, He prai sed and thanked All ah as He deserves, an d then 8,2.1 d: '! 0 people, yesterday ill said something which I do not find in the Book of Allah. nor was. it something which [he Prophet of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, entrusted to me; but I thought that Allah's Messenger, peace and blessings be UI)On him, would order OUT affairs (ulltiU: he W~lS the last of us (alive), A11.ah has len His Book with you, through which He guided His Messenger. peace and blessings be upon him. and. if you hold

53

fas~ co it, Allah wII:1 guide you ~s He; guided him, Allah has placed your affairs in the hands of the best of you. the Companion of Allah's Messenger .. and the "second of the ,two 1114]0 ~vere in the cave", So arise and pledge allegiance to him. Thereupon the people pledged a~~,e:g]ance to Abu Bakr, after the pledge in the haH (of Banu Saa' idah),

'The First Address:

Then Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with h~m,got up, praised and thanked A11ah as He deservesrand then addressed the assembly thus: "0 people. ] have been given authority over you, yet I am not the best of you. If I do welt.giveme your support, and if 1 do wrong,.&eLiue right Truth is [oya~ty. and lying is treachery. The weak .amongst you shal I be strong inmy eyes, until :~: secure hisrlglus, /It')'hf1=AUoJJ: (Allah wHnng),~ and the strong amongst you shall be weak In my eyes, 1lI1t~~ .~ wrest from him the rights of others, Insha-Al1ah. If a people give up Jihad in the Cause of Allah, Allah will smite them with hnmiliation. And if obscenity permeates among a people, An~h will inflict calamities upon tthem, Obey me as long as I obey Anah and His Messenger .. and if l disobey Allah and His Messenger, you owe me no obedience .. Arise for §pJaah. A~~ah have mercy upon you!"

Snell was the M agna Charta the. f rSI Cal 11 ph of [8 lam) granted his people on the first day of his assuming post, without l"'E!JCIMest.

Abu Bakr Sends out Usamah's Punitive Expedition:

Some weeks before his death, the Prophet, peace and l)~.,esslngs be upon him, nominated Usamah Ibn Zayd,ag.ed I , seveneeen years chen, LO ~ead an expedition against ~he Levant. 54

He was to avenge the death of his father. Zayd, the freed slave of the Prophet . peace and blessings be upon him. Zayd was killed by the Levantines in the barde of Mutah, The preparations of the expeditlon were under way when the Prophet, peace and blessings he upon him. fell seriously in and later passed away .. That held up Usamah's expedition for SO[JJ1e weeks.

As soon as Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, assumed the Caliphate, the first thing he thought of was the dispatch of Usamah's punitive expedition. The death of the Prophet led some people to think that tile tight of Islam was fading away, and that many tribes that had entered the fold of Islam only a short time before were by no means firm hi faith and many of them had started to show signs of bolting out of the fold of Islam. AU this showed that things were nor going to be easy at all for ttnc incumbeut Caliph, Abu Bakr.

However, Abu Bakr had to carry out the commands of the Prophet at all costs, He was determined to send om the expedition initiated by the Messenger of Allah. peace and blessings be upon him. Some of the. Companions suggested to Abu Bakr to better drop tllc idea for the time being claiming that the time was not ripe for that as trouble was brewing all around, and lEIS such it was unwise to send troops outwhen they were urgently needed to quell the situation at home. However, Abu Bak ... would not listen to all this. rather. he said: "How can .~. fold up the flag which the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, himsel f unfurled?"

Then someone suggested that Usarnah was lOt") raw to lead the expedition, and [hal it was wiser 'to put a more experienced man in command, The suggestion caused Abu Bakr to. get furious and said: "How can I dismiss a man whom the Messenger of Allah, peace and. bl .. essings be upon him,

55

appo i nted? II'

So the troops marched out under the command of Usarblah~ahou~ three weeks after the passing away of the Prophet. peace and blessings be upon him. Abu Bakr, .111,ay AUah. be pleased with him. accompanied Usamah some distance out of Madeenah. The youthful commander was riding a horse .. white the Caliph walked by tris side to boost his morale and give his soldiers more confidence in him. Usamah said" "0 successor of the Prophet. what about you getting on the horse while r get down to walk beside you?" "By Allah, " replied Abu Bakr, '''1 will agree to neither of the two things. What harm is there if a. little dust covers my feet, while ~. go some steps nln the Cause of A11ah? For every step one takes in .AU,ah's Cause one gets the. reward of seven hundredgood deeds. I!

When Abu Bakr needed . Urnar Ibn Al-Khattaab, may Allah be pleased with him, who was then one of the men under Usamah's command, to stay behind (It Madeenah for purpose of consultation, he made a request. to Usamah to allow" Umar stay behind, and Usamah agreed to his request.

Before bidding' Muslim army farewell, Caliph Abu Bakr, m.a:y Allah be pleased with him, gave them useful advice and tina I 'instruction which serves as a code of conduct in war and this remains unsurpassed to this day. as they are still [aught to school children throughout the Muslim World, Among those Instructions' were': "Never be dishonest nor treacherous, Do not steal from the booty youlay your hands on. Do not mutilate the dead bodies of the enemy. Do not kin the aged, children and

I' women. Do nor burn date-palms. Do nm cut down frult trees.

Do not slaughter goats, or COW'S. or camel, eXQeptlur nutritional purposes. You will come across people who have taken to asceticism and sitting i 11 monasteries. so leave them

'1 ;,

atone.

, 1

1

Usamah's expedition proved very successful, as he raided the frontier d istricts of the Levant and was hack: in Madeenah after forty days.

The expedition had another good result. It proved an eyeopener to those who thought that Islam, was dy~ng out. They had a clear proof that Islam was still able to challenge one of the greatest powers of the world. This overawed the wavering tribes, and some of the tribes which had left Islam actu.aUy reenteredi ts fold,

Wars of ,Apostasy:

The consecutive victories of Muslims during the lifetime of the Prophet. peace and blessings be upon him, had the great impact ofbri,n,ging many lribeslh:u lived faraway from Madeenah to the fold. of Islam. Some of these tribes embraced Islam in admiration of'the victory achieved by Muslims, some embraced it m order to gain some worldly benefit, and some accepted Islam om of deep faith and profound conviction, This means that a great number ofMuslims had not yet got rid of the remnants of JahiJ'iyyah, particularly themanners and benaviors which characterized the, people before Islam, S0ll11e Muslims were still plagued with racism and pride, thargive rise to hatred and ill-feelings among tribes that brought them back: to their pre-Islamic manners, Thus, the Islamic creed. was not yet wellestablishedin the hearts of some Muslims. Allah Almighty says:

~._ '~',~I ~. ,~J , ' _ .... ~' ... ~ :'.3, ,_".;,o ,', ~, :s. ,,~ _ "~ __. ", ' ::' .-:

~ ',:_,J.! ,,_fi' ~U;~~~~~ dJj ~I ~;j ~J ,;aJi(tJ~, !.t:W Y'}-11~1J"

,;::, ,JJ ~ ... ;:. ;t.:!!= t. ;r,'." ~_ __... ...::r _ _ ...,.

Q):,~'), "'~ : 'J' j,,,nm4?~' 1J11'.'2-~ •. (IW-f •... -'1~ ~ "'1 ,u '~J ~ ijjl1 ,~.:.'::". t... .. ~! J~J.

r-'_" , ~'" I - ,-~ I! ... ~~ r&.i '_ ... ~ - .,;r--,.L. ~ - ~

. ,

"The desert Arahs .,Y~y" uWe believe. '" Say~ rrY,e ha;~e 110 Faith; but ye (only) say~ ;We haf'C submitted our w.ills to Allall~ , for not yet flas Faith entered your hearts. But if ye ob,e,}, A.llah aluJ His Messenger, f-le~lill not .belittle tllJght oft your deeds: for AliaTt is Oft-Forgiving, Most Uerc{ful. nf; r(Al-Hujoraat: l4)

That is why when "Uyaynah I~bn Hisn, the chief of the tribe off Bani Fazarah said when he supported Tu.layhath. who claimed Prophet hood: "A. Prophet from the two afliea (i.e. the tribes of Asad and. Gha!afaan)is far more better to us than a Prophet from Quraysh."

TIle spirit of racism of JahiUiyah reached its climax in some people who went. to extreme and claimed to be Prophet s, in order to gain some pride tmd rank among their people nor less UUU1 what Quraysh enjoyed when Islam prevailed in the lifetime of the Prophet; peace and blessings be upon him. This is attributed to their misunderstanding of Islam, the religion which does not distinguishes between Quraysh and other tribes, even if they are non-Arabs.

Thus. Al-Aswad Al- Ansi, began to convince the tribe of Mu.dhajaj that he was a Prophet who received revelation from Heaven. and was supported by some of his people; Musaylamah At-,tChadhaailJ (the liar) claimed Prophet hood in the tribe of Banu Haeefah; and l)J~,ayhah Al-Asadyy ]11 the tribe of Banu Asad also claimed to be a. Prophet; likewise, Sajaa!! claimed "Prophet: hood in the tribe of Banu Tameem,

No doubt these false claims were one way or the other supported by Muslim enemies who lost their influence and status and failed to perceive l:11E: I ight of Islam and grasp the noble teachings it conveyed. Palling in this mistake also were Jews whose disloyalty and insincerity wreaked havoc on them.

58

The same thing happened neighboring countries. The ROlU3.nS and Persians felt threatened by the upsurgmg power of Islam on theillternational arena; thus they found it a great: opportunity to pour fuel uuo jhe already named situation, En order to save themselves from being annihilated by Muslims.

Then came the death of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, to encourage U'te false Prophet s and their followers to cling to their claims and to sacrifice their lives tor rheir sake. As for Arab tribes dose to Madeenah such as "Abs, Dbabyaan. and GI,m!afa.an, they demanded that they should be relieved of ~he obligation to pay Zakaah, because they claimed il was only a tax to be paid to Quraysh,

Fighdu.g the Zakaah Withholders:

The tribes of Murrah, .. Abs, 'fila' labah Ibn S(I ~ d, and Kinanah, assembled at Abraq and Dhul Qissah close to Madeenan, and sent it deputation to Abu Bakr A§.-~ideeq, may Allah be: pleased with him, to ten him that with the passing away of the Prophet ~ peace and blessings be upon hi m " they be exempted from paying Zakno», Abu Bakr consulted his advisers" Almost all the eminent companions around Abu Bakr advised that as the Muslims were 'hemmed in by danger from all sides, it was expedient (hat the demand of the tribes should be accepted so that there was no defection from Islam. Even "Umar Ibn al-Khattaab, may AUah be pleased with him, known

~- '

for his strong attitudes, favored ~he acceptance of the demand of

the tribes. in view of the impending danger.

The question became a matter of great concern for Abu Bakr. He was. conscious of the gravity of the situation, and was aware: ot the danger 10 which the Muslim community was exposed. But he did not overlook: the other side of the picture,

Abu Bakr fe-~t that the very basis on which the demand had been raised was open to attack. It was incorrect to hold that Islam was a. matter of agreement between the Prophet and the tribes, and that after his passing away this agreement had abated and W3:j open to revision. Islam is a covenant with Allah, and as Allah exists, the passing away of the Prophet after the fulfillmertt of his mission did not ]11 any way. affect their allegiance to Islam. Islam meant total faith" aHd such faith could not be made: subject to any conditions.

As regards rhe demand for the exemption from paying Zakaah, Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him felt that if he conceded to the demand, that might ease the situation temporarijy, but that could in turn lead to other demands, and after having accepted one demand ir would be difficnlr to refuse other demands. If any concession. was once given in

.. -,"; ~

consideration of tribal loyalties" that would be subversive of ~he solidarity of Islam, Abu Bakr felt that as the successor of tne Prophet. peace and blessings be upon him. it was his duty to safeguard Islam, and as such be could not follow a policy of appeasement likely to compromise Islam in anyway.

Another consideration that weighed with Abu Bakr was that Zakaahis not a levy subject to political considerations; it is an imperarive injunction ordained by Allah, and equated with Salaah.

The matter of fact posinon was [hac where Alrnighty Allah and the Prophet ~eft any matter to m~e discretion of the community, the comumnity could take such action as might be necessary on the basis (If expediency" but where the command of Allah O~I"' the Prophet is definite and conclusive" it is absolute and mandatory j and it could not he compromised or modified because ef any considerations of necessity 'Or expediency, A. Iter considering all aspects of the case, Abu Bakr carne to [he

{In

conclusion that he had no jurisdiction to grant an exemption from Zakaah, and that as the successor of the Prophet .) peace and blessings be upon him, it devolved on him to enforce the command of Allah in letter as. well as in spirit, and not to seek to modify it for one reason or the other. Abu Bakr' 51 judgment, therefore. was that under the circumstances, he had no option but to refuse the demand of the tribes. This conviction strengthened his determination to stand firm, and [0 refuse to comproruise Islam.

Abu Bakr took ' Umar and. other companions. into confidence. .. Umar tried to insist on his previous advice of giving the concession, but .. as Abu Bakr unfolded his arguments step by step, all the companions came round to the view (hat [he truth was w hat Abu Bakr said.

When on the. following day. Abu Bakr met the delegation of the tribes, he explained to them the philosophy of paying Zakaah. He brought home to. them jhe point [hat he had no jurisdiction to grant any concession in respect of a matter which was a mandate of Almighty AU~h. He explained to them that if they profe-ssed Islam, they had to observe all the injunctions and dictates of Islam in toto. There was no hal f way house in t~dam., and it 'NUS not permissible t:or them 10 pick and choose Islam according w their whi rns and caprices. Islam had either to he rejected or accepted, and U~en;"; was no room in tstam f()[' any compromise on fundamentals. Abu. Bakr argued that Zakaal: being a fundamental' injunction of Islam had to be paid with good grace. and any refusal to pay Zakaat: implied apostasy. ln unequivocal terms Abu Bakr declared: "By Allah! ~. will tight those who distinguish between Salaah and Zakaah (obligatory charity), because Zakaaii is (he compulsory right to be taken from oue's property {according to Allah's Commands). By Allah, if [hey refuse to give me even H'Ie cord used for hobbling the feet of a camel, which they used to pay as Zakaah at the

,(~ 1

time of Allah's Messenger, peaceand 'blessings be upon him, I would fight them tor withholding ~t. IP Then' Umar said. "By Allah there was. no doubt that Allah guided Abu Bakr's heart towards the decision to fight them, which II.atter foundwas the truth .. "

When Abu Bakr rejected the demand. of the tribes to absolve them of the obligation to pay Zakaah, they took such refusal as a cha11enge..[slam sa[ lightly on them, and tribal feelings were most dominant 'in them. They accordingly decided that if Islam involved the payment of Zakaah to Madeeuah, they would prefer to forego Islam ~ rather than yield to the dictates of the authorities in Madeenah,

During their stay In Madeenah, the delegates of the tribes saw for themselves that with the march of the main Muslim army under Usamah to the Levant, there was Jtardly any fighting force with ~he Musllms in Madeenah, and as such the: city was vulnerable .. When (he delegates returned to their tribes, and gave :&1] account of what Abu Bakr h~td said, they incited them to 'fight him. They decided to attack Madeenah when the main Muslim army was away, and leach the then authorities a lesson. The tribes concentrated their forces at Dhul Hissaand

- - -

Dhul Qissah to the. north east of Madeenah on the way 10 Najd,

and decided to launch the attack against Madeenab,

When the de legates of the tnbes left Madeenah m a sutlen mood. Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased 'with him, discerned that they jneant miscJde.f,and ~hat an attack by the tribes was imminent. l-Ie immediately gave orders (0 Muslims to make their arrangements. for the defense of Madeenah. SU'O]!iJ£; pickets under Khalid Ibn Al-Waleed, Az-Zubayr, Ja.lhah. '- Abdur-Rabrnaan Ibn Awf," Abdullaah Ibn Mas'ood and' Ali

·6;2

Ibn Abi Ta.anb. may Allah be pleased with them, were, posted. at strategic approaches to the city, These pickets were required to remain a[theirposts.and l.omake immediate report to the Caliph about the movemenrs of the tribes. All the adultmale Muslims were asked to assemble ill the Prophet's. mosque, where Abu. Bakr A~-Sideeq. may Allah be; pleased withhim, informed them of the impending danger of an attack from the tribes. and asked Ithem W do their duty to Islam. He brought home to them the pomt that if they staked their everything in the way of Allah. AUah would conle to their help as He had. helped them during the Iifetime of tI:K~ 'Prophet" peace and. blessings be; upon him, He said to ~hem: "The delegation noticed that: your number are few, and you do not know whether they will attack you by day or at night. and they are not far from you, so be on

.' . -

your guard and make arrarrgements." A roster ofali Muslim

male adults 1[1'1 the city was prepared, and their sums for keeping the vigil during the nights were fixed.

After three days. the withholders of Zakaah made brisk movement in the camp of the tribea nt Dhul H;issa..h. The Muslim scouts brought intelligence that the tribes planned 'to attack Madeenah that night Abu Bakr collected aU the Muslim male adults in the mosque. After ~alaatul- "Ishaa' (night. prayer) these men were required to spread out ~n groups to keep vigil in the various quarters of t.he city. At the head of a contingent Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, took position at a strategic POilU in the direction of Dhul Hissah from where the attack was expected"

The tribes launched the aU~u::k at midnigtu. They had hoped that they woutd take the ci~yby surprise: and that as there was no flghting force in Madeenah, 'Ehey would meet no resistance, and it womd be, an easy walk-over for them .. As the tribal force ndvancedin the darkness of the night fully assured of their victory, n~e contingent of Abu Baler" may Allah he

63

pleased with him, leapt on the advancing horde. and lOOK them unawares .. Many tribesmen fell victims to the swords of the Muslims: the rest fled in utter confusion.

The Muslims chased the enemy and advanced to Dhul Hissah. Here the retreating tribesmen were joined by their reserves. In the battle at Dhul Hi_ssab, the Muslims though few in number" fought with grim determination. As a. stratagem the tribesmen threw inflated water skins in the path of '[he Muslim army) and that fl"igh;tene.d [he camels on which the Muslims were riding; the camels did not rest till they reached Madeenah. The tribes felt jubilant at what they regarded as the repulse of the Muslims. Thinking that all Waf .. over, the tribes refired [0 '[heir camps at Dhul Hissah and Dhul Qi~ah,

Back in Madeenah, Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him. rallied the M uslim forces, and mustered all available reserves to attack the enemy. In the late hours, of the night, the Muslim forces rushed out of [he city. and led a violent attack against the enemy at Dhul Hissah, The tribal forces were taken

...... . - ~-

unawares and they retreated to Dhul Qissah. The Muslims

- -

pursued them. to Dhnl Qjs~mh. There was fighting at Dhul

~ - . -.~

Qissah but the tribal force could not withstand the fury of the

attack of the Muslims. Many tribesmen were em to pieces, Those who survived ned in confusion" Before the day dawned the Muslims had won a victory and they were the masters of Dhul Qissah. Abu Bakr was on the vanguard of [he Muslim

- -

army. and! when his men said to him: "0 successor of AU.<lh 's

Messenger. do not expose your life to dange r , for if you are harmed there: would be no guide for Muslims, so send a man in your behalf, and jf he is killed send another one .. I" Thereupon Abu Bakr said, "Nay, By Allah I win never do this, nor win 1 sacrifice your souls to save myself." Such was the ideal Abu Bakr, who fought i.n defense of Islam in the' absence of U sarnah Ibn Zayd from Madeenh.

The battle of Dhul Qissah had many good consequences.

The: victory of Dhul Qissah was the first signi ficant event of the caliphate of Abu Bakt As-Sideeq may Allah be. pleased with him, When Abu Bakr returned to Madeenah from Dhul Qissah he was acclaimed as a hero. a worthy successor of the Prophet. In the midst of the most adverse circumstances he remained firm and never lost faith, By his superb leadership he had averted the threat: to the city of Madeenah, By refusing to compromise on principle-sin spite of heavy odds, he established that he was made of stuff that characterize heroes.

Another important consequence of the, battle of Dhul Qissah was that: 'it crystallized: the issues . Heretofore there were tribes which. favored [slam, hut: still wavered in their allegiance to Madeeuah. Again there were tribes which preferred to sit on the fence and watch developments. After the battle of Ohul Qiss,a.h"mallY tribes sent their delegations to Madeenah, swore allegiance to the authorities in Madeenan and paid Zakaah, The tribes that did not favor [dam openly apostatized, Henceforward the issue was not he tween Muslims and Muslims; tile issue was between the, Muslims and rhe apostates. The battle of D~_~ll,l Q~ssah indeed set the stage tor the apostasy campaigns".

Campaigns against the Aposta~es,:

No sooner had Usamah Ibn Zayd, may Allah be pleased with him, achieved victory in his expedition 10 (he Levant and returned to Madeenah than Abu Bakr As-Sideeq, may Allah be pleased with him, made a plan to put an end to apostasy from Islam in a~l corners of the Arab Peninsu I a, after defeating the Zakaai: withholders who tried to attack Madeenah.

To achieve this Abu Bakr, may AI1ah be pleasedwith him, made use of two ways: the peaceful way and the warring

(~~

one. With regard to the peaceful way> he called upon [he apostates to re-embrace Islam after they had bolted away from its fold and. to give up their hostile activities. He sent envoys to all apostates and to draw their attention to the message the Prophet , peace and blessings be upon him, conveyed M the people, and to call upon them to return to Islam. The message read: tl] am sending you a Muslim force consisting of the Muhojreen and the A.n~aar and Tabi 'e'en. I have ordered. them not to launch any attack against you. 0]] they first call you to return to Allab; he who repents" responds to the, call" give up hostile activities against Islam, and do good. deeds will be forgiven an d granted amnesty, And he who refuses to return to Islam. aod persists in hostilitywill be given no quarter; force will be used against him. he will be put to sword. slaughtered, or burnt to death. Their women and children wiU be taken captive. Nothing short of allegiance: to Islam win be accepted, He who seeks refuge ln Islam, such faith wm stand him in good stead. But he who persists in his apostasy will never be able to humble Allah. J have ordered my envoys to read this message of urine in public garherings, Calling the Adhan (prayer call) will be regarded as an indication of the acceptance of Islam .. Iff there is no Adhem this. win be taken to mean that the tribe persists in 'its apostasy .. II

As for the warring way, Abu lBakr formed the Muslim forces into eleven corps each under its own commander, Each commander was given a flag and assigned an objective. The commanders were further authorized to recruit orher soldiers on th.e way in their march to Fulfil their objectives .. The first corps were placed under the command of Khalid Ibn Al- Waleed, may Allah be pleased with him. They required to take action agaiWist Tulayheh of the Banu Asad tribe. The reatter , they were to proceed against the Ba.ni Taraeerns. The second corps under "Ikrarna Ibn Abi Jahl, may Allah be pleased with him, were required to take action against the false Prophet Musaylmah of

66

the Banu Haneefah tribe, but it was required not to engage the enemy till they received further reinforcement. The third corps under .. AmI Ibn Al-" Aas were required to take action against the tribes of Quzaa all. Wadee' ah and Harith 111 the areas of Gala, and Doomat Al-Jandal near the borders of Syria. The fourth corps under Sharahbeel Ibn Hasanah, may Allah be pleased with him, was required to follow "Ikramah and await further instructions. I'he fifth corps under Khalid Ibn Sa' eed was required to operate on the Syrian border in the Hamqatan region, The sixth corps under Turayfah Ibn Haajiz were required to take action against the apostate tribes of Hawazin and Banu Sulaym in the region east of Makkah and Madeenah, The seventh corps under A 1- ... Alaa I Ibn Hadramyy were commissioned 10 operate aga-inst the tribes in Bahrain. The eighth corps onder ~ Agrafah Ibn Harsama were required to take action against the tribes. in the coastal area of lower Yemen. The ninth corps under Hudhayfah Ibn Mu!:!.san were required to take action against the apostates in Oman. The tenth corps under Muhajir Ibn Abi Umayyah were required to operate in Upper Yemen and Hadramaut. The eleventh corps under Suwayd Ibn Maqrau were required to operate in the coastal areas north of Yemen.

As the various corps left to fulfil (heir objectives, Abu Bakr. may Allah be: pleased with him. 'instructed the commanders to fear and be conscious of Almighty Allah. They were to exert; themselves to the utmost in Allah's Cause, and to allow no sloth 10 retard their efforts. They were, commanded that if any tribe responded with the Adhauit was not to be molested or attacked. Those who did not rnake such response were to be. dealt with by fire and sword. An apostates guilty of murdering Muslims were to be killed, Those who were guilty of burning Muslims alive were to be likewise burnt alive. Abu Bakr insisted that 'the 0111y options for the apostate tribes were unconditional surrender or war until total destruction. The

67

commanders were enjoined not to dishonor the vow they pledged. They were also forbidden to depart from the targets assigned to them, with out further instructions.

Campaign agajnsil~layhah:

Tulayhah belongedto the tribe of Banu Asad in northern Arabia. He had laid claim. to Prophet hood and divine revelation during the lifetime of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him". He used to ridicule the Muslim way of Performing §_alan1t. and ask the followers of Muharnmad, peace and blessings be upon him, to pray standing. He used to say, "AUaJh does not want you to invert your faces. or bend your backs in ug.ly postures, pray to Allah while standing, in a noble manner. ,,"

The Prophet peace and blessings be upon him, directed punitive action against the false Prophet He sent to him paraar Ibn Al-Azwad to crush him and a11 Muslims in the tribe: of Asad, In his anxiety to. have the benediction of killing a false Prophet, Daraar sneaked into the camp of Th.lay_bah with . a view to murdering him, but the attempt was foiled, and that made: the followers ofTul.ay~ah proclaim that no sword could harm their so-called Prophet

Before the Muslim army commissioned by the Prophet could advance: agatnst Tu)ay!!ah, the Prophet. passed away .. Iul.ay!!ah then declared that the death of Ute Prophet was a sign. corroborative 01' his claim to Prophet hood. Many other tribes acknowledged TuLa:y!!ah as the Prophet, and the argument (hat weighed with them was that while Muhammad peace and blessings. be upon him" was dead. Tula'Yhah was alive, and a living Prophet was to be preferred to' a dead one. Tul.ay,hah used. to say to his people, '''A Prophet from Banu Asad is dearer (,0 me than a Prophet from Banu Hashim. II

The Banu Fazarah tribe joined their leader "Uyaynah Ibn Hi_§:n and supported Tula:y!!ah. The tribes of ' Abs, Ghatafaan, Banu Bakr also made common cause with Tul.ayha~l .. Parts of the Bani Tayy' and Harm Jadeelah also joined the ranks of Tu]aygah. That made Tula:y!!a.h sufficiently Strong and powerful, and he came to lead a confederacy of' numerous tribes who held Northeast Arabia.

Just then when Tulay!!ah began to influence ~he people and a great number had feUo-wed him and apostated from Islam, Abu Bakr A~-~ideeq. may Allah be pleased with him, commissioned Khalid Ibn Waleed, may Allah be pleased with him" to undertake punitive operations against Tulay~.ah. He. mustered an army of 4,000 Muslims from the Ansa:ar and jWuht~jireen and those who followed in "their footsteps.

"Adiyy Ibn Hatim A!-Taa'i may Allah he pleased with him, who was fighting in the army of Khalid Ibn Al-Waleed, may Allah be pleased with him, used his influence on the people of the tribes of Tayy' and Jadeelah and convinced them not to follow Tulay!!ah. He managed to wean them from the, support of TulaY,hah and brought them back to the fold of Islam; they were even influenced by his invitation to the extent 111m they joined the ranks of the Muslim army under the command of Khalid Ibn AI- Waleed, may Allah be pleased with him. Through the efforts of" Addiyy. the aU],ed tribe Bam; Jadeelah also detached itself from Tulayball and joined the fold of Islam. The addition of the contingents of Bani Tayy' ~ndBanu Jadeelah considerably strengthened the Muslims ..

It was not long before the two armies met at Buz:akhah, When the Muslim army reached Buzakha, they were 'confronted 'by the forces of the apostate tribes. In spite of some defections, the forces of the confederate tribes were considerable in strength, and outnumbered the Musl irn force. Khaf d Ibn AI-

6t

Waleed, may Allah be pleased with him" called upon Tulayhah [0 surrender to Islam, but the latter refused and rejected the invitation. Thereupon rhe two armies dashed" The Musthn forces were commanded by Khalid while the forces of Tulayhah were commanded by "Uyaynah Ibn Hi~n, the chief of Bani Fazarah. The two armies were wen matched. and. the outcome of' the battle seemed uncertain.

TulayJtah did not take part in the battle, but kept himself hidde-, inside a tent, and pretended to await inspiration from Heaven. While Khalid Ibn Al-Waleed was increasing his pressure, ' U yaynah hard pressed, waite-d on Tu] ay,hah to inquire whether he had received any heavenly message about the outcome of the battle, TuIay!!ah rep~ied that the request made by him was under consideration in the heaven, and at reply was expected any moment." Uyaynah leda charge against the Muslim forces, butwas 'beaten back with heavy losses, He again waited on, Tulaybah. and wanted to know whether any reply had come to him front the heavens .. Tuluyhah said that Allah had spoken to him in tbe following terms: "Your hopes and that of Khalid shall remain at variance; and between yen matters are so ordained that an event win make place which you wit] never forget. r· At this ambiguous message carrying no sense, "Uyaynah realized tha.t Tulay!!ah was an imposter, and his cause was doomed to failure. He told Tulay!!ah~ "Woe unto you! I am leaving. H ,. Uyaynah asked the men of his tribe to break camp and retreat to save themselves.

Wi"tIh the withdrawal of .. Uyaynah and his men the tide of the battle was turned in favor of the Muslims: Khalid tntensified the attack, and the battlefield carne to be strewn wid) the dead bodies of the men of !ul,ay~a.h., Flnding resistance useless, .Tulay~ah escaped with his wife ito As-Shaam, Wi!rrh the withdrawal of Tu~ay!!ah [he battle was over, The Muslims had achieved a significant victory, and Most of the tribes

70

surr9!O;dered and accepted Islam. Those who sHU remained opposed to Islam retreated and sought refuge further inland,

After the battle had finished, Khalid declared general amnesty for those who re-entered the [old of Islam and expressed regret for their past behavior. Those who had perpetrated atrocmes on the Muslims were likewise apprehended and subjected to severe punishment. Abu Bakr approved of the action Khali d had taken, and sent: hi rn a message" saying: "May Allah bestow on you more blessings, Fear A]~ah as regards your duties, for A[[Hh In! AII,an is with those: who keep their duty unto Him, andthose who are gooddoers .. '"

The vacillating 'tribes In '~he region who had. been sitting on the fence, and had preferred, to watch the COlJw~Se of events submitted, to the authority of Madeenah, paid. Zakaal: and were re-admitted ro Tslam ~ The chiefs of the tribes who Sill rrendered were sent to Madeenah for presentation before Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased. with him.

Tu~a:y!!ah being left alone, jumped onto his horse; and on escape [rom Buzakhalr, he sought refuge in Ash-Shaarn. When Ash-Shaam was occupied by the 'Mus~'lms, T'ulayhah reembraced Jslam, and again his career .as a false Prophet came to an end. Later he joined the Muslim arn.1Y and took conspicuous 'Part. in the bartles o.'r Qadsiyyah and Nebavand .• du.ring. the caliphate of' Umar lbn Al-Khattaab, may Allah be p~ealse:d with htm.

Sajaah., the False Prophetess:

Alnong ~he false Prophets who rose in Arabia as a result (If the apostasy movement was an Arab Christian lady named Sajaa!! Binr Al-Harirh Ibn Suayd, of Taghlib, who claimed

71

herself to he a Prophetess. She belonged to the tribe of Bani Tameem,

Sajaa!! was a beautiful lady of an attractive personality, She dabbled in clairvoyance, and professed to' predict future. She wasa poetess, and lTIOSUy talked in verse. She had qualities of leadership • and W~lS popular with her people. When she came to, know that after the death of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, 1u1ayba!! and Musayhnah had declared themselves as Prophet s, she also followed suite and claimed Prophet hood. Soon she succeeded ~11 mustering a good following from among the Banu Taghlib, [he clan of her mother.

In her attempt to' gather some followers from. her father's dan as well, Sajaah contacted Malik Ibn Nuayrah, the chief of the Banu Yarboo section of the Bani Tameem, the clan of her father. At' the 'invitation of M~lht Ihn Nuayrah, Saj1amh came to Brn!aa!!~ the headquarters of the clan and entered into a pact with him.

Mallik felt that w]th the help of Sajaah and her people he could overpower such of the sections of the tribe who were opposed to himvHe acknowledged Sajaah as a Prophet ess, and incited her to crush the Barm Yarboo . Sajaah undertook to help him in asserting his authority over [he section of the Banu Yarboo ~ who were opposed ITO him, The combined forces of Malik and Sajaah received some miual success .. Then Sajaa_h decided to proceed to Yamamahh, the stronghold of the false Prophet Musaylmah Um J~!abeeb Al-Kadhaab,

Musaylamah a cunning man did not go on war against Sajaah.. Instead he invited her to visit Yamamah as his honored guest. Siiljaah accepted the invitation, and proceeded to Yalm~mtlhin Central Arabia. Musay lamah held a royal

72

reception in her honor. Musaylamah was a handsome man of attractive personality. and Sajaa!! was extremely beautiful and passionate. Both were mutually attracted. Musaylamah paltered the vanity of Sajaah, and argued that as the Muslims Were their common enemy, it would be to their mutual interest to join forces, and. overpower the Muslims by united action. The idea appealed LO Sajaa!h and she said voiced her willingness to make common cause with him.

Then Musaylamah took another step forward and suggested that in order to strengthen their alliance it was but meet that they should be physically united as well and become husband and wire. Sajaab fell in line with his way of thinking, and agreed [0 become his wife. Musaylarnah said that in view of their mutual concurrence, it was necessary that such alliance should take place at once without losing any time .. Under [he spell of the magnetic personality of Musaylamah, Sajaa!! agreed that the marriage should take place at; once. Musaylamah took Sajaab_ to his camp where she remained with him for three days and. three nights as hisw]fe. As a wedding gHt Musaylamah declared that for their common followers the prayers in the morning and in the evening were no longer obligatory and that henceforward the number of prayers per day was to be reduced from five h) three. I-Ie also agreed to pay Sajaa!! a share OUJ of the revenue-s of Yamamah.

Instead of remaining with Musaylamah at Yamamah as his wedded wife, Sajaah decided to return to her people in Iraq. The followers of Sajaah felt frustrated at this turn of events. and they did not like their Prophet ess becoming mistress of Musaylamah, Presumably S~~iaa!! also realized that in marrying Musaylamah she had lost the battle. From some accounts it appears that Sajaa!! was already married. and she surrendered 1.0 Musaylamah under some hypnotic influence. When this spell was over, and she realized the depth to which she had degraded

13

herself she found safety in reruming to Iraq ,When she returned 10 her people in Iraq that was the end of the adventure of Prophet hood. She lived jn obscurity for the rest of her life. When dle Muslims conquered Iraq she became a Muslim along with the other members of her tribe .. During the caliphate of Muawiyiah she resided at Kufa, where she died at a sufficiently adva. -ced age,

Having reduced the Bani Asad and Bani Fazara, Khalid biu Walid decided to 111J.rdl against the Bani Tameem who Jived on a, plateau to the east. The Ban] Tameem had accepted Islam during the Iifetime of the Prophet .. After the death of the Prophet when the waves of apostasy spread over Arabia, the Bani Tameem were also affected. The tribe came to be divided into two sections .. One section remained faithful. to Islam .. while the other section repudiated [heir allegiance to Islam. There was however some confusion as to who among the tribe favored Islam and who were against it.

WIlen Khalid gave. order to march to Bitaah, the An~aar in the army refused to join him. Their stand was that the Caliph had not sanctioned any operation against the Bani Tameem. Khalid said that being the Commander of the forces operating in the region, he was ill '[he best position to blOW which operations should or should not be undertaken '1111 the interests of the mission for achieving the supremacy of Islam. He said: "This matter is inevitable, and a chance that has to be seized. I did not receive any message from (the caliph). and I am the Commander and to me come the news. yet. wHI not force you to march. but I am heading for Al-Bitaah .. 'I'

Then jhe army of Khalid marched forward, while the An~aar stayed behind. After some time on second thought, the Ansaar also decided to accompany Khalid, They accordingly rejoined the main Muslim army at the next stage of their march.

14

The orders of Abu, Bakr, m2JY Allah be pleased with him, were that if any tribe professed faith in Islam, no action should be 1'.0:; ~~,e'11 'oc; q "'" t l18' t 't' ·t'· ~f a' tri be d idn otnrofess fa ith in Islam. it,

t: t,nitl. a..~(U..'. ,. it., ... ,.! ,., ,. ... . II, I''''' ... ~' .. ,~... .~.~ . . .,,, " ..... , ..

was to be invited to repent and be reverted to Islam. Operations were to be undertaken against a tribe o.n~y in the evens of its refusal. It was laid down that If on reaching the settlement of a tribe, the Muslim army heard the tribe give Adhaan. it was to be understood that the people of the tribe acknowledged Islam. In the absence of such response it was to be presumed that the people-had apostatized,

Before the MusHJlI1 army reached Bitaah, a delegation of Bani Tameem waited on Khalid, They brought with them the amount of the .'Zllkaah payable to the Muslims. Khalidtook the amount, but continued his advance to Bitaah. When the Muslim. army reached Bitaah, there were no forces of the Bani Tameem to oppose the Muslims. The position W8JS confused ... Malik Ibn Nuayrah, the chief of the Ban] Tameem, neither carne forward to give his loyalty, nor did he cOnDx.l:orward [0 oppose the Muslims. On the o~her hand he went into hiding, That made him the subject of suspicion. Khalid directed his soldiers to forage in the neighborhood. As a result of such operations, Malik and his wife Layla were ~aken captiveand brought before Khalid .. Malik's wire, Layla was known far and near for her breathtaking beauty,

Abu Qatadah, Al-Harith lbn Rib" yy Al-Ansaaryy, tesrifledthar the prisoners offered Salaah, while others said they neither gave Adhaan nor offered prayer, The prisoners retired. for the night. At: the dead of night, Khalid ordered that the night being cold, the prisoners should be kept warm, but ~h[s order was m isunderstocd to be an order formurder. Accord ing]y , Malik al!1JJd his male companions were killed, h was Daraar Ibn

7:5

Al-Azwad who murdered Malik Ibn Nuwayrah .. , Having seen the Malik and his companions killed, Khalid remarked, !'U Allah wills that something should occur" it surety occurs."

After the death of Malik, the entire tribe of Bani Tameem surrendered and professed faith. in Islam. Khalid innnediately married Layla, the beautiful widow of Malik Ibn Nuwayrah,

The campaign against the Bani Tameem was a

masterstroke from the political point of view. It brought the entire tribe to the fold of Islam. From the mjlitary point of view the significance of the action at Bitaah was that [he re-ar of Sajaah, [he talse Prophetess, was cut off. and she could no longer count on the support of Bani Tarneem.

The episode, however. ted to considerable scandal. In some quarters it was held that Malik was indeed a Muslim, and that he had been murdered merely because Kh,aHd coveted his pretty wife. Some of the AH~(IW· in the army of Khalid ~ed by Abu Qatadah refused to fight under the command of Khalid, Abu Qatadah along. with Malik' s brother set out for Madeenah to lodge a complaint against Khalid before the Caliph, Mu'I'ameem was a distinguished poet, and he composed an elegy mourning the death of his brother, and condemning Khalid as his murderer. These verses became popular Jn Madeenah and those who listened to then} grieved at the murder of Mank.

Khalid was summoned to Madeenah and was asked to clarify his position, There were two charges against him: murdering a Muslim man and marrying his wife. Khalid's defense of himself 'was. that if according to the Prophet. peace

and blessings be upon him, he WClS the "Sword of Allah", such sword could not fan O'n the neck. of a Muslim,

On entering the Grand Mosque iin his rusty armor with arrows stuck 'in his turban, KI~alid was noticed by ~ Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab, who went up [0 hnn, pulled om the arrows and broke them into pieces. He said threateningly: 11Yon have killed a Muslim in cold blood and taken his wife for yours' By Allah! y 01U deserve to be stoned!" N eve rtheless, when Kha lid met the Caliph. he managed to defend himself and was excused, [hough he did not escape being criticized for his disgraceful marriage with Layla.

"Umar was 0,1' the view that Khalidwas to he blamed,

~ .

and he should be suitably punished. Abu Bakr felt that (l

mil itary commander, _~halid was indispensable. His view was that even if it was held that Khalid was guilty of a lapse, such lapse could be passed over in the broader interest of Islam. Musaylamah in the Yamamah valley was posing a gre-at threat. to the Muslims .. Two Muslim Generals sent against Musaylamah had suffered defeat The position was critical. and at that stage a General of the caliber of Khalid alone 'could vindicate the honor 001' Islam. Abu Bakr decided to overlook the lapse of Khalid, am) directed him. W undertake operations against Musaylamah .. As there were doubts whether Malik was or was 110't a Muslim, Abu Bakr decidedthat blood money should be paid out of the Baytul- Maal to the heirs of Malik for his murder.

~ Umar did not feel happy at this decision of Abu Bakr.

When .. Umar remonstrated, Abu Bakr observed: "Umar, I cannot sheathe the sword" which Allah has intended to he wielded against the. non-Muslims .. "

77

Campaign Against Musaylamah Al .. Khadhaab (The Liar):

Of an the imposters and false- Prophet s who rose in Arabia after the death of the Prophet. peace and blessings be upon him. the most notorious and dangerous was Musaylamah Al-Khadhaah (the llar), who belonged to the Banu Haneefah

tribe of Central Arabia, -

Musaylamah visited Madeenah during the lifetime of the Prophet, and enjoyed the privilege of his company for some time, On return from Madeenah, Musaylamah, however, claimed himself to be a Prophet of Allah. He laid claim to a divine mission and formed a new creed, where he absolved his followers from the obligations of Sly.aam and Zaktl,ah. reduced the number of dally prayers, andmade adultery and drinking lawful to the people, He also forbade bis followers to cohabit with their wives once they had become mothers. In imitation of the Glorious Qur'an he recited rhythmical sentences and bits of doggerel. which he had himself composed, but gave out as having been revealed by Almighty Allah.

Musaylamah had an attractive personality and was endowed with a superb physique .. fie was a good speaker, and could sway the masses .. He exploited these qualities, and succeeded in winning over a considerable following.

With his illness becoming serious. the Prophet , peace and. blessings be upon him, asked Musaylamah to abandon his pretensions. However, Musaylamah sent an impudent letter to the Prophet, saying: Ii From Musylamah, the Prophet of Allah to Muhammad, the Prophet of Allah. Surely Allah has made me your partner in Prophet hood. Let us divide the earth 'between ourselves, 'I' To this l"i.lC Prophet. peace and blessings be upon him, replied: "In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful, From MtI!!.unmad. the 'Prophet of Allah, to

is·

Musaylamah the Liar! Peace be upon. those who follow the truth. Surely the earth belongs to Allah, and. gives it as a heritage to such of His servants as He wishes; and the sequel is for the righteous,

The Prophet, peace and blessings he upon him, deputed Nahr Ar-Rajjaal Ibn .. Unfuwah, a Muslim convert fromthe tribe of Banu~aneefa.h, to go back to his people ~n order to propagate Islam and refutelhe claims of Musaylamah. On return to his tribe, Nahr Ar-Rajja,al fell a victim ro the blandishments of Musaylamah, and falsely declared that he was witness to the fact that the Prophet had acknowledged Musaylamah as co-sharer in the divine mission. That established the credentials of Musaylamah, and the number of his followers increased cons iderably,

With the death of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. Musaylamah gained in strength further. The general argument thatprevaited wita the people was that Mu!_!ammad, peace be upon. him. was dead while Musaylarnah was alive" and. that a living Prophet was to be preferred to a dead. one. Many tribes who were hostile to Islam joined hls ranks.

Abu Bakr. may Allah be pleased with him, originally entrusted the operations to crush Musaylamah to "Ikrimah Ibn Abi Jahl. Sharhabeel Ibn Hasanah was to advance with another column to the assistance of" Ikrimah. Though strict orders were given to "lkrimah by Abu Bakr not to engage in a battle with the impostor till reinforcements arrived, he was so anxious to get the bener of him that he immediately started fi ghtiug Musaylamah, and the Muslims were beaten back with considerable losses. When the mews of the defeat reached Madeenah, Abu Bakr felt very much sad and distressed .. Some time later, Sharhabeel arrived in the Yamaamah valley with his

column. He also launched ao anack against Musaylaruah without waiting for help. and was also defeated.

Two successive defeats created an embarrassing situation for the .MusHms. That raised the morale of the followers of Musaylamah who proudly declared that Musaylamah was 'indeed a Prophet and divine help was on their side.

It was ar d~is critical juncture that Abu Bakr, may AUah be pleased with him, commissioned Khalid Ibn. At-Al-Waleed, may Allah be pleased with him, to set off on a campaign against Musaylamah, Elaborate arrangements were made to reinforce the army of Khalid, Seasoned soldiers were included in the force under his c01J1u.1amJ. Al-Baraa' Ibn Malik and Thabit Ibn Qays led the contingents. of the Ansaar, while Abu Hadhayfah and Zayd led the contingent of the Muhajreen, Against his declared policy, Abu Bakr permitted the veterans of Badr to join [he forces of Khalid. Among others, those who joined the force were 'Abdur Rahmaan Ibn Abi Bakr;" Abdullaah Ibn "Umar, and Abu Dujaanah the renowned warrior of Uhud, may Allah be pleased with themall,

The 8attl.e or ... Aqraba:

Frora Madeenah the Muslim army proceeded to Bi!aai!.

Here contingents from [he Muslim tribes Joined the force .. From there the Muslim army marched south to the valley of Yamaamah under the command of Khalid Ibn Al-Waleed. In the way the Muslim army came across some men of Banu Haneefah led by Mc~jaa" ah Ibn Maraarah, Under the orders of K:uaHd; all of them were put to death except Majaa ah, whom Khalid kept in custody to serve as a hostage, because he was well aware of [he tricks and tactics of war; He was put in chains, and entrusted to the custody of Layla, the new wife of Khalid. who

accompanied him. to the battlefield. Khalid ordered him to care of her"

Musaylamah intercepted the advance of the Muslim army at the plain or ~ Aqraba, Here the' two opposing armies arranged their tanks for the encounter. The battle that followed was hotly contested. The forces of Musaylamah numbered over 4,0001• wh~~ethe strength of the Muslim army did not exceed 11,000. Besides being outnumbered the Muslim forces suffered from certai n disa b i ~ ities . Th ere we re di fferenceshetween the tribes. [he An~aar and the Muhajreeu,

When the battle of' Aqraha nared up there was Musaylamah's eloquent son. Sharhabeel, to egg the troops on and boost their morale. He reminded them of Khalid t s cruelty and warned them that unless they fought bravely their women would he taken captives.

A dust storm blew across the yaney against the faces of the Muslims. Taking advantage of IttJ1[,S, the forces of Musaylamah increased their pressure. and the Muslims had W fan back. Some men of the Banu Haneefah even reached the tent of Khalid where Majaa c.. a11. was in chains guarded by Layla, These men wanted to kill Layla, and rescue Majaaah. MujaaJ' ah called upon them to desist from raising their hands against a woman. He wanted them. to. go and klU some men. These :lUeJ1 left the camp, and said that they would return after some time to rescue Majaa '. ah. In the confusion that followed, the party could not come back; and 'in the meantime the :Mus.Hms. were able to 'take precautionary measures.

When the battle for the first day ended, there was jubilation in the camp' of Musaylamah. Though Khalid had been forced to withdraw he refused to admit defeat. He regrouped his army in tribal commands and exhorted the various tribes eo

81

show their valor on the battlefield. Prom within the Makkah and Maoinite horsemen he created a reserve force of a thousand cavalrymenand kept them under his personal command.

When the battle began on the next day. the forces of Musaylamah elated by the pride: of victory en the first day made the bid to push forward, Al-Baraa' was the commander of one. of the Muslim wings. There was a strange peculiarity of A!IBaraa'. Whenever he would go 1tO fight. his whole body would shake necessitating others to hold him. After some time his body would stop shaking. and. he would feel electrified. He would then rush forward against the enemy and fight like a lion. At the battle of .. Aqraba he had his fit of shivering, and thereafter be plunged into the thick of the battle crying, 1'0 Muslims. where do you go? Here am I ~ Al-Baraa I Ibn Mal Ht: come to me, II Al-Baraa 1 and his men made a determined charge.

"Abdur Rahmaan Ibn Abi Bakr shut an arrow from his how that killed Muhhkam Ibn A!- Tufayl who commanded the forces of Musayla .. mah.

At this stage the two armies encountered each other in a headlong combat. As the forces of Musaylamah were larger in number, such state of affairs. was advantageous (0 them. While the: front ranks of the two armies grappled with each other ]11 hand to hand fight, Khalid collected his cavalry reserves. and carrying out a wide outflanking movement, dashed for [he mounds where the camp (If Musaylamah was located ... The boldness of ~he move of Kl~al.ic11ook Banu Haneefah completely unawares. The bodyguard of Musaylarnah fought valiantly. but they could not hold ground {'{U long. As Khalidincreased his pressure, Musaylamah lost his nerves, and. retreated to a ueighboring fortified garden.

The Battle of the Garden:

With the withdrawal of Musaylamah, his army lost the Sl

will (0 fight, and. [hey too found safety in seeking refuge in the garden" A h~ge wall surrounded the-garden, and rille fugitives closed the gate jhes shutting access to the pursuing Muslims, Al-Baraa' Ibn. Malik asked his companions to ~wft him to the top of the garden walt, and from there he jumped into the garden. Some other Muslims did likewise. Thus, hazarding their lives, this group of Muslims rushed to the gate and opened it. With the opening of the gate. the Muslim army rushed into the garden, and let loose a reign of staugheer on the Banu Haneefah. The Banu Haneefah fought desperately for sheer survival; but theirs was a. crushing defeat. All, advantages now lay with the Mus.:lims. The men of Banu Haneefah were cut to pieces in large numbers, and the garden was virtually drenched with blood. So bloody was the battle of the garden that in the Arab annals it came to be known 3.S the "Battle of the Garden of Death. H

In the "Garden of Death" Wahshi, the Negro slave who had fought on the side of the Qurays,h against the Muslima at [he battle of Uhud, and had killed Hamzah, the uncleof the Prophet

peace. and blessings be upon him, threw in a javelin at Musaylamah, while at [he same lime Abu Dujaanah rushed forward and fell on. Musayla.mah"vith his sword" until he fell dead, and his severed head was hoisted for all W see. Thereupon the Banu Haneefah formally surrendered.

With such surrender the vaUey of Yamaamah which had so long defied Islam ]ay prostrate at the feet of the Muslims.

The Treaty of Yamaamah:

The battfe of Yamaamah was the bloodiest battle so far

fought by the Muslims. It was a decisive battle that established the supremacy of Islam in Central Arabia. It proved to he a great trial of strength, and though [he Muslims won the victory, [his W~}S achieved at a heavy cost, The casualties of Banu Haneefah were staggering. As many as 7.000 followers of Musaylamah died 'in [he battle of ' Aqraba. and equal number fell in the Garden of Death. Twelve hundred Muslims met their martyrdom in this action. and although the number was very much less than the number or the dead of Banu Haneefah, the Joss was nevertheless colossal. Almost every family in Makkah and Madeenah suffered the loss of some dear one, Most of the Muslims who hila memorized the Qur'an died in this battle, and their loss was most acute, Among the martyrs were Abu Hudhayr~-lh, Zayd fbn Al-Khauaab, Abu Dujaanah, Yazeed Ibn Aws.Yazeed Ibn Thabit, and many other distinguished persons from among the AIl~(l(lrs and the Nlulwjreen.

A 1] the im per taut leaders of the Banu Haneefah were killed, and there was no leader IlO negotiate terms of surrender .. Maiaa' all 'who had won the confidence ofKhalid by saving his wife, Layla, undertook je make negotiations wi~h the Banu Haneefah .. M.aja' ah was released on parole, and he went to

- .

negotiate terms with the Banu Haneefah. He returned to say that

the major portion of the army was still in the fort of Yamaamah, and that they were poised for another action Khalid decided that he would himself go to the city "[0 assess the situation; Majaa ~ ah sent a secretmessage to the Banu Haneefah that all women. old men, aml children should mount the battlements and display their arms, When Khalid went to the city he saw that the hattlernents 'were crowded. That set Khalld thinking. After the disastrous war of "Aqrabah, the Muslim forces thouah victorious, were roo exhausted to risk another

'-'

action, Khal id wen; under the circumstances keen to' avoid

another war; Mujaa' ah played upon the feelings of Khalil! and

84