C H A L L E N G E S FA C E D D U R I N G T H E C A L I P H AT E O F

ABU BAKR RA

Abu Bakr is the first Rashidun Caliphate. The duration of his caliphate
was two years and four months. The death of Holy Prophet had led to
countless revolts. Abu Bakr using his wisdom spent most of his time as
caliph attempting to crush and defeat these revolts. No other caliph had
to face as many challenges as Abu Bakr. The revolts emerged as the
news of the demise of the Holy Prophet began to spread.

When Prophet Mohammad came to this world, he eliminated infidelity and

unfaithfulness. This had concealed all the plots and tricks of infidels.
Therefore, when Prophet Mohammad passed away the plots of these
infidels came to the surface. It was then upon Abu Bakr to exterminate
these infidelities and erase their existence from the root. Indeed, Abu Bakr
performed this duty very well.

Abu Qasim al-Baghawi, Abu Bakr al-Safi in their booklets and Ibn
Asakir narrates this from Aisha Bint Abu Bakr that when Prophet
Mohammad passed away many upheavals arose, and many tribes became
apostate.

Many wealthy Muslims refrained from paying zakat. This problem became
so crucial and momentous that even a reliable and trustworthy person like
Umar had to say, “O Abu Bakr these people must be handled politely, you
may want to approach them differently.”
DISCUSS FOUR CHALLENGES FACED BY KHALIFA
ABUBAKAR (R.A) DURING HIS REIGN. (8 MARKS)

Challenges faced by Khalifa AbuBakar (R.A) during his reign.

1. The rise of false prophets who challenged the authority of

the Khalifa in Madina e.g. Musailamah al-kadhab
2. The rise of wars of Apostacy (al-rida) against forces that had
risen against the authority of Khalifa AbuBakar. The Khalifa
organized Muslim armies to bring such forces under his
authority.
3. He faced the challenge of fulfilling the promise of the
Prophet Muhammad (P.b.u.h) in sending a Muslim army
against the Romans or Byzantine. Despite some opposition
from some Sahabas against such a move, Khalifa Abu Bakar
sent Usamah bin Zayd, though a young man , to lead an
army and there were experienced companions of the
Prophet.
4. The need to compile the Quran into a single volume created
tension among the,Muslims in Madina. The Khalifa after
considerable deliberation, accepted the idea and appointed
a committee led by Zaid bin Thabit to compile the Quran as
a way of preserving it.
5. Certain tribes had refused to pay Zakat, an event which
compelled the Khalifa to take stern action against them. The
Khalifa argued that Zakat is one of the pillars of Islam, and in
rejecting to pay it was tantamount to rejecting Islam.
6. He helped to restore the unity of the Ummah which had been
divided on the question of a successor to the Prophet. Both
the Ansar and the Muhajirun wanted the Khalifa to be
appointed from among their group.
7. He faced the challenge of nominating his successor by
assessing the available options and settled for the choice of
Umar al-khattab (R.A)