Men of Excellence : Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra)
After reciting Tashahhud, Ta‘awwuz and Surah al-Fatihah, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad(aba) continued highlighting incidents from the life of Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra).
Hazrat Abu Bakr’s(ra) Acceptance of Islam
His Holiness(aba) said that he was previously mentioning the incidents surrounding Hazrat Abu Bakr’s(ra) acceptance of Islam. It is recorded that once, before the advent of the Holy Prophet(sa), Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra) travelled to Yemen, where he met an elderly scholar. This scholar was accurately able to determine Hazrat Abu Bakr’s(ra) background and family history. The scholar then informed him that a prophet would manifest, and he would be assisted by someone young and someone older. One of the signs of the elder person who would help that prophet was that he would have a mark on his stomach, and when Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra) lifted his garment, the elderly scholar saw a black mark on his stomach. He said, surely he was the elder person who would assist the coming prophet. He then advised him never to abandon the truth. It was after this that Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra) learned about the claim of the Holy Prophet(sa), and people came to him seeking his opinion. Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra) then went to meet the Holy Prophet(sa) and ask him about his claim and what proof he had. The Holy Prophet(sa) informed him that he knew of the elderly man he had met in Yemen. When Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra) asked how he knew about this, the Holy Prophet(sa) said he was informed by the same angel who descended upon prophets.
His Holiness(aba) said that in another narration, it is recorded that when Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra) went to the Holy Prophet(sa) and heard his claim, Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra) said that he had never seen the Holy Prophet(sa) tell a lie, he honoured trusts and he was kind to his family. Thereafter, he asked the Holy Prophet(sa) to extend his hand so that he may pledge allegiance to him.
His Holiness(aba) said that in another narration it is recorded that Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra) asked the Holy Prophet(sa) if he claimed that angels descended upon him. In response, the Holy Prophet(sa) began presenting explanations to describe what he had experienced, in order to dispel any doubts. Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra) requested not to be given an explanation, instead he wanted a simple answer as to whether the Holy Prophet(sa) claimed that angels descended upon him. The Holy Prophet(sa) replied in the affirmative, upon which Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra) accepted him. Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra) said that he did not want an explanation, for he wished to accept based upon what he witnessed, not upon some evidence.
His Holiness(aba) quoted the Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad(ra), who writes that Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra) accepted the Holy Prophet(sa) based upon a single premise; this was the fact that he had known the Holy Prophet(sa) since his childhood, and he never lied, was never mischievous, nor did ever utter anything foul. Thus, Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra) knew that he would never lie. Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra) said that if the Holy Prophet(sa) had never lied about people, then why would he lie about God? This, in fact, is proof of the Holy Prophet’s (sa) truthfulness given to him by God, Who instructed the Holy Prophet(sa) to say:
“I have indeed lived among you a whole lifetime before this. Will you not then understand?” (10:17)
Adopting the Qualities of Siddiq
His Holiness(aba) quoted the Promised Messiah(as) who said that the Holy Prophet(sa) called Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra) Siddiq because of what he possessed in his heart. Thus, if anyone, in any era, wishes to become Siddiq, then they must adopt the qualities of Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra). An example of these qualities is that upon hearing of the Holy Prophet’s (sa) claim to prophethood, he said that if this is his claim, then he must be true. It was not necessary for him to see any sort of miracle, for he knew the qualities of the Holy Prophet(sa), and simply based on this he knew that whatever he says must be true. Then, upon meeting the Holy Prophet(sa) and inquiring about his claim, he said that he was the first to attest to him.
The First Male to Accept the Holy Prophet(sa)
His Holiness(aba) said there are varying opinions among historians as to who was the first male to accept the Holy Prophet(sa); Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra), Hazrat Ali(ra), or Hazrat Zaid bin Harithah(ra). It is said that the first male adult to accept the Holy Prophet(sa) was Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra), the first child was Hazrat Ali(ra), and the first freed slave to accept was Hazrat Zaid bin Haritha(ra). His Holiness(aba) quoted Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad(ra) who said that the simple solution to this discussion is the fact that both Hazrat Ali(ra) and Hazrat Zaid bin Harithah(ra) were members of the Holy Prophet’s (sa) household and lived with him like his own children, and as such would have automatically accepted whatever the Holy Prophet(sa) said. Therefore, Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra) was the first to accept the Holy Prophet(sa) on his own.
Propagation of Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra)
His Holiness(aba) said that there were many who accepted Islam through the propagation of Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra), such as Hazrat Uthman(ra), Hazrat Zubair bin al-Awwam(ra), Hazrat Abdur Rahman bin Auf(ra), Hazrat Sa’d bin Abi Waqas and Hazrat Talha bin Ubaidullah(ra). These were companions who would go on to be among the ten companions given the glad tidings of Paradise.
Defending the Holy Prophet(sa)
His Holiness(aba) said that along with the Holy Prophet(sa), Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra) was also made to face great hardships on account of his acceptance of Islam. It is recorded that once while the Holy Prophet(sa) was praying by the Holy Ka’bah, a disbeliever came and started choking him. When Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra) saw this, he rushed forward and pushed the disbeliever away from the Holy Prophet(sa). Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra) asked him, would he kill someone simply for saying that his Lord is Allah? On another occasion, when the disbelievers had surrounded the Holy Prophet(sa), Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra) asked them the same question; would they kill someone simply for saying that his Lord is Allah? Upon this, the disbelievers turned their attention towards Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra) and attacked him.
His Holiness(aba) said that once, Hazrat Ali(ra) asked the people who the bravest person was. The people replied that it was Hazrat Ali(ra). Hazrat Ali(ra) said that in fact, the bravest person was Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra), for he stayed with the Holy Prophet(sa) on the day of the Battle of Badr, and no disbeliever dared to go near the Holy Prophet(sa), for they would have had to go through Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra) first.
Freeing of Slaves
His Holiness(aba) said that when Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra) accepted Islam, he had 40,000 dirhams, which he used to free seven slaves. This included Hazrat Bilal(ra), who was being tortured after having accepted Islam. Upon seeing this, Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra) bought Hazrat Bilal’s(ra) freedom.
His Holiness(aba) said that he would continue highlighting incidents from the life of Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra) in future sermons.
Summary prepared by The Review of Religions