Men of Excellence : Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra)
After reciting Tashahhud, Ta‘awwuz and Surah al-Fatihah, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) said that he would continue highlighting the life of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra).
Rights of People of Other Faiths Under Muslim Rule
His Holiness (aba) said that Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) also tended to the rights of those known as Zimmi – those who had accepted Muslim rule and payed the Jizyah but maintained their own faith. These people were not expected to join the Muslims army nor were they expected to pay Zakat, however on account of their payment of Jizyah, they and their places of worship remained secure and protected. There were many people who accepted the Islamic rule in this way during the various conquests that took place in the time of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra).
The Compilation of the Holy Qur’an
His Holiness (aba) said that an extraordinary achievement during the era of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) was the compilation of the Holy Qur’an. The background of this taking place is linked to the Battle of Yamamah, in which 1,200 Muslims were martyred, many of whom were senior companions and those who had memorised the Qur’an. In light of this, Hazrat Umar (ra) was divinely inspired with the idea of compiling the Holy Qur’an in one place. Hence, Hazrat Umar (ra) suggested this idea to Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra). In fact, Hazrat Umar (ra) suggested this to Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) so many times, that he too was eventually convinced that this was the best course of action. Hence, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) instructed Hazrat Zaid (ra) to gather the various parts of the Holy Qur’an which had been written on branches and stones and which people had memorised.
His Holiness (aba) quoted Imam Baghawi and Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad (ra) who wrote that the Qur’an was gathered in its entirety, exactly as it had been revealed to the Holy Prophet (sa). Initially, the Holy Qur’an was not gathered in one place, rather different parts were written in different places. With the martyrdom of many senior Companions and those who had committed the Qur’an to memory, Hazrat Umar (ra) deemed it vital for the preservation of the Holy Qur’an to gather it, hence why he made the suggestion to Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra). Hence, the Holy Qur’an was gathered during the era of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) and it was he who brought it into a single book form for the first time. Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) had appointed Hazrat Zaid (ra) for this task, seeing as he was trustworthy and used to write the revelations received by the Holy Prophet (sa). The various parts of the Holy Qur’an were gathered, and they would be attested to by those who had learned the Holy Qur’an from the Holy Prophet (sa), been scribes for Qur’anic revelation and committed it to memory. Hence, in this way, it was ensured that the Holy Qur’an remained in its original form, as revealed to the Holy Prophet (sa).
Time of the Inscription of the Holy Qur’an & Dealing with Different Dialects
His Holiness (aba) said that Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad (ra) responded to the allegation that all of the Holy Qur’an had not been written during the lifetime of the Holy Prophet (sa). He stated that it certainly was written and this is known because it is found in traditions that whenever the Holy Prophet (sa) received a Qur’anic revelation, he would summon scribes and instruct them to write it down. However, it was not compiled into a single book form as we have today. It was thus written in its entirety during the life of the Holy Prophet (sa).
His Holiness (aba) said that the Holy Qur’an was compiled during the lifetime of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) and a single dialect of reciting the Holy Qur’an was enacted during the lifetime of Hazrat Uthman (ra). Dialects refers to the fact that Arabs from different localities had different ways of pronouncing certain words. As such, although the words were the same, the different pronunciation posed potential confusion to those with less knowledge. Hence, Hazrat Uthman (ra) instructed that copies should be made of the copy of the Holy Qur’an compiled during the time of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) and it should be distributed, so that there remained a single pronunciation of the Holy Qur’an, according to the dialect of Makkah. Some raise allegations that Hazrat Uthman (ra) created a new Qur’an, however this is entirely contrary to the truth, as he only instructed that it be recited in a single dialect, as opposed to it being recited according to the different dialects of different tribes.
His Holiness (aba) quoted the Promised Messiah (as) who said that the Holy Qur’an, down to every line and dot, is exactly as was brought down by the angels and has not changed. The Holy Prophet (sa) had made it his practice to ensure that each Qur’anic revelation was written down. He would also ensure that each verse was placed in the right order. It was according to this exact same order formed by the Holy Prophet (sa) that Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) compiled the Holy Qur’an.
His Holiness (aba) said that the first copy of the Holy Qur’an that was compiled remained with Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) until his passing. It was then in the possession of Hazrat Umar (ra), who entrusted it to Hazrat Hafsah (ra) with the instruction of not giving it to anyone else, except to copy it. Hence it remained with her and Hazrat Uthman (ra) borrowed it to have copies made, after which it was returned to Hazrat Hafsah (ra). After the demise of Hazrat Hafsah (ra), Marwan, the ruler of Madinah at the time, took the copy and it was destroyed. However, by this time, many copies had been made under the supervision of Hazrat Uthman (ra),
Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) – A Pioneer Muslim
His Holiness (aba) said that Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) was the first to do many things; he was the first to accept Islam, he was the first to build a mosque in front of his home in Makkah, he was the first to fight alongside the Holy Prophet (sa) agains the Quraish of Makkah, he was the first to buy and free those slaves who were enduring torture after having accepted Islam, he was the first to compile the Holy Qur’an into a single book form, he was the first to name the Qur’an Mushaf, he was the first Rightly Guided Caliph, he was the first Amir of Hajj appointed during the lifetime of the Holy Prophet (sa), he was the first to lead Muslims in prayer during the lifetime of the Holy Prophet (sa), he was the first to establish a treasury in Islam, he was the first Caliph in Islam for whom a stipend was established by the Muslims, he was the first Caliph to appoint his successor, he was the first Caliph whose father was alive at the time of accepting the oath of allegiance from others, he was the first to be given a title by the Holy Prophet (sa), he was the first to have Companionship in four generations of his family; his father, himself, his son and his grandson.
Appearance of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra)
His Holiness (aba) said with regards to Hazrat Abu Bakr’s (ra) appearance that according to Hazrat A’ishah (ra), he was fair-skinned, skinny, had sunken cheeks, his back was slightly bent and he had a high forehead. Avicenna records that according to Hazrat Anas (ra), Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) used to colour his hair with henna and Katam (black henna).
Piety & Humility of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra)
His Holiness (aba) said with regards to Hazrat Abu Bakr’s (ra) righteousness that there was once a dispute between Hazrat Rabi’ah (ra) and Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) over some land. During the dispute, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) spoke in a harsh tone, which he immediately regretted. Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) said that Hazrat Rabi’ah (ra) should also speak to him in a harsh manner as a form of justice, however he refused to do so. When the matter was taken to the Holy Prophet (sa), he instructed Hazrat Rabi’ah (ra) that rather than retorting harshly, he should simply pray for God to forgive Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra). This greatly moved Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) and he wept profusely.
His Holiness (aba) said that when Hazrat Abu Bakr’s (ra) demise drew near, he told Hazrat A’ishah (ra) that she was the dearest person to him. He said that he had gifted her a piece of land which she had never used or occupied. Hence, he requested that seeing as she had never used it, it should be distributed equally among his heirs as instructed by the Holy Qur’an.
His Holiness (aba) said that Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) used to have a business of selling clothes, which is how he used to provide for his family. Even after being bestowed the mantle of Caliphate, he was seen one day with clothes draped on his shoulder heading towards the market. Hazrat Umar (ra) asked what he was doing, to which Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) replied that he had to eat. Hazrat Umar (ra) said that it could not be that the Caliph was working as such and suggested that Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) take a stipend from the treasury. Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) said that he could not do so, however Hazrat Umar (ra) reminded him that the Holy Qur’an had deemed it permissible to spend from the treasury on those who serve the faith. Hence, a stipend was stipulated for Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra), however it was only enough to cover the basic necessities.
His Holiness (aba) said that once, the Holy Prophet (sa) heard people asking why it was that Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) had superiority over them, while they did the same things he did. The Holy Prophet (sa) went to them and said that Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) was not superior merely on account of his prayers or fasting, but because of the virtue in his heart, his love for the Holy Prophet (sa) and the fear in his heart for Allah the Almighty.
His Holiness (aba) said that the Holy Prophet (sa) that on the Day of Judgement, Allah the Almighty would not look towards those people who drag their clothes on the ground out of arrogance. Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) said that sometimes his clothes would fall loose on one side. The Holy Prophet (sa) assured him that he did not do this out of arrogance and that one’s intentions play a vital role.
His Holiness (aba) said that he would continue narrating these incidents in future sermons.
Summary prepared by The Review of Religions