Among all the people, he was called
"Al-Atiq," the most pious, delivered from the punishments of the
fire.
Besides, there are many Hadiths in praise of Hazrat Abu Bakr (R). The Prophet
(PBUH) said: "Had I made anyone my friend except Allah, I would have
chosen Abu Bakr (R).
"What ever Allah poured into my heart, I poured into the heart of Abu
Bakr."
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: "Whenever I offered Islam to anyone, he
always showed some reluctance and hesitation and tried to enter into an argument.
Abu Bakr (R) was the only person who accepted Islam without any doubt or hesitation,
and without any argument."
"Allah will show His glory to the people in a general way, but He will
show it to Hazrat Abu Bakr (R) in a special way."
"Never was anything revealed to me that I did not pour into the heart
of Abu Bakr."
"There is no one to whom I am obligated and have not repaid my debt except
Abu Bakr, for I owe him much for which Allah will compensate him on the Day
of Judgment."
"Hazrat Abu Bakr (R) does not precede you because of much prayer or fasting,
but because of a secret that is in his heart."
Bukhari narrates from Ibn Umar, who said: "In the time of the Prophet
(PBUH) we were not recognising anyone higher than Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (R),
then Umar(R), then Usman(R)."
He freed seven slaves before leaving Mecca. He not only spent large amounts
to buy them freedom but he then took them into his own household and educated
them.
In early Islam interpretation of dreams was considered a spiritual exercise.
Only those with pure hearts and spiritual vision could have meaningful dreams;
and only those with pure hearts and spiritual vision could interpret them.
Hazrat Abu Bakr (R) was an acknowledged interpreter of dreams. Even the Prophet
(PBUH) also consulted him in search for clarity of his prophetic dreams.
Although, a quiet and gentle man he was also first on the battlefield. He
only fought for the Islam. Once his son Abdul Rehman (R), who had fought for
infidels against Muslims before embracing Islam, said that during wars he
had three chances to kill Hazrat Abu Bakr (R) but he let go the chances in
respect for the father. But Hazrat Abu Bakr (R) replied: "My son, had
I had a single chance to kill you, by Allah, I would not have hesitated for
a single moment."
Hazrat Abu Bakr (R) always remained side by side the Prophet (PBUH) whether
in Mecca, or in on the way to Madina or in Madina. He was with the Prophet
in the cave of Sor, he was with him in the Battle of Badr. Even today both
are laid to rest side by side under the same roof of the holy shrine of the
Prophet (PBUH).
The Prophet (PBUH) had many a times made Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (R) his deputy.
He was his only companion, who led the prayers when the Prophet (PBUH) was
sick. He was made leader of the Muslims, during the first ever Hajj in Mecca
after Islam dominated infidelity. Therefore, after the demise of the Prophet,
all the Muslims elected him as the first and able-most successor to the Prophet.
When he assumed the succession to the seat of the Prophet (PBUH), he made
clear to every one: "Follow me until I lead you on the path of Allah."
He said: "Help me, if I be the right; set me right, if I be the wrong.
The weak among you shall be strong to me until his rights have been vindicated.
The strong among you shall be weak with me until, if God wills, I have taken
what is due to him. Obey me as long as I obey Allah and His Prophet; when
I disobey Him and his Prophet, obey me not."
When, there arose the matter of non-payment of Zakat by some distracters,
many of the companions suggested that it was befitting to tackle the mater
unhurriedly. But he (R) said: "I have not ascended to first in altering
the orders, of Allah" He then initiated Jihad against the defaulters
of Zakat. He also took firm stance on sending mission to Syria under the command
of Hazrat Usama Bin Zaid (R), whereby all other companions of the Prophet
(PBUH) were of the view that some senior general be deputed in place of teenaged
Usama (R). Hazrat Ussama (R) was nominated to lead the army by Prophet (PBUH)
himself.
During his caliphate, he instituted public treasury (Bayt-ul-mal) to take
care of the poor. He was the first to compile holy Qura'n and called it 'Mus-haf'.
Hazrat Abu Bakr (R) passed away on Monday, (as did the Prophet himself) between
Maghrib and Isha on Jumadi-al-Sani 22, 13 AH, or August 25, 634 AD.
Before, his departure to the Afterworld, he told his daughter Syeda Ayesha
Siddiqa (R) that he be shrouded in his used clothes as was the Prophet (PBUH)
and some new pieces be added to his shroud. When his funeral became ready
for the burial, he be taken to the shrine of the Prophet (PBUH) and permission
for entering the Shrine of the Prophet (PBUH) be sought. If the door of the
shrine opens of its own, he may be buried there.
When the mourners took his funeral at the door of the shrine of the Prophet
(PBUH) they said: "O prophet of Allah! your companion Abu Bakr seeks
permission to enter," and the door of the shrine of the Prophet (PBUH)
opened without touching by anybody. Then Hazrat Abu Bakr (R) was laid to rest
besides his beloved, the Prophet (PBUH).
Hazrat Abu Bakr (R) initiated the recitation of La Ilaha Illallah in a circle
of his friends in his house. The practice later adopted by all saints and
has become the cornerstone of Sufism. It was his way and his favours, he imparted
upon his companions in that circle of recitation, which continued in the Naqshbandia
order till today.
Hazrat Abu Bakr (R) was the first in many aspects. He was the first male Muslim.
He was the first successor of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He was the first
ruler who called himself a Khalifat-ur-Rasool (Caliph of the Prophet (PBUH)).
He was the first ruler whose honorarium was fixed by the subject. He was the
first who ruled in the life of his father. And also the one who voluntarily
not nominated his son to the throne rather handed over the throne to the able
person out of his blood relation.
The Noor passed on in the heart of Hazrat Abu Bakr (R) by the Prophet (PBUH)
was then placed in the heart of his successor, Salman Farsi (R).
