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Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq (RA)

The best man ever to walk this earth after the Prophets and the Messengers of Allah. The first man to accept Islaam. The one who testified to the truth of Muhammad SAW when the people belied him... The one who was mentioned by his Lord in His revelation al-Qur`aan, as the "Second of the two"... The one whose deeds are heavier than the deeds of entire Ummah put together... The one who will be called from all doors of Paradise, and indeed the FIRST member of this Ummah to enter it... Who else but as-Siddiq... The best of the first three favored generations after Prophet Muhammad SAW, and the first rightful, righteous successor of the Prophet (SAWS).  [passage from www.abuzubair.com]

His Character

      Abu Bakr (RA) was the first man to embrace Islam {Khadijah [RA] was the first women , Ali [RA] was the first youth, and Zayd [RA] was the first slave]. He was given the name  as-Siddiq by the Prophet (SAAS), which means "Witness to the Truth", because he steadfastly adhered to the truth. Many people embraced Islam through this man [i.e Uthman, Talha, az-Zubayr, Abu 'Ubayda ibn al-Jarrah, Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas, and 'Abdu'r-Rahman ibn 'Awf.]. He started his life as a businessman and was known for his generosity. He had great wealth which he spent for the sake of Islam; he liberated Muslim slaves tortured by Quraysh amongst whom he was a respected chief at the the time of ignorance [Jahillayya].

Some References of Abu Bakr in the Holy Qu'ran

  "The second of the two when they were in the Cave, when he said unto his Companion, 'Be not grieved, for Allah is with us.' And Allah sent down His peace and tranquility upon him"

  "Far removed from it [hell-fire] shall be the pious, who gives his wealth that he may grow , and none has with him any favor for reward, exce3pt as seeking [to fulfill] the purpose of his Lord Most High. He verily will be content."

Surat at-Tahrim [66:3]

 

 His Election

*He was elected Khalif by the approval of Prophet Muhammad (SAAS) in the following ways:

#1. Anas bin Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, reported:
"Abu Bakr led them in the Prayer due to the illness of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) of which he died. It was a Monday and they stood in rows for the Prayer. Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) drew aside the curtain of ('A'ishah's) apartment and looked at us while he was standing, and his (the Prophet's) face was (as bright) as the paper of the Holy Qur'an. Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) felt happy and smiled. And we were confounded with joy while in the Prayer due to the arrival (among our midst) of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him), Abu Bakr stepped back upon his heels to say the Prayer in a row perceiving that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) had come out for the Prayer. Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) with the help of his hand signed to them to complete their Prayer. Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) went back (to his apartment) and drew the curtain. He (the narrator) said: Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) breathed his last on that very day. [Sahih Muslim 636]

#2. In the absence of Abu Bark, "Umar tried to lead the prayer but the Prophet exclaimed, "Allah and the Muslims refuse that." They had to wait for Abu Bakr to return from his home at Sunh to lead prayer.

#3. Shortly before the Prophet passed away, a woman went to see him, he told her to come at some other time. the woman said "What if I do not see you?". The Prophet (SAAS) replied "If you do not find me, see Abu Bakr"

#4. Abu Bakr was the first man to be delegated by the prophet to be "Amir al-Hajj", leader [prince] fo the pilgrims.

#5. Abu Musa, may Allah be pleased with him, reported:
"When Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) became ill, and illness became serious, he said: order Abu Bakr to lead the people in the Prayer. Upon this, 'A'ishah said: Messenger of Allah, Abu Bakr is a man of tender feelings: when he would stand in your place (he would be so much overwhelmed by grief that) he would not be able to lead the people in the Prayer. He (the Holy Prophet) said: You order Abu Bakr to lead the people in the Prayer, and added: You are like the female companions of Joseph. So Abu Bakr led the Prayer (during this period of illness) in the life of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him). " [Sahih Muslim]

#6 Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari, may Allah be pleased with him, reported:
"While Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) was in one of the gardens of Medina, reclining against a pillow and fixing a stick in the mud, that a person came asking for the gate to be opened, whereupon he said: Open it for him and give him glad tidings of Paradise and, it was Abu Bakr. I opened (the gate) for him and gave him the glad tidings of Paradise. Then another person asked for the door to be opened, whereupon he said: Open it and give him the glad tidings of Paradise. He said: I went away and, lo, it was 'Umar. I opened it for him and gave him the glad tidings of Paradise. Then still another man asked for the door to be opened, and thereupon Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: Open it and give him the glad tidings of Paradise after a trial would afflict him. I went and, lo, it was 'Uthman bin 'Affan. I opened the door and gave him the glad tidings of Paradise and informed him (what the Holy Prophet had said). Thereupon he said: O Allah, grant me steadfastness. Allah is one Whose help is to be sought." [Sahih Muslim 4416]

#7. Abdullah bin 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with them, reported:
"Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: I saw (in a dream) as if I was drawing water with a leather bucket on a wooden pulley. There came Abu Bakr and he drew out a bucketful or two and as he drew out, some weakness (was perceived in it) (may Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, forgive him). Then 'Umar came in order to serve water and the bucket was changed into a large leather bucket and I did not see such a wonderful man among persons (drawing water) and he went on serving water to the people until they were fully satisfied and then went to their resting places." [Sahih Muslim]

He was elected in 11 AH/632 AD for a short reign which lasted for two years.