Alhamdulillah we covered the biography and virtues of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddique last year. This time I wanna focus on the qualities of Abu Bakr and what makes him Afzal bashar bada’ anbiya. And subhanAllah, the secret is love. I wanna share a little on his relationship with the Prophet SAW. 

Abu Bakr was the Prophet’s best friend his entire life. Well before Prophethood, they were very close. And you know how often you befriend the person who is most like you, this was the same here. They both had the best of manners, ideals, never wasted time, neither even worshipped an idol, nor drank. 

So it’s no wonder, when the Prophet revealed his Messenger-ship and the call to Allah. Abu Bakr, without any hesitation at all, says I believe you. I know who you are. You don’t need to split the moon, or crush a mountain, or turn it to gold. I know you are the most trustworthy one. I know you carry the light of prophecy in your forehead. 

And he didn’t just stop there. He made it his mission to support and protect the Prophet SAW. One day whilst the Prophet was out in front of the Kaabah, Abu Bakr was preaching. The Kufaar came and gave him a beating. So much so, he was left in a coma.  A few days later, when he wakes up. The first thing he said is, where is the Prophet. Is he ok. Is he safe. Take me to him. SubhanAllah the only one he could think of was the Rasool.

During the Hijra, whilst the two companions were journeying north, in the desert, he would at times stand in front, then to his right, then to his left, then behind him. The Prophet said what are you doing? He said, Ill think about an enemy, coming from here then I think what if he comes from the other side. Everything is about protecting the Rasool. 

Then whilst in the cave, when they are going to rest for the night. They close up any holes with cloth they have. But one hole is left uncovered. So Abu Bakr blocks it with his foot. This is to prevent snakes and scorpions. Now whilst the Prophet rests on his lap, a scorpion or snake stings his foot. As the Prophet is asleep, he doesn’t wanna disturb him, so instead he holds him self together, but as the pain is so much, he sheds a tear, which falls upon the blessed face of the Prophet. 

And I’m sure we’ve heard of the story of the cave, but it’s here where Allah honours Abu bakr, in Surah Tawbah, Allah says, “..when they were in the cave and he said to his companion, “Do not grieve; indeed Allah is with us.” And Allah sent down his tranquillity upon him and supported him with angels you did not see.’

And when they got to Madina, and subhanAllah, this is a testament to their companionship and the love Abu Bakr had for the master Muhammad. They say, when they got close to Madina and the people witnessed them, they didn’t know who the Prophet was and who Abu Bakr was, both looked very similar in appearance, in grace and demeanour. And it’s only when Abu bakr realised this, he took a branch and shaded the Messenger. Then the people understood who the master was, who the teacher was, who the murshid was. And from this the Sufis commentate the biggest Murshid or Pir was Rasoolullah, and the biggest Mureed or Saalik was Abu Bakr. Look at the dynamic of teacher and student. Look at his dedication to the Prophet. And from this they also commentate, that when a mureed love his murshid, and follows his ways, and serves him, then they too start to embody their Shaikh in physical appearance. Look at our Shaykh, they knocked on the door of their Shaykh, their Shaykh thought they were looking in the mirror, it wasn’t just the libaas and uniform, but the actual face changes. 

Now whilst living in Madina Sharif, we know of countless examples of the service of Abu Bakr. For example, the time when he gave everything in the way of Islam. Literally, he was wearing a sack. And the Prophet said, today the angels are wearing the clothing of Abu Bakr. In his honor. This man has surpassed all. 

When Makkah was conquered by the Muslims. Abu Bakr’s father was one of those to accept Islam. He was 90 years old, frail, couldn’t even walk. So they carried him in blankets to the Prophet. The Prophet said, Why did you bring him here, I would have gone to him. In his Prophetic mercy. But Abu Bakr said, O Prophet, it’s more befitting that he comes to you. subhanAllah bare in mind this is his owner father who can’t even walk. 

Now when his father accepts Islam at the hands of the Prophet then Abu Bakr begins to cry. And you would think this is a happy moment for him, his father has finally accepted Islam and will go to Jannah. But he says, the reason why I am cry, is that if your uncle Abu Talib was still alive and his hands were in your hands today and he was accepting Islam then I would prefer that over my own father. And that is because I know how happy you would have been if your uncle was alive today and he would have seen the success of the Muslims and what You have been through. 

Subhan Allah, this man lived love the Prophet more than your family, your parents, yourself.

When Abu Bakr had a son, it was time to name him. So what do you think he named him. It’s the most popular name now. Yes no other name would be possible it was the name of the prophet.

Abu Saeed al Khudri he reports, once we were in a gathering with the Prophet and all the companions were there from Umer, Ali, Jaabir, Salman, all of them. The Prophet was giving a sermon, he said, ‘Allah gives a choice to one of his slaves between everything in this dunya and that which is with Allah.’ So either have the dunya or return to Allah. And upon hearing this, Abu Bakr starts to weep and he weeps profusely. 

The people are just observing. Abu Saeed says we were all confused. Why is he crying so much at a generic statement. And he continues to cry so much that the whole gathering start to cry. So then he collects himself. And the Prophet continue, they say, ‘the person who has done more for me than any other person, not just with his wealth, but with his time, his sacrifice, his friendship. And If I was to take an exclusive friend other than Allah, it would be Abu Bakr.

So then Abu Saeed continues, he says, it’s only later we realised that when the Prophet was giving the Khutba and said the statement, he was talking about himself, he had been given a choice to continue in the Dunya or go back to his Lord. And only Abu Bakr understood the message on that day.

When the Prophet were too sick, i.e final days. He told the companions to tell Abu Bakr to lead. Now Abu Bakr had a low voice and he was very emotional in his recitation, so he felt, Umar should step forward, he has a loud commanding voice. 

Now we all know the Prophet lived right next to the mosque. He hears the voice of Umar. He sits up and says where is Abu Bakr, where is Abu Bakr. Allah and his Messenger refuse anyone except for Abu Bakr. So the Prophet insists. Abu Bakr leads 17 prayers. And this is one of the indications why Abu bakr was chosen by the Prophet to lead the Muslims after him. 

Finally moving on to his death, when death was upon him, he asked Aisha, how old was Prophet when he died she said 63, he said I am 63 too. And he smiled. How many cloths did the Prophet use for the burial, she said 3 so he said I will use 3 too. I have two already, here is some money, buy me the third cloth. She said why don’t we just buy 3 new sheets instead. But he said what use are these new sheets to a dead person. What’s important is that my satr is covered

This sounds like a common interaction, but once again you can see how this man thinking about the Akhira not about materialism. So then he said, what day did he die. She said Monday. He smiled today is Monday. He said al yawm. Then later in the day he starts to shiver, and he says tawaffini musliman, wa hikni bi saliheen – Let me to die as a Muslim, and be with the righteous. 

Though these examples we get some indication of his service o Islam, but even then his dua is Let me die as a Muslim. He didn’t say ive made it, or I deserve this, or cant wait for Jannah. But till that soul isn’t removed, ones imaan isn’t secure.