Part 2

It is with great pleasure and pride that we present The Four Righteous Caliphs to our readers hoping that it will prove of some interest and use to them. Needless to say, compiling the life histories of the leading figures in Islamic history was by no means an easy job. Every care has been taken to include aspects of their characters and situations in their lives that are of particular significance to readers. We therefore invite every reader of the book to step outside the present realms of time and space and to prepare to encounter people, the likes of whom the world has no longer known since their demise. The book is indeed a trip into a world of absolute virtue, genuine unshaken faith as well as admirable fear of Allah. A reader can only marvel at those unique Muslims who deservedly merited Allah's satisfaction and handsome reward. We pray that readers will come to enjoy reading the book and also be able to benefit from it, leaving no chance for enemies of Islam to attempt to dig holes in our venerable Islamic history.

AC After Christ AH After Hijrah

Transliteration of Arabic Words and Names

The following table shows the system followed in transliterating the letters of the Arabic alphabet:

may Allah be pleased with him

"The most bountiful of men unto me in his companionship and sacrifice of his wealth is Abu Bakr. If l were to choose a bosom friend (Khaleel), I would choose Abu Bakr, but companionship and brotherhood in Islam will remain until Allah unites us in His Presence"

An Ideal Character in Jahiliyyah (the Pre-Islamic Period) Qur'anic Verses Revealed in Reference to Abu Bakr Hadiths on the Virtues of Abu Bakr Alone

Hadiths on the Virtues of Abu Bakr together with ~ Umar The Prophet 's Companions and Early Muslims Speak of Abu Bakr

Abu Bakr is Called As-Sideeq

Second of the Two

Abu Bakr: the Best of the Prophet's Companions

Abu Bakr: the Bravest Companion

Abu Bakr: the Most Generous Companion

Abu Bakr: the Most Knowledgeable and Intelligent Companion

Abu Bakr's Steadfastness upon the Death of the Prophet Abu Bakr's Scrupulous Conscience

Abu Bakr's Utter Fear of Allah

Abu Bakr Never Reveals the Prophet's Secrets

Abu Bakr's Tender Heart

Abu Bakr's Interpretation of Dreams

Verses, Hadiths and Scholars Saying Referring to Abu Bak's Caliphate

Abu Bakr Elected Caliph

Abu Bakr Sends out Usamah's Punitive Expedition

Fighting the Zakaah Withholders

The Battle of Dhul Qissah

Campaigns against the Apostates

Sajaah, the False Prophetess

The Battle of ~ Aqraba

The Battle of the Garden

The Treaty of Yamaamah

The Apostates of Bahrain

Campaigns in Oman and Mahrah

The Battle of Daba

The Conquests in the Lifetime of As-Sideeq

The Motives behind Muslim Conquests Aims of Muslim conquests

The Conquest of Iraq

The Battle of Chains

The Battle of Madhaar

The Battle of Walajahh

The Battle of Ulays

The Conquest of Al-Heerah

The Conquest of Al-Anbaar

The Conquest of ~ Ayn At-Tamr

The Conquest of Doomat Al-Jandal The Battle of Firaad

The Conquest of Ash-Shaam

The Battle of Yarmook

Invaluable Sermons of As-Sideeq Some of His Wise Sayings

Abu Bakr's Pioneering Works

Abu Bakr: the First to Collect the Quran Hadiths Reported by Abu Bakr

Abu Bakr's Last Illness

Abu Bakr Nominates “Umar as Caliph Abu Bakr's Advice to the New Caliph When It Was Time to Meet His End

Born in Makkah (Mecca) in 573 AC, Abu Bakr AsSiddeeq, may Allah be pleased with him, was two years younger than Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. He belonged to a respectable and noble family, Banu Tameem, a branch of the tribe of Quraysh. He shares the same lineage with Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, in Banu Murrah.

Abu Bakr was not his real name; his name was *Abdullaah. His father's name was * Uthmaan Ibn * Aamir, who was known by his patronymic name, Abu Quhafah. In his Tahdheeb, Al-Nawawi _ states: His name was * Abdullaah. This view is believed to be the most correct. It is said that Abu Bakr was known by the name ~ Ateeq (the freed person); however, the majority of scholars agree that ~ Ateeq was his surname.

The Mother of the Believers, *Aa'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, reports that she was in the Prophet's house while his Companions were sitting in the courtyard, with a barricr between them and her, When Abu Bakr came, the Prophet said: "Whoever is pleased to look at a man who has been freed of the Hell-Fire (*Ateeq), let him look at this man (pointing at Abu Bakr)."(Reported by Al-Tirmidhi.) In another version, *Aa'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, reports that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said to Abu Bakr: "Be of good cheer, yon are ~Ateeq (freed) of the HellFire. ~Aa'ishah added, Ever since that day he has been called “Ateeq. " (Reported by Al-Tirmidhi.)

An Ideal Character in Jahiliyyah (the Pre-Islamic Period):

Since his boyhood, Abu Bakr was quiet and sincere. He was very honest and truthful. He was a softhearted man and keenly felt others’ sufferings and miseries. He used to help the poor, the needy, the distressed and the downtrodden.

Before he embraced Islam, he was a fairly wealthy merchant, a respected character of amiable and compassionate demeanor. Because of his honesty, people trusted him and often left their money with him for safekeeping. His nobility and truthfulness soon made him a rich trader.

Ibn Ishaaq narrates: Abu Bakr was a man whom society desired, well liked and of easy manners. He knew more about the genealogy of Quraysh than anyone else, and knew their faults and merits. He was a merchant of high character and kindness. The people of Quraysh used to visit him to discuss many matters with him, because of his vast knowledge, experience in commerce, and his sociable nature.

Even before embracing Islam, he abhorred most of the customs and traditions of Jahiliyyah (the pre-Islamic period). He never drank alcohol, nor did he join in the worship of idols, practiced by his contemporaries. Because of his sterling character, he was the closest friend of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, since his youth, and their companionship proved to be life-long. He also accompanied the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, in some of his trade -missions. Actually, these qualities were soon to serve the noblest Cause of Allah.

* Aa‘ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, is reported to have said: "By Allah, Abu Bakr never composed poetry neither before nor afier embracing Islam. He, together with “Uthmaan, refrained from drinking alcohol in Jahiliyyah." (Reported by Ibn * Asaakir with a good chain of narrators.)

On the authority of Abu Al-* Aaliyah Ar-Rayhaani who narrates: While people were sitting in the company of some Companions of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, Abu Bakr was asked, "Did you drink alcohol in Jahiliyyah? He replied, “Allah forbid!" When he was asked why he did not do so he answered: "I was keen on preserving my sense of honor and decorous character, while the one who drinks alcohol does not show concern for preserving his honor or character. The

narrator added, "When the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was informed of what he (Abu Bakr) said, he remarked, “Abu Bakr has spoken the truth, Abu Bakr has spoken the truth."(Reported by Ibn * Asaakir with a strange chain of narrators.)

Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleaded with him, said in the presence of some Companions: "I never prostrated myself before an idol. That is because when I reached the age of puberty, my father, Abu Quhafah, took me by the hand and went to a chamber in which were some idols, and said to me, ‘These are your mighty and supreme deities.’ He then left me and went away. I approached one idol and began to entreat, ‘I'm hungry, so feed me', but it did not respond. I prayed again, 'I'm naked, so clothe me,’ yet it did not reply. Sol hurled it with some rock and it fell down".

Thus Abu Bakr was an ideal character even before accepting Islam. It is no wonder, therefore, that he is regarded as the best man after the Prophet, as the latter is reported to have said: "Those who were the best amongst you in Jahiliyyah, are the best after embracing Islam, provided they comprehend religions knowledge." (Reported by Al-Bukhari.)

Qur'anic Verses Revealed in Reference to Abu Bakr:

Glory belongs only to Almighty Allah; however, He grants virtue, merit and dignity to whomsoever He pleases. When Allah accords anyone with noble status, no mortal being can disgrace or degrade him without himself being humiliated. The status of Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, was so elevated that a host of Qur'anic verses make reference to him, thus confirming his virtues and merits. Here are some examples:

Allah, Exalted be He, says:

(£9 ssly ".,,they two were in the Cave , and he said to his companion, have no fear, for Allah is with us: then Allah sent down his peace upon him." (At-Tawbah: 40) Muslim scholars have

unanimously agreed that the “companion" referred to in this verse, is Abu Bakr As-Sideeq, may Allah be pleased with him.

Ibn * Abbaas is reported to have explained the verse, "then Allah sent down his peace upon him" (At-Tawbah: 40) saying: “upon him" means upon Abu Bakr, as serenity was

already inherent in the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. (Reported by Ibn Abi Haatim.)

Ibn Mas‘ ood reports that Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, purchased Bilaal (who was a slave to)

Umayyah Ibn Khalaf and Ubayy Ibn Khalaf, and set him free for Allah's Sake. Then Allah Almighty revealed the verses:

CY gel "gi 834 Joby" "By the Night as if conceals the light "

"Verily, (he ends) ye strive for are diverse." (Al-Layl: 1-4) ie. the ends of Abu Bakr, Umayyah and Ubayy (are diverse). (Reported by [bn Abi Haatim.) ~

*Aamir Ibn ~Abdellaah Ibn Az-Zubayr narrates: Abu Bakr used to free slaves and make them accept Islam in Makkah. He set free elderly men and women upon their acceptance of Islam. His father (Abu Quhafah) said to him: "My. son, I see that you are freeing weak slaves. If you want to continue doing what you do, why don't you free powerful men who could defend and protect you?" Abu Bakr said, "My effort in this regard is solely for the Sake of Allah." It is said that these verses were revealed in reference to him (Abu Bakr):

(2: hobby "diy si oe Gir

"So he who gives (in Charity) and fears (Allah)" (Al-Layl: 5) (Reported by Ibn Jareer.)