Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA) (born October 27, 573 CE – died August 23, 634 CE) was one of the closest companions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the first Caliph of Islam, and one of the earliest people to embrace Islam. He is regarded as the first adult male to accept Islam. He was also the father-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). After the death of the Prophet, Abu Bakr became the Caliph and led the Muslim community.
Because of his unparalleled faith and trust in the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), he was given the title “Siddiq,” meaning truthful or trustworthy. When he heard about the event of the Mi'raj from someone, he accepted it without hesitation. For this reason, he became widely known as Abu Bakr Siddiq.
In his youth, Abu Bakr (RA) began his livelihood as a merchant. He traveled to neighboring regions such as Syria and Yemen for business. Through his commercial activities, he became wealthy and gained considerable experience. He also became a respected leader of his tribe. After returning from a trading journey to Yemen, he learned about the Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) call to Islam and accepted the faith. His conversion inspired many other people to embrace Islam.
His relationship with the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) became even closer when the Prophet married Abu Bakr's daughter, Aisha (RA).
His Service to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
Abu Bakr (RA) supported the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as a devoted companion. During the Prophet's lifetime, Abu Bakr participated in several military campaigns. During the Battle of Tabuk, he donated all his wealth for the cause of Islam. He also participated in the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah and was one of the witnesses to the agreement.
Abu Bakr's caliphate lasted a little more than two years. He later became ill and passed away. Although his period of rule was short, he proved to be a successful leader. Following the death of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), he successfully suppressed the rebellions of those who claimed prophethood during the Ridda Wars. He also led successful campaigns against the two major powers of the time, the Persian and Byzantine Empires. These campaigns contributed to the expansion of the Muslim Caliphate, which became one of the largest empires in history within a few decades.
Lineage and Titles
The full name of Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) was Abdullah ibn Uthman ibn Amir ibn Amr ibn Ka'b ibn Sa'd ibn Taym ibn Murrah ibn Ka'b ibn Lu'ayy ibn Ghalib ibn Fihr al-Qurashi.
The lineage of Abu Bakr and the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) becomes connected at the eighth generation. Murrah ibn Ka'b was their common ancestor. The lineage of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was Muhammad ibn Abdullah ibn Abd al-Muttalib ibn Hashim ibn Abd Manaf ibn Qusayy ibn Kilab ibn Murrah.
In the Qur'an, Abu Bakr (RA) is referred to as “the second of the two” in connection with the migration. This refers to the time when he accompanied the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and took refuge with him in the Cave of Thawr during the Hijrah.
Because Abu Bakr immediately believed in the event of the Mi'raj when he heard about it, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) gave him the title Siddiq.
Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (RA) was a descendant of Abu Bakr (RA) through his mother's side. Through his father's side, he was a descendant of Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA).
Many hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) were narrated through Abu Bakr's daughter, Aisha (RA). Among women, she narrated a particularly large number of hadiths.
After the death of Abu Bakr (RA), his son Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr was raised by Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA). After Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr was killed by the Umayyads, Aisha (RA) educated and raised her nephew Qasim ibn Muhammad. She also taught another nephew, Urwah ibn al-Zubayr, who later taught his son Hisham ibn Urwah. Hisham ibn Urwah became one of the principal teachers of Imam Malik ibn Anas.
Qasim's mother was a member of the family of Ali (RA). His daughter, Farwah bint al-Qasim, married Muhammad al-Baqir. Their son was Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq. In this way, Qasim was the grandson of the first Caliph Abu Bakr (RA) and the grandfather of Ja'far al-Sadiq (RA).
Another grandson of Abu Bakr (RA), Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr, was very close to the Prophet's grandson, Husayn ibn Ali (RA). After Imam Husayn (RA) was killed, Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr opposed the Umayyads. He was later killed by the Umayyad forces.
Early Life
Hazrat Abu Bakr was born around 573 CE in the Banu Taym clan of the Quraysh tribe in Mecca. His father's name was Abu Quhafa and his mother's name was Salma bint Sakhar.
Like other Arab children, Abu Bakr spent his childhood in the traditional environment of Arabia. At the age of ten, he traveled to Syria with his father as part of a trading caravan. Later, he adopted trade as his profession. He traveled to Syria, Yemen, and other regions for business. These journeys made him wealthy and experienced.
Although his father was still alive, Abu Bakr (RA) began to receive respect as the leader of his tribe.
Abu Bakr was educated and had a strong interest in poetry. He possessed an excellent memory and was knowledgeable about the genealogies of Arab tribes.
Acceptance of Islam
Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) was among the earliest people to accept Islam. He is regarded as the first adult male to embrace Islam.
It is said that while many others had some degree of hesitation before accepting Islam, Abu Bakr accepted the faith without hesitation.
Life After Accepting Islam
Abu Bakr's wife, Qutaylah bint Abd al-Uzza, did not accept Islam, and Abu Bakr divorced her. His other wife, Umm Ruman, accepted Islam. Everyone in his household accepted Islam except his son Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr, who later became a Muslim.
Abu Bakr's acceptance of Islam inspired many others. He encouraged his close friends to embrace Islam, and many people accepted the faith through his influence.
People Who Accepted Islam Through Abu Bakr's Encouragement
Uthman ibn Affan — later the third Caliph of Islam
Al-Zubayr ibn al-Awwam
Talhah ibn Ubaydullah
Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf — an important figure of the Rashidun Caliphate
Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas — who later led Muslim forces in the conquest of Persia
Abu Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah — a commander of the Rashidun army in Syria
Abu Salama Abdullah ibn Abd al-Asad
Khalid ibn Sa'id
Abu Hudhayfa ibn al-Mughira
Abu Bakr's acceptance of Islam had far-reaching consequences. Slavery was widespread in Mecca at that time, and many slaves accepted Islam. Free people who accepted Islam faced opposition, but they generally enjoyed the protection of their tribes. Slaves, however, had no such protection and were subjected to persecution.
Abu Bakr showed great kindness toward slaves. He purchased many of them and set them free. Most of the slaves he freed were women, elderly people, or physically weak individuals.
Slaves Freed by Abu Bakr
Bilal ibn Rabah
Abu Fuhayrah
Ammar ibn Yasir
Abu Fukayhah
Lubaynah
Al-Nahdiyyah
Umm Ubays
Harithah bint al-Mu'ammil
Migration to Medina
In 622 CE, Muslims began migrating from Mecca to Medina. The migration took place in several groups. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Abu Bakr migrated together.
Before leaving Mecca, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) entrusted Ali ibn Abi Talib with the responsibility of returning the possessions that the people of Mecca had entrusted to him.
Fearing an attack, the Prophet and Abu Bakr did not take the northern route toward Medina. Instead, they traveled southward toward the route leading to Yemen and took refuge in the Cave of Thawr, about five miles away.
During this time, Abu Bakr's son Abdullah ibn Abi Bakr would stay with them at night and return to Mecca before dawn so that his movements would not arouse suspicion.
Abu Bakr's freed servant Amir ibn Fuhayrah would graze goats near the mountain in order to erase the traces left by Abdullah ibn Abi Bakr. He also provided them with goat's milk.
Abu Bakr's daughter Asma bint Abi Bakr was responsible for bringing food to them.
When the news of their migration became known, various people were sent from Mecca in different directions to capture them. When the searchers reached the cave, Abu Bakr became worried.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) reassured him by saying:
“What do you think of two when Allah is their third?”
The Qur'an mentions this event:
“If you do not help him, Allah has already helped him when those who disbelieved drove him out. He was one of two when they were in the cave, and he said to his companion, ‘Do not grieve; indeed Allah is with us.’ Then Allah sent down His tranquility upon him.”
— Surah At-Tawbah, verse 40
The “one of the two” mentioned in this verse refers to Abu Bakr (RA).
After spending three days and three nights in the cave, the two proceeded toward Medina. They reached Quba, on the outskirts of Medina, and stayed there for some time before eventually entering Medina.
Life in Medina
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) planned the construction of a mosque in Medina. The Prophet's Mosque, Masjid an-Nabawi, was subsequently built, and Abu Bakr participated in its construction.
Like other companions, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) established a bond of brotherhood between Abu Bakr and Kharijah ibn Zayd al-Ansari.
Kharijah ibn Zayd lived in Sunh, on the outskirts of Medina. Abu Bakr also settled there. After Abu Bakr's family moved to Medina, he purchased a house near the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Compared with Mecca, Medina had a more humid climate. As a result, many of the Muhajirun Muslims became ill after moving to the new environment. Abu Bakr also became sick and remained ill for several days. During this time, Kharijah and his family cared for him.
In Mecca, Abu Bakr had been a cloth merchant. He continued the same business in Medina, where his business quickly became successful.
Military Campaigns Under the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
The Battles of Badr and Uhud
In 624 CE, Abu Bakr participated in the Battle of Badr, the first major battle between the Muslims and the Quraysh. He was responsible for guarding the Prophet Muhammad's tent.
The following year, he also participated in the Battle of Uhud.
Conflict with a Jewish Tribe
Later, Abu Bakr participated in the campaign against the Jewish tribe of Banu Nadir.
The Battle of the Trench
In 627 CE, Abu Bakr participated in the Battle of the Trench and the subsequent campaign against Banu Qurayza.
During the Battle of the Trench, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) divided the soldiers into several groups and assigned different sections of the defensive line to them. One of these sections was placed under Abu Bakr's supervision.
Although the enemy attempted to cross the trench in various ways, Abu Bakr successfully prevented attacks in the section under his responsibility. A mosque was later built in that area in his name and became known as Masjid al-Siddiqi.
In 628 CE, Abu Bakr participated in the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah and signed it as one of its witnesses. He also participated in the Battle of Khaybar.
Abu Bakr as Amir al-Hajj
In 631 CE, a group of Muslims traveled to Mecca to perform Hajj free from the practices of the pre-Islamic period. Abu Bakr led this group.
In Islamic history, he is recognized as the first Amir al-Hajj, or leader of the Hajj pilgrimage.
After Abu Bakr and the pilgrims had departed for Hajj, Qur'anic verses concerning Hajj and relations with non-Muslims were revealed. Ali ibn Abi Talib was sent to convey these instructions.
Abu Bakr asked Ali whether he had come to lead the pilgrimage or to deliver instructions. Ali replied that he had come to deliver the instructions.
On the Day of Sacrifice, 10 Dhul-Hijjah, Ali announced the new instructions at the Jamaraat, the place where pilgrims perform the ritual stoning.
The instructions stated:
From that time onward, non-Muslims would not be permitted to come to the Kaaba for Hajj.
No one would be permitted to perform Tawaf around the Kaaba while naked.
Treaties made with polytheists were cancelled, and a period of four months was granted to settle these matters. A four-month period was also granted to those outside the scope of existing treaties. However, if the polytheists had not violated their agreements with the Muslims and had not assisted anyone against the Muslims, their treaties would remain valid until their specified terms expired.
Leadership of a Military Expedition
Abu Bakr (RA) led a military expedition that became known as the Expedition of Abu Bakr Siddiq. This expedition took place in Najd.
Death of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
Some time after returning from the Farewell Hajj, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) became ill. His illness gradually became more severe.
He continued leading the prayers until four days before his death. After that, because of the severity of his illness, he was unable to lead the prayers. He appointed Abu Bakr to lead the Muslims in prayer.
When news of the Prophet's death began to spread, Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) became deeply distressed and initially refused to accept that the Prophet had died. He said that Muhammad (PBUH) would return just as Musa (AS) had remained on Mount Tur for forty days.
At that time, Abu Bakr came from his home in Sunh and entered the room of Aisha (RA), where the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had passed away.
Abu Bakr said:
“May my parents be sacrificed for you. Allah will not combine two deaths upon you. The death that was written for you has come to pass.”
He then went outside and announced:
“Whoever among you worshipped Muhammad should know that Muhammad has passed away. But whoever worships Allah should know that Allah is Ever-Living and will never die.”
Abu Bakr Recites a Verse from the Qur'an
Abu Bakr (RA) recited the following verse from the Qur'an:
“Muhammad is only a Messenger. Many messengers have passed away before him. So if he dies or is killed, will you turn back on your heels? Whoever turns back will never harm Allah in the least. And Allah will reward those who are grateful.”
— Surah Aal-Imran, verse 144
After Abu Bakr's speech, Umar's condition became calm.
Selection of the Caliph
After the death of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), differences arose among Muslims concerning his succession.
The Muhajirun and Ansar discussed selecting a leader from among themselves. Some tribes wanted to return to the traditional tribal system of leadership.
The Ansar gathered at a place known as Saqifah to discuss the matter. Abu Bakr, Umar, and Abu Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah then arrived there.
During the discussion, Umar ibn al-Khattab declared his allegiance to Abu Bakr, and Abu Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah followed him. Subsequently, the others also accepted Abu Bakr as the Caliph.
His Caliphate
The caliphate of Hazrat Abu Bakr lasted for 27 months, or a little more than two years.
During this short period, he faced several serious challenges and successfully dealt with them. He suppressed the rebellions of individuals who claimed prophethood during the Ridda Wars.
He also launched campaigns against the Byzantine and Sasanian Empires, which changed the course of history. These campaigns were later continued by Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) and Uthman ibn Affan (RA). As a result, the Muslim Empire emerged as a powerful empire within a few decades.
After becoming Caliph, Abu Bakr gave up his cloth business following consultation with others and began receiving an allowance from the state treasury.
The Ridda Wars
After Abu Bakr (RA) became Caliph, a number of serious problems emerged. These challenges threatened the structure of the Muslim state.
Several Arab tribes rebelled, and a number of individuals claimed prophethood. Musaylimah was one of the most prominent among them.
Some tribes claimed that they had only pledged allegiance to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and that their alliance had ended after his death. In ancient Arabia, it was customary for tribal alliances to end after the death of a tribal leader.
In addition, the rebellious tribes refused to pay Zakat.
Abu Bakr rejected their demands and moved to suppress the rebellion.
These events led to the beginning of the Ridda Wars.
Musaylimah led the rebellion in Yamamah in central Arabia. Other centers of rebellion were located in Bahrain, Oman, Mahra, and Yemen in the south and east.
Abu Bakr developed a military strategy and organized the Muslim army into 11 groups. The strongest army was commanded by Khalid ibn al-Walid. These forces were used against the strongest opponents, while other armies were assigned to deal with comparatively weaker opponents.
Abu Bakr's plan was first to bring western and central Arabia under control, then deal with Malik ibn Nuwayrah, and finally confront the strongest opponent, Musaylimah.
After a series of successful campaigns, Khalid ibn al-Walid eventually defeated Musaylimah in the Battle of Yamamah.
Once the rebellions had been suppressed, Arabia was once again united under the authority of the Caliphate.
In July 632 CE, Hazrat Abu Bakr formed an army consisting of members of the Prophet Muhammad's own clan, Banu Hashim. Ali ibn Abi Talib, Talhah ibn Ubaydullah, and Al-Zubayr ibn al-Awwam each commanded one-third of the army.
They fought the forces of Tulayhah, a self-proclaimed prophet, at the Battle of Dhu Qissa. Tulayhah and his followers had planned to attack Medina during the Ridda Wars. Tulayhah was defeated in this battle.
Compilation of the Qur'an
The holy month of Ramadan is the month in which the Qur'an was revealed as guidance for humanity's worldly well-being and salvation in the Hereafter.
The Qur'an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) through the Angel Jibril over a period of 23 years. It serves as guidance and a source of salvation for humanity.
The Qur'an states:
“The month of Ramadan is that in which the Qur'an was revealed, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion.”
— Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 185
Abu Bakr was the first to compile the Qur'an into a single written collection.
Before this, different portions of the Qur'an had been written separately, while many companions had memorized it.
After many memorizers of the Qur'an were martyred in the Battle of Yamamah, Umar ibn al-Khattab suggested that the Qur'an should be compiled into a single written collection.
Initially, Abu Bakr was reluctant because this had not been done during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). However, Umar eventually persuaded him.
A committee was formed under the leadership of Zayd ibn Thabit. The members of the committee were memorizers of the Qur'an. They collected all available portions of the Qur'an and compiled them into a single written collection, cross-checking the written material with the memorization of the companions.
Before his death, Abu Bakr (RA) entrusted this copy of the Qur'an to his successor, Umar ibn al-Khattab. It remained in Umar's possession during his caliphate.
Umar later entrusted the Qur'an to his daughter and the wife of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Hafsa bint Umar.
Later, Caliph Uthman ibn Affan (RA) ordered additional copies of the Qur'an to be prepared and sent them to different parts of the Caliphate.
Campaigns Against the Byzantine Empire
The successful campaigns in the Sasanian Empire increased Abu Bakr's confidence in Khalid ibn al-Walid.
Abu Bakr gathered four large armies at Dhu Qissa and sent them toward Roman Syria. Each army had a separate commander and objective.
The commanders learned through intelligence reports that a large Byzantine army was advancing toward Ajnadayn. Therefore, they decided not to advance further and requested additional assistance from Abu Bakr.
At that time, the Muslim position in Iraq was strong. Abu Bakr therefore instructed Khalid to take half of his army from Iraq and advance toward Syria. Khalid was placed in charge of the Muslim army in Syria.
At that time, the Byzantine province of Syria included areas corresponding to present-day Syria, Jordan, Israel, the Palestinian territories, Lebanon, and parts of southern Turkey.
There were two main routes from Iraq to Syria. One passed through Dumat al-Jandal, while the other passed through Raqqa.
Khalid avoided the more commonly used route through Dumat al-Jandal because it was long and could take weeks to reach Syria.
He also avoided the Mesopotamian route through Raqqa because Byzantine garrisons were located in northern Syria and parts of northern Mesopotamia. Confronting these garrisons would have delayed his arrival.
Instead, Khalid chose a shorter and less commonly used route through the Syrian desert.
In this way, Khalid entered northern Syria and attacked the Byzantines from the right flank. His surprise attack had a significant impact on the Byzantine forces.
Khalid entered Syria in June 634 CE and quickly captured the frontier fortresses of Sawa, Araq, Tadmor, Sukhnah, Qarqisiyah, and Hawarin.
He then advanced toward Damascus. After that, he moved toward Bosra, the capital of the Ghassanid Arab kingdom, which was allied with the Byzantines.
He ordered the other Muslim commanders to gather their forces at Bosra.
At Marj al-Rahit, Khalid defeated the Ghassanid army.
Meanwhile, Abu Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah, the supreme commander of the Muslim forces in Syria, ordered another commander, Shurahbil ibn Hasanah, to attack Bosra.
Shurahbil besieged Bosra with his relatively small army. The Byzantines and their Arab allies assumed that this force was merely the advance party of a larger Muslim army and decided to attack it.
They came out of the fortified city and attacked Shurahbil's army. Khalid arrived there and joined the battle.
The combined forces of Khalid, Shurahbil, and Abu Ubaydah then fought in the Battle of Bosra. This resulted in the end of the Ghassanid dynasty.
Following the Caliph's instructions, Khalid took command of the Muslim army from Abu Ubaydah.
A large Byzantine army began gathering at Ajnadayn. Following Khalid's instructions, the Muslim army also assembled there.
The defeat of the Byzantines at the Battle of Ajnadayn resulted in Syria coming under Muslim control.
Khalid then decided to capture Damascus, one of the strongest Byzantine strongholds.
He reached Damascus and laid siege to the city. To isolate Damascus from the surrounding regions, Muslim forces were stationed to the south along the route toward Palestine, to the north along the Damascus-Emesa route, and at several other locations.
After a siege lasting 30 days, Khalid succeeded in capturing Damascus.
When Emperor Heraclius learned of the fall of Damascus, he traveled from Emesa toward Antioch.
The citizens were granted the right to live peacefully in exchange for an annual tax. The Byzantine army was also given three days to withdraw from the area.
After this period expired, the Battle of Marj al-Dibaj took place between the Byzantines and the Muslim army under Khalid's leadership, approximately 190 miles north of Damascus.
After Abu Bakr's death, Umar ibn al-Khattab became Caliph. He honorably removed Khalid from overall command and appointed Abu Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah as the new commander of the Muslim army in Syria.
Death of Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA)
On August 23, 634 CE, Hazrat Abu Bakr became seriously ill. As his illness worsened, he became confined to his bed.
Abu Bakr realized that it was necessary to nominate a successor so that disagreements would not arise among Muslims after his death.
After consulting with the other companions, he appointed Umar ibn al-Khattab as his successor.
Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) passed away on August 23, 634 CE.
He was buried beside the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the room of Aisha (RA).
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