STATUS OF
HADHRAT ABU BAKR (R.A.)

Honour and glory belongs only to Allah Ta’ala. He grants virtue, merit and dignity to whomsoever He pleases. When Allah Himself accords anyone with status, no mortal being has a hand in disgracing or degrading him without himself being humiliated. After the Ambiyaa (AS), Allah has conferred great status to Hadhrath Abu Bakr (Radhiallaahu Ánhu). He has made reference to him in the Qur’aan and also via the blessed tongue of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam). Besides, the love that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) had for Hadhrath Abu Bakr (Radhiallaahu Ánhu), and the love which Hadhrath Abu Bakr (Radhiallaahu Ánhu) had for Allah Ta’ala, for Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam), and for Islam is irrefutable.

Verses of the Qur’aan regarding Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radhiallahu Anhu)

Allah Ta’ala says:
"If you do not help Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam), then Allah Ta’ala assisted him when the unbelievers drove him out, he was one of the two when the two were in the cave, and he said to his companion, " Do not grieve for indeed Allah is with us." Then Allah sent down his Sakeenah (peace) on him."

Commenting on this verse, Hadhrath Ali (Radhiallaahu Ánhu) states, " In this Ayah, Allah Ta’ala reprimanded the entire world besides Hadhrath Abu Bakr (Radhiallaahu Ánhu) for not Assisting Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam). Moreover Allah has praised and commended Hadhrath Abu Bakr (Radhiallaahu Ánhu)." Allah Ta’ala refers to Hadhrath Abu Bakr (Radhiallaahu Ánhu) as "Thaniyathnain" (the second of the two). Imaam Qurtubi states, "It is evident from this term that Hadhrath Abu Bakr (Radhiallaahu Ánhu) is the automatic Khalifa after Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam). The "second" of a leader is his successor." (Qurtubi v8 , p147). Further, Allah Ta’ala refers to Hadhrath Abu Bakr (Radhiallaahu Ánhu) as "Sahib" which signifies companion. Hence his "Sahabiyat" (companionship with Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) has been evident and established in the Qur’aan. He enjoys the virtue of bieng the only sahabi whose companionship with Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) is mentioned in the Qur’aan. Allah Ta’ala relates the words of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam), " for indeed Allah is with us." Allah will only be with the true believers. Hence the Ayah firmly establishes the strong imaan of Hadhrath Abu Bakr (Radhiallaahu Ánhu). In Sura Ash Shams Allah refers to Hadhrath Abu Bakr as "Atqa" (The most righteous). Allah Ta’ala declares, "The most honoured in the eyes of Allah is the most righteous among you." From this it is ascertained that Hadhrath Abu Bakr (Radhiallaahu Ánhu) was the most superior personality among the Sahabah.

Ahadith pertaining to Hadhrath Abu Bakr’s (Radhiallaahu Ánhu) virtues

Hadhrath Aa’isha (Radhiallaahu Ánha) relates that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said to her in his last illness, "call Abu Bakr, your father and your brother to me so that I may write out a declaration, for certainly I fear that an aspirant may aspire or someone may say, " I (am worthy of the Khilafah) while Allah and the believers would desire none besides Abu Bakr." (Muslim). This Hadith bears ample testimony that Hadhrath Abu Bakr is the only sahabi who had the right to the Khilafah after Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam). In another hadith Hadhrath Aa’isha (Radhiallaahu Ánha) relates, "Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, "It is not appropriate for anyone else to lead the congregational salaah in a nation in which Hadhrath Abu BAKR (Radhiallaahu Ánhu) IS PRESENT." (Thirmidhi). This hadith suffices to establish the superiority of Hadhrath Abu Bakr over all other sahabah. It is evident that the most superior is most eligible and qualified to asume the Khilafat after Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam).

Hadhrath ibn Umar (Radhiallaahu Ánhu) relates that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, "I will be the first to be raised from my grave (on the day of judgement), thereafter Abu Bakr and then Umar (will be raised). (Thirmidhi)

To be raised with Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) indicates the imaan of Hadhrath Abu Bakr (Radhiallaahu Ánhu). This hadith proves that Hadhrath Abu Bakr left this world with imaan and he will rise on the Day of Qiyaamah with imaan.

May Allah Ta’ala grant us true love for Hadhrath Abu Bakr and all the sahaba (Radhiallaahu Anhum) and Nabi (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam).

Ml. AS Chohan

Al-Jamiat Publications Vol. 3 No. 9

Last updated: December 22, 2005

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