This excerpt is taken from the book of Sheikh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amanpuri Hafizahullah Difa-e-Sahaba Razi Allah Anhum.
Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq Razi Allah Anhu
Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه has countless virtues and merits. He is the father-in-law of the Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم. Before prophethood and after prophethood, he remained a companion of the Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم. He was the companion of migration, the companion in the cave, and the companion in travel and residence. He was with the Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم in all battles. He is also a companion in the grave and will be a companion in Paradise.
Allama Qurtubi رحمه الله (671 AH) says:
الذي يقطع به من الكتاب والسنة وأقوال علماء الأمة ويجب أن تؤمن به القلوب والأفئدة فضل الصديق على جميع الصحابة، ولا مبالاة بأقوال أهل الشيع ولا أهل البدع.
"What is conclusively known from the Book and Sunnah, and from the statements of the scholars of the Ummah, and which must be believed with heart and soul, is that Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه has superiority over all the companions, and the statements of the Shia and the people of innovation have no status in this regard."
Reference: (Tafsir al-Qurtubi: 148/8)
Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه holds the distinction of being the best and most knowledgeable of the companions.
Reference: (Bukhari: 3697, 466)
It is narrated in mutawatir reports that Sayyiduna Ali رضي الله عنه acknowledged his superiority.
Reference: (Bukhari: 3671, 3711)
He has the honor of being among the first to embrace Islam.
Reference: (Muslim: 732)
The testimony of his faith was given by the Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم himself.
Reference: (Bukhari: 3690, Muslim: 2388)
He was the most beloved to the Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم.
Reference: (Bukhari: 3662, Muslim: 2384)
The noble companions considered him their leader, the best, and the most beloved to the Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم.
Reference: (Bukhari: 3667)
He is among those fortunate ones who will be called through all eight gates of Paradise.
Reference: (Bukhari: 3666, Muslim: 1027)
The Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم appointed him as the imam in prayer during his lifetime.
Reference: (Bukhari: 664, Muslim: 418)
He was elected as the first Caliph of Islam. His selection was made by the Muhajireen and Ansar.
Reference: (Bukhari: 6830)
He made countless sacrifices for the dominance of Islam. He bought and freed Sayyiduna Bilal رضي الله عنه.
Reference: (Bukhari: 3754)
He رضي الله عنه felt happiness in serving the Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم.
Reference: (Bukhari: 3908)
The Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم gave him glad tidings of Paradise many times.
Reference: (Bukhari: 3674, Muslim: 2403)
The Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم made him his brother and companion.
Reference: (Bukhari: 3656)
Once, a harsh exchange occurred between Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه and Sayyiduna Umar رضي الله عنه. Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه sought forgiveness, and Umar رضي الله عنه was hesitant. Then the Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم gave a sermon and said: "Can you not forgive my companion for my sake? Can you not forgive my companion for my sake? There was a time when I said: O people! I was sent as a Messenger to all of you, but you all denied me, yet Abu Bakr confirmed me."
Reference: (Bukhari: 4640)
The Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم honored and respected him رضي الله عنه.
Reference: (Musnad Ahmad: 160/3, with Hasan chain)
The Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم prayed for his forgiveness.
Reference: (Bukhari: 3661)
He was given the title "Siddiq" by the Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم.
Reference: (Bukhari: 3675)
Hafiz Nawawi رحمه الله (676 AH) says:
أجمعت الأئمة على تسميته صديقا.
"There is consensus among Muslims on the title 'Siddiq' for Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه."
Reference: (Tahdhib al-Asma wa al-Lughat: 181/2)
Allama Zarkashi رحمه الله (794 AH) writes:
أجمع المسلمون على تسمية أبى بكر صديقا كما أجمعوا على تسمية نبينا محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم.
"There is consensus among all Muslims on the title 'Siddiq' for Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه, just as there is consensus that the name of our Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم is 'Muhammad'."
Reference: (Tashnif al-Masamie: 831/4)
Once, when 'Aqba bin Abi Mu'ayt placed a cloth over the throat of the Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم to strangle him, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه immediately stepped forward to defend and pushed him away by the shoulder.
Reference: (Bukhari: 3856)
The chief of Mecca, Ibn Dughna, a disbeliever, praised him رضي الله عنه and acknowledged his superiority and importance, calling him a useful member of society.
Reference: (Bukhari: 3905)
The companions acknowledged that the Muslims received countless blessings because of Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه and his family.
Reference: (Bukhari: 334, Muslim: 367)
The food in his house was blessed; the companions testified that when they ate from his house, even if they took one bite, the food would increase until they were full, yet the food had increased.
Reference: (Bukhari: 602, Muslim: 2057)
He رضي الله عنه was eloquent and an impromptu orator.
Reference: (Bukhari: 6830)
Many of his eloquent sermons are recorded in the books of Hadith.
When the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم came out during his illness of death, his head was wrapped in cloth. He sat on the pulpit, praised Allah, and then said:
"No one has done more favor to me than Abu Bakr, whether in wealth or life. If I were to make a close friend, I would make Abu Bakr, but the companionship of Islam is better. Close every window of this mosque except the one facing Abu Bakr."
Reference: (Sahih Bukhari: 467, 3654)
This Hadith is mutawatir.
Reference: (Nazm al-Mutanathir lil-Kattani p. 193)
The Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said to Sayyida Aisha رضي الله عنها to call Abu Bakr and Abdul Rahman bin Abi Bakr, intending to write the Caliphate, but then he abandoned the intention and said:
يأبى الله والمؤمنون إلا أبا بكر.
"If anyone's name other than Abu Bakr comes for the Caliphate, then Allah and the believers will reject it."
Reference: (Musnad Imam Ahmad: 144/6, Sahih Muslim: 2387)
Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه had passionate love and devotion for Ahl al-Bayt and fully respected their rights. He used to say that while respecting the rights of Ahl al-Bayt, one should express passionate love and devotion for Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم.
Reference: (Bukhari: 3713)
His daughter Sayyida Aisha رضي الله عنها also treated the relatives of the Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم with great affection, love, respect, and honor.
Reference: (Bukhari: 3503)
Sayyiduna Ali رضي الله عنه said:
إنا قد عرفنا يا أبا بكر فضيلتك، وذكر قرابتهم من رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وحقهم، فتكلم أبو بكر، فقال : والذي نفسي بيده! لقرابة رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أحب إلى أن أصل من قرابتي.
"Abu Bakr! We acknowledge your superiority and status." Then he mentioned the kinship and rights of Ahl al-Bayt with the Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه said: "By the One in Whose hand is my life! Treating the relatives of the Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم well is dearer to me than my own relatives."
Reference: (Sahih Bukhari: 3711, 3712; Sahih Muslim: 1758)
On the day of the martyrdom of Sayyiduna Umar رضي الله عنه, Sayyiduna Ali رضي الله عنه said:
"I was certain that Allah would grant you (Umar رضي الله عنه) a place with your companions (the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم and Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه) in Paradise, because I often heard the Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم say: I, Abu Bakr, and Umar went; I, Abu Bakr, and Umar entered; I, Abu Bakr, and Umar left."
Reference: (Sahih Bukhari: 3685, Sahih Muslim: 2389)
Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه is the only Caliph who waged jihad against the apostates.
Reference: (Bukhari: 7284, Muslim: 21)
He رضي الله عنه compiled the Quran between two leather covers.
Reference: (Bukhari: 4986)
Therefore, he is called "Jami' al-Quran" (the compiler of the Quran). The Quran refers to Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه as a "companion."
Allah Almighty says:
ثَانِيَ اثْنَيْنِ إِذْ هُمَا فِي الْغَارِ إِذْ يَقُولُ لِصَاحِبِهِ لَا تَحْزَنْ إِنَّ اللهَ مَعَنَا
"The second of the two, when they were both in the cave, said to his companion (Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه), 'Do not grieve; indeed Allah is with us.'"
Reference: (Surah At-Tawbah: 40)
Regarding this verse, Hafiz Suyuti رحمه الله (911 AH) says:
أجمع المسلمون على أن الصاحب المذكور أبو بكر.
"There is consensus among Muslims that the 'companion' mentioned in the verse is Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه."
Reference: (Tarikh al-Khulafa p. 41)
Allama Mulla Ali Qari Hanafi رحمه الله (1014 AH) says:
أجمع عليه المفسرون.
"(The companion in this verse is Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه.) There is consensus among the commentators on this."
Reference: (Jami' al-Wasa'il: 221/2)
It is established in Sahih Bukhari
Reference: (4663)
and Sahih Muslim
Reference: (2381)
that Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه was the companion of the Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم in the cave.Allah's command is:
وَسَيُجَنَّبُهَا الْأَتْقَى
"Soon the greatest abstainer from Hell will be saved."
This refers to Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه.
Reference: (Surah Al-Lail: 17)
Hafiz Bagawi رحمه الله (510 AH) says:
يعني أبا بكر الصديق، فى قول الجميع.
"According to all commentators, this refers to Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه."
Reference: (Tafsir al-Baghawi: 448/8)
Allama Fakhr al-Razi رحمه الله (606 AH) says:
أجمع المفسرون منا على أن المراد منه أبو بكر رضي الله تعالى عنه.
"There is consensus among our commentators that this refers to Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه."
Reference: (Tafsir al-Razi: 187/31)
Allah's command is:
وَالَّذِي جَاءَ بِالصِّدْقِ وَصَدَّقَ بِهِ أُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُتَّقُونَ
"He who brought the truth and confirmed it - those are the righteous."
Reference: (Surah Az-Zumar: 33)
Allah Almighty says:
وَلَا يَأْتَلِ أُولُو الْفَضْلِ مِنكُمْ وَالسَّعَةِ أَن يُؤْتُوا أُولِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينَ وَالْمُهَاجِرِينَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ۖ وَلْيَعْفُوا وَلْيَصْفَحُوا ۗ أَلَا تُحِبُّونَ أَن يَغْفِرَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
"Let not those of virtue and wealth among you swear not to give to their relatives, the needy, and those who have emigrated in the cause of Allah. Let them pardon and overlook. Do you not love that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful."
Reference: (Surah An-Nur: 22)
This verse was revealed concerning Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه.
Reference: (Bukhari: 2661)
These four verses are about Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه. His name is not mentioned, but his qualities are described, which greatly enhance his greatness and virtue.
Imam Waki' ibn al-Jarrah رحمه الله (197 AH) says:
لولا أبو بكر الصديق لذهب الإسلام.
"If Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه had not existed, Islam would have been erased."
Reference: (Fada'il al-Sahabah by Ahmad ibn Hanbal: 111, 114 with authentic chain)
Imam Abu Zur'ah Razi رحمه الله (264 AH) and Imam Abu Hatim Razi رحمه الله (277 AH) stated the unanimous belief of Ahl al-Sunnah as follows:
أدركنا العلماء فى جميع الأمصار حجازا وعراقا وشاما ويمنا فكان من مذهبهم: ... خير هذه الأمة بعد نبيها صلى الله عليه وسلم أبو بكر الصديق، ثم عمر بن الخطاب، ثم عثمان بن عفان، ثم على بن أبى طالب عليهم السلام، وهم الخلفاء الراشدون المهديون.
"We have seen the scholars of all regions of Hijaz, Iraq, Sham, and Yemen, and their religion was that... after the Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم, the best personality of this Ummah is Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه, then Umar ibn al-Khattab, then Uthman ibn Affan, then Ali ibn Abi Talib رضي الله عنهم. All of them are rightly guided Caliphs."
Reference: (Usul Madhhab Ahl al-Sunnah)
The consensus belief of the Abbasid scholars is:
يجب أن يحب الصحابة من أصحاب النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم كلهم، ونعلم أنهم خير الخلق بعد رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، وأن خيرهم كلهم وأفضلهم بعد رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، أبو بكر الصديق، ثم عمر بن الخطاب، ثم عثمان بن عفان، ثم على بن أبى طالب رضي الله عنهم.
"It is necessary to love all the companions of the Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم. We know that after the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم, the companions are the best people of the Ummah. Also, after the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم, the most excellent and best is Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه, then Umar ibn al-Khattab, then Uthman ibn Affan, then Ali ibn Abi Talib رضي الله عنهم."
Reference: (Al-Muntazam fi Tarikh al-Muluk wal-Umam by Ibn al-Jawzi: 281/15 with authentic chain)
Hafiz Nawawi رحمه الله (676 AH) says:
قال أهل السنة: أفضلهم أبو بكر الصديق.
"The belief of Ahl al-Sunnah is that among the companions, the most excellent is Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه."
Reference: (Sharh al-Nawawi: 148/15)
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله (728 AH) says:
أفضل أولياء الله بعد الرسل أبو بكر الصديق رضي الله عنه.
"After the messengers, the best of the awliya (friends of Allah) is Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه."
Reference: (Al-Fatawa al-Kubra: 401/2)
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله narrates:
إجماع علماء السنة على أن أبا بكر أعلم من علي، وما علمت أحدا من الأئمة المشهورين ينازع فى ذلك.
"There is consensus among the scholars of Ahl al-Sunnah that Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه is more knowledgeable than Sayyiduna Ali رضي الله عنه, and I (Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله) do not know of any famous imam who has differed on this."
Reference: (Al-Fatawa al-Kubra: 430/4, Majmu' al-Fatawa: 399/4, Minhaj al-Sunnah: 502/7)
Sayyiduna Anas ibn Malik رضي الله عنه narrates:
إن رجلا سأل النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم عن الساعة، فقال: متى الساعة؟ قال: وماذا أعددت لها، قال: لا شيء، إلا أني أحب الله ورسوله صلى الله عليه وسلم، فقال: أنت مع من أحببت، قال أنس: فما فرحنا بشيء، فرحنا بقول النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم: أنت مع من أحببت، قال أنس: فأنا أحب النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم وأبا بكر، وعمر، وأرجو أن أكون معهم بحبي إياهم، وإن لم أعمل بمثل أعمالهم.
"A man asked the Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم when the Day of Judgment would come. He said: What preparation have you made for it? He replied: Nothing, except that I love Allah and His Messenger صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم. The Prophet said: You will be with those whom you love. Anas رضي الله عنه said: We were never happier than when we heard this prophetic statement that you will be with those whom you love. Anas said: I love the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم and Abu Bakr and Umar رضي الله عنهم, and I hope that because of this love, I will be with them, even though my deeds are not like theirs."
Reference: (Sahih Bukhari: 3688, Sahih Muslim: 2639)
Sayyida Aisha رضي الله عنها narrates:
رأيت كأن ثلاثة أقمار سقطت فى حجرتي، فسألت أبا بكر رضي الله عنه، فقال: يا عائشة، إن تصدق رؤياك يدفن فى بيتك خير أهل الأرض ثلاثة، فلما قبض رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ودفن، قال لي أبو بكر: يا عائشة، هذا خير أقمارك، وهو أحدها.
"I saw a dream that three moons descended into my chamber. I asked Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه for the interpretation, and he said: Aisha! If your dream is true, then the three best people in the universe will be buried in your house. When the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم passed away and was buried, Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه said to me: Aisha! Among your moons, the best moon is this one." (Aisha رضي الله عنها said that one of these moons was Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه himself.)
Reference: (Al-Mustadrak lil-Hakim: 4400 with authentic chain)
After being elected Caliph, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه delivered a sermon:
أما بعد أيها الناس، فإني قد وليت عليكم ولست بخيركم، فإن أحسنت فأعينوني، وإن أسأت فقوموني، الصدق أمانة، والكذب خيانة، والضعيف فيكم قوي عندي حتى أريح عليه حقه إن شاء الله، والقوي فيكم ضعيف عندي حتى آخذ الحق منه إن شاء الله، لا يدع قوم الجهاد فى سبيل الله إلا ضربهم الله بالذل، ولا تشيع الفاحشة فى قوم قط إلا عمهم الله بالبلاء، أطيعوني ما أطعت الله ورسوله، فإذا عصيت الله ورسوله فلا طاعة لي عليكم، قوموا إلى صلاتكم يرحمكم الله.
"To proceed! O people! I have been appointed as your leader, while I am not better than you. If I do good, help me; and if I err, correct me. Truth is a trust, and falsehood is betrayal. The weak among you is strong in my eyes, and, God willing, I will give him his full right. And the strong among you is weak in my eyes, and, God willing, I will take the (legal) right from him. A nation that abandons jihad in the way of Allah, Allah disgraces them, and a nation in which immorality becomes widespread, Allah afflicts them with calamities. As long as I remain obedient to Allah and His Messenger, obey me; and when I disobey Allah and His Messenger, you have no obedience to me. Now stand up for prayer; may Allah have mercy on you all."
Reference: (Sirat Ibn Hisham: 318/4, with Hasan chain)
Hafiz Ibn Kathir رحمه الله has declared its chain authentic.
Reference: (Al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah: 415/9)
Salim bin Abi Hafsah رحمه الله says:
"I asked Abu Ja'far Muhammad bin Ali Baqir رحمه الله and Ja'far bin Muhammad Sadiq رحمه الله about Sayyiduna Abu Bakr and Umar رضي الله عنهما, and they said: Salim! Love them and express disassociation from their enemies because they were the leaders of guidance. Salim says: Ja'far bin Muhammad Sadiq رحمه الله also said to me: Salim! Can a person insult his grandfather? Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه is my grandfather. I will not receive the intercession of Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم on the Day of Judgment if I do not love them and express disassociation from their enemies."
Reference: (Al-I'tiqad by Al-Bayhaqi: 506, with Hasan chain)
Sayyiduna Zaid bin Kharithah رضي الله عنه spoke after death:
أبو بكر الصديق الأمين خليفة رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، كان ضعيفا فى جسمه، قويا فى أمر الله، صدق صدق، وكان فى الكتاب الأول.
"Abu Bakr Siddiq and the trustworthy Caliph of the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم are physically weak, but strong in carrying out Allah's command. This is the truth, this is the truth, and this is mentioned in the earlier books as well."
Reference: (Man 'Asha Ba'd al-Mawt by Ibn Abi al-Dunya p. 22, Dala'il al-Nubuwwah by Al-Bayhaqi: 56/6 with Hasan chain)
Hafiz Bayhaqi رحمه الله declared its chain "authentic."
Hafiz Ibn Kathir رحمه الله says:
أما قصة زيد بن خارجة وكلامه بعد الموت، وشهادته للنبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ولأبي بكر وعمر وعثمان بالصدق، فمشهورة مروية من وجوه كثيرة صحيحة .
"The story of Sayyiduna Zaid bin Kharithah رضي الله عنه speaking after death and testifying to the truthfulness of the Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه, Sayyiduna Umar رضي الله عنه, and Sayyiduna Uthman رضي الله عنه is narrated in many authentic traditions."
Reference: (Al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah: 393/9)
