It was narrated that Anas said: “It was said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, which of the people is most beloved to you?’ He said: “Aishah.’ It was asked, ‘And among men?’ He said: ‘Her father.’ He is Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq, and his full name is Abdullah bin Abu Quhafah Uthman bin Aamer Al Qurashi Al Taymi. He was born in Makkah, two years and some months after the birth of the Prophet Mohammad (ﷺ). He enjoyed a great status among his tribe and he was the most knowledgeable person of people’s lineages, an advantage that facilitated him to call people to Islam. He was among the first people who converted to Islam. He convinced a group of the best immigrants and who were promised Jannah, such as Az-Zubayr ibn al-‘Awwām, Talhah bin ‘Ubaidullah, Sa’d Ibn Abi Waqqas, Abdur Rahman Bin Auf, and Uthman bin Affan, may Allah be pleased with them all. He was the prophet Muhammad companion in his stay and travel, the Holy Quran witnessed his love to the prophet Muhammad in Surah Al-Tawbah:40 ”If you do not aid the Prophet – Allah has already aided him when those who disbelieved had driven him out [of Makkah] as one of two, when they were in the cave and he said to his companion, “Do not grieve; indeed Allah is with us.” (إِلَّا تَنصُرُوهُ فَقَدْ نَصَرَهُ اللَّهُ إِذْ أَخْرَجَهُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا ثَانِيَ اثْنَيْنِ إِذْ هُمَا فِي الْغَارِ إِذْ يَقُولُ لِصَاحِبِهِ لَا تَحْزَنْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَنَا ۖ ).
He was the first man to believe in the prophet Muhammad and accepted Islam, their strong friendship made his acceptance quick and without any doubts. The prophet Muhammad initiated to tell his friend Abu Bakr about the message and the prophecy that he received from Allah, and he believed in him immediately. Syyidna Abu Bakr knew the honesty of his close friend, and that he never lied to people before so how it is possible that the prophet Muhammad would lie to Allah! The Prophet (ﷺ) once said: ”Abu Bakr was the only person who accepted Islam immediately, without suspicion”. Abu Bakr was accessible, had polite and tender nature. He had an adequate knowledge about his tribe ”Qurish” including the good and bad people. He was a merchant, a man of morals, and his people used to visit him asking his consult. Thus, he started to call people to Islam, his friends and those who used to visit him.” The Messenger of Allah said: ”The most merciful of my Ummah towards my Ummah is Abu Bakr.” As the number of Muslims rose to thirty-nine, Abu Bakr Siddiq (R.A.) asked the Prophet’s (ﷺ) permission to call the people openly to Islam. After persisting in this request, the Prophet (ﷺ) gave his consent and they all went to the Makkah’s Holy Mosque (Kaaba) for preaching. Abu Bakr (R.A.) delivered a sermon which was the first ever in the annals of Islam. When the unbelievers among the Quraish heard it, they fell upon Abu Bakr (R.A.) and the Muslims from all sides. Abu Bakr (R.A.) was beaten so severely that he fell unconscious and was near death. When he at last regained consciousness, he immediately enquired: “How is the Prophet?. Despite all his pains, he was only concerned for the prophet Muhammad’s safety.
For the first three years, the Prophet (ﷺ) called people to Islam secretly, asking those who declined the offer not to disclose the matter to anyone. The house of Arqam ibn Abi Arqam (r.a) served as a secret meeting place for the Companions, after he became Muslim during the first year of Prophethood. The House of Arqam, also known as the House of Islam, was situated by the Hill of Safa in Mecca. Here in this sacred house, the Prophet (ﷺ) would take refuge to explain Islam, recite and teach the Quran to those who would come, away from Meccan idolaters. This was not out of fear of incurring torment and hardship but was rather for the benefit of Islam. When the call of Islam started to another stage of publicity, men of Qurish rejected Islam, and they persecuted all the weak and helpless men and women. So, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr used his wealth and influence to assist persecuted Muslims and support the Prophet Muhammad’s mission. The early years of Islamic preaching in Makkah were the most terrible years for the prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) and the few Muslims he was able to gather around him. In this stage of the spreading Islam, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr had a great role and participation, he was a strong advocate for the prophet Muhammad and poor people. He bought the slaves who were oppressed and tortured by their masters because they converted to Islam and released them. It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said: “The Messenger of Allah said: ‘The wealth of none of you has benefited me as much as the wealth of Abu Bakr.'” Abu Bakr wept and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, I and my wealth are only for you, O Messenger of Allah.’
We draw near to Allah by the love of his prophet (ﷺ), the love of the prophet’s companions, and the love of Syyiduna Abu Bakr. May Allah be pleased with our master Abu Bakr and gather us with them all in Jannah.
