Abu Bakr (ra) - Part 2 Setting His Own Standards

Abu Bakr (ra) - Part 2: Setting His Own Standards | The Firsts | Dr. Omar Suleiman

Opening

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. There is no right or wrong except for the wrongdoers, and there is no retribution for the righteous.

O Allah, bless and send peace upon Your servant and Messenger Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, and upon his family and companions. Send peace and blessings upon them.

Introduction: The Three-Part Series on Abu Bakr

So as I said last week, I don't think that we could cover Abu Bakr in a single class, and I realized last week that it wouldn't do justice to cover him even in two. And so we're gonna actually break up Abu Bakr's life, radiyallahu ta'ala anhu, into three. But three, again, as they relate to this concept of the firsts, as they relate to this concept of al-awail, those that precede everyone in good.

Now if you remember, the first class that we did where we set out those categories of people in the firsts, you know, what would make someone a first, right? Abu Bakr marks all of those different boxes, radiyallahu ta'ala anhu, right? He's the ultimate trendsetter. He's the ultimate stranger. He's the ultimate forerunner. Abu Bakr, radiyallahu anhu, has no competition in basically anything that he does.

Ali's Description of Abu Bakr

And the best description of him is the description of Ali ibn Abu Talib, radiyallahu anhu. Ali said about Abu Bakr, radiyallahu anhu:

"Abu Bakr was the first to every good."

The Structure of This Series

And so what we're gonna do is, this week we're gonna talk about Abu Bakr elevated in his pursuit of good. Elevated in his unbeatable pursuit of good, his own inspiration, the standards that he sets. Meaning what Abu Bakr teaches us about goal setting. What Abu Bakr teaches us about having an elevated standard for yourself.

Next week we're gonna talk about, radiyallahu anhu, and we'll conclude with, and by the way, my flight back to Dallas lands an hour and 15 minutes before Isha next week, so hopefully we'll have class. But next week we'll talk about Abu Bakr, radiyallahu anhu, and the status that he had with the Prophet, salallahu alayhi wa sallam, meaning why Abu Bakr is irreplaceable.

So if you want to think of it this way, today we'll talk about an elevated standard, next week we'll talk about an elevated status. What makes him so irreplaceable in the sight of the Prophet, salallahu alayhi wa sallam, and why his rank as the ultimate first is so unquestioned, why it is so solidified in our thought.

The Title As-Siddiq (The Truthful One)

So Abu Bakr, radiyallahu anhu, his nickname is As-Siddiq, the truthful one. And there's a story behind that title of As-Siddiq, the truthful one. As we said, he resembles Ibrahim, alayhi salam, the Prophet Abraham, in a beautiful way. In his story of the interaction with the idols, in his commitment, he resembles Ibrahim, alayhi salam. But what makes him As-Siddiq, the Siddiq of this Ummah, the truthful one of this Ummah.

The Quranic Definition of Siddiqoon

So first and foremost, Allah says in the Quran:

"From among the believers are men who have been true to their covenant with Allah; and some of them have completed their vow (to the extreme), and some of them still wait: but they have never changed [their determination] in the least." (Quran 33:23)

Allah says:

"Do the people think that they will be left to say, 'We believe' and they will not be tested?" (Quran 29:2)

The Three Qualities of As-Siddiq

A Siddiq is someone who recognizes the truth, who commits themselves to the truth, and who never wanes in regards to the truth. So the three things:

1. Recognition of the Truth: The ability to recognize truth. And there's a direct connection between our thought, our intellect, and the purity of our hearts. When the heart is soiled, even if you're a smart person, the ability to recognize clarity is lost as well. When the heart is pure, then your ability to recognize also becomes pure.
2. Commitment to the Truth: They commit themselves to that truth.
3. Consistency in Truth: They don't wane. Meaning their resolve remains in regards to that truth.

The Rank of As-Siddiqoon

There's something very interesting about this category of people. They are a category between the prophets and the martyrs. The prophets are the highest category of people. The shuhada, the martyrs, typically get recognized as the second highest category. But the Siddiq are actually higher than the martyrs.

Proof from the Hadith of Mount Uhud

There's the hadith of the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa sallam, where the Prophet was with Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthman, and they were on Mount Uhud. And Uhud shook. And the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa sallam kneeled down and he tapped Uhud, and he said:

"Be firm, O Uhud. You have upon you a prophet, a Siddiq, and two martyrs." (Bukhari)

The Prophet salallahu alayhi wa sallam basically told Umar and Uthman that day that you're going to be martyred, later on in life, which is exactly what would come to pass. Abu Bakr was the only one of the Khulafa who was not martyred.

Actions are by Intentions

In the first hadith of most collections:

"Actions are but by intentions." (Bukhari)

The scholars say that the Siddiq already achieves the reward of the Shaheed and everything else, because the Siddiq, if the situation presented itself where they would have to put their life on the line for the truth, they would not hesitate.

The Story Behind the Title As-Siddiq

The Night Journey (Al-Isra' wa Al-Mi'raj)

There's a very beautiful narration from Abu Hurairah radiyallahu anhu because it surrounds the example or it surrounds the incident of al-Isra' wa al-Mi'raj. When the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa sallam took the night journey when Allah took him from Mecca to Jerusalem when he led the Prophets in prayer and Allah showed him what he showed him of the heavens and beyond.

The Prophet salallahu alayhi wa sallam says, I said to Jibreel alayhi wa sallam, as we were on our way back from the journey, I said to Jibreel alayhi wa sallam, my people will not believe me. He says, Jibreel alayhi wa sallam said to me:

"Abu Bakr will believe you and he is the truthful one."

The People's Reaction and Abu Bakr's Response

So what happens? The Prophet salallahu alayhi wa sallam gets back from the night of al-Isra' wa al-Mi'raj. He tells, this is still Meccan era, this is not Medina yet. The Prophet salallahu alayhi wa sallam says to his people that last night Allah took me from Mecca to Jerusalem and He showed me of the heavens what He showed me and brought me back in one night.

Abu Jahl said, wait, what? Abu Jahl said, would you say that if I go call everybody else? The Prophet salallahu alayhi wa sallam said, yes. Abu Jahl goes and gathers all the people, he says, come look at this fool, listen to him, say what you just said to me.

Before the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa sallam got to Abu Bakr to tell him what happened, who does Abu Bakr hear from first? He hears from these people. They go to Abu Bakr as a delegation, they say, have you heard what your companion is claiming? He said, no, what? They said he's claiming that Allah took him in one night from Mecca to Bayt al-Maqdis to Jerusalem and back. Abu Bakr radiyallahu anhu said:

"Did he say that?"

They said yes. Then he said:

"If that's what he said, he's telling the truth."

And they told Abu Bakr, are you serious? Like really? You know, even this? Abu Bakr radiyallahu anhu said, listen:

"I believe him with something far greater than that. I believe him when he says that he is receiving revelations from the heavens."

The Revelation of Surah Rum

The Context

Also, you're still in Mecca. Allah reveals Surah Rum:

"Alif, Lam, Meem. The Romans have been defeated in the nearest land. But they, after their defeat, will overcome within a few years." (Quran 30:1-4)

What was this referring to? The Romans were Christians. The Persians were Zoroastrians. The Muslims identified with the Christians. Quraish identified with the Zoroastrians. The Persians, the Persian Empire at the time, was defeating the Roman Empire right and left.

Abu Bakr's Confidence in the Prophecy

So when this was revealed, Abu Bakr radiyallahu anhu was so happy, he went to a group of the mushrikeen, he went to a group of the polytheists, and he said that don't be too happy, because in just a few years, the Romans will defeat the Persians.

Ubayy ibn Khalaf says, you wanna bet? Abu Bakr said, sure. He said, how much? He said, 10 camels. Abu Bakr said, you've got a deal.

Now, pause. Is betting halal? Betting is not halal. This is still before the prohibition of gambling. That's number one. Number two, is it really a gamble, if it's divine revelation? No. This is clear divine revelation.

So Abu Bakr radiyallahu anhu, showing his confidence in the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa sallam, says, fine, 10 camels. Now, when Abu Bakr talked to the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa sallam, three years passes by. Remember, Allah gave a window. Three to nine years. Three years passes, and the Persians have crushed the Romans even further.

So Ubayy ibn Khalaf mocks Abu Bakr. He says, how's that bet looking? Abu Bakr said, great, you wanna increase it? He said, yeah, sure. He said, how much? He said, a hundred camels. Deal. A hundred camels is an entire fortune.

The Fulfillment

So guess what happens? They make hijrah. They migrate. And the year of Badr, the year of the battle of Badr, which is the next year, the Romans defeat the Persians after eight years suddenly. Come back and defeat the Persians. The Muslims defeat Quraysh in Badr, the same year. So it was a double meaning that Allah would give victory.

And Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala mentions:

"And that day the believers will rejoice in the victory of Allah. He gives victory to whom He wills, and He is the Exalted in Might, the Merciful." (Quran 30:4-5)

When did Abu Bakr get his 100 camels now? Ubayy ibn Khalaf was the man who would spit at the face of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم - salallahu alayhi wa sallam) and who swore to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم - salallahu alayhi wa sallam), I will kill you. And the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم - salallahu alayhi wa sallam) responded and said, rather I will kill you.

Ubayy ibn Khalaf is the only man that was ever killed at the hand of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم - salallahu alayhi wa sallam). When the battle of Uhud, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم - salallahu alayhi wa sallam) saw Ubayy charging at him and he picked up a spear and he threw it from far away and it just nicked Ubayy on the side of his throat.

And Ubayy said:

"Muhammad killed me, Muhammad killed me."

And they told him, they said, what are you talking about? It's just a small wound. But subhanallah, from that small wound on the side of his neck, he passed away. And it was then that the share of a hundred camels was taken from the inheritance of Ubayy ibn Khalaf, given to Abu Bakr. Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه - radiyallahu ta'ala anhu), gave it all to charity.

Abu Bakr's Vision and the Prophet's Consultation

Aligned Vision

His vision always lined up with the vision of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم - salallahu alayhi wa sallam):

"The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم - salallahu alayhi wa sallam) is the most truthful person."

His vision always lined up with the vision of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم - salallahu alayhi wa sallam). When no one else could see things, the way that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم - salallahu alayhi wa sallam) could see them, Abu Bakr always saw them exactly the same way.

The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah Example

Like in the treaty of Hudaybiyyah, when the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم - salallahu alayhi wa sallam) signed the treaty, a peace treaty, and the Muslims did not want to sign a peace treaty with their oppressors. And that's when Umar ibn al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه - radiyallahu anhu), slipped. And Umar (رضي الله عنه - radiyallahu anhu), said to the other companions:

"Aren't we on the truth?"

And Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه - radiyallahu anhu), was the only one who saw things exactly the way the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم - salallahu alayhi wa sallam) saw things, which was that Islam would thrive in peace. And Abu Bakr talked about how things came back after years. But no one saw the vision of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم - salallahu alayhi wa sallam) except for me that day.

The Prophet's Death

Which is why even when the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم - salallahu alayhi wa sallam) died, no one loved him like Abu Bakr loved him. But when the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم - salallahu alayhi wa sallam) died, and they're in the masjid, and people are debilitated, they're losing it, they're broken. Who was hurting more than Abu Bakr? But Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه - radiyallahu anhu) had such clarity.

When Umar (رضي الله عنه - radiyallahu anhu) stands up emotionally and says, whoever says Muhammad is dead, that I'm gonna kill him, and you're a hypocrite, and it's just like when Moses went to his lord for 40 days, he's gonna come back. Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه - radiyallahu anhu) stood up in the masjid and just started to speak.

And people naturally listened to Abu Bakr, even though his voice was extremely soft. They naturally gathered around Abu Bakr, and that's when he said:

"Whoever used to worship Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم - salallahu alayhi wa sallam), then Muhammad is dead. Whoever used to worship Allah, then Allah is ever living, never dies."

And when he recited the ayah in the Qur'an:

"Muhammad is but a messenger. Other messengers have passed on before him. So if he dies or is killed, will you turn back on your heels?" (Quran 3:144)

Umar (رضي الله عنه - radiyallahu anhu) said, I collapsed. It was like I never heard that verse before.

The Elevated Standard: Setting His Own Standards

The Hadith of Multiple Good Deeds in One Day

Two hadiths in this regard. One of them, Abu Huraira (رضي الله عنه - radiyallahu anhu) said, I heard the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم - salallahu alayhi wa sallam) say, that whoever spends a pair of something in Allah's cause will be called from all of the gates of paradise.

Whoever used to excel in prayer would be called from the gate of prayer in paradise. Whoever is from the people of jihad, the people of righteous struggle will be called from that gate. Whoever is from the

people of sadaqa, of charity, will be called from that gate. Whoever is from the people of fasting will be called from that gate of fasting, which is baab al-rayyan.

The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم - salallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, and whoever is called from all of those gates will need nothing more, meaning you're set. Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه - radiyallahu ta'ala anhu), he heard that and he said:

"O Messenger of Allah, is there any person that can possibly be called from all of the gates?"

The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم - salallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:

"Yes, and I pray that you will be one of them, O Abu Bakr." (Bukhari)

The Practical Example

This hadith is narrated through multiple chains. It's authentic that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم - salallahu alayhi wa sallam) one day gathered his companions and said:

"Who amongst you woke up today fasting?"

So Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه - radiyallahu anhu), hesitantly he said, Bilal (رضي الله عنه - radiyallahu anhu) was also fasting that day. So then the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم - salallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:

"Who amongst you followed a janazah today?"

Abdullah ibn Amr followed a janazah that day. Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه - radiyallahu anhu) again followed a janazah that day.

"Who amongst you fed a poor person today?"

Abu Bakr looks around:

"O Messenger of Allah, I did."

And the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم - salallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:

"Who amongst you went to visit a sick person today?"

Abu Bakr looks around, "I did."

And the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم - salallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, No one combines all of these traits in one day, except that they will be able to enter Jannah from any direction that they want. (Muslim)

The Special Virtues of Abu Bakr

Exclusive vs. Shared Virtues

This is what's important to know about Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه - radiyallahu ta'ala anhu). He leads in every category that is shared with people. And then he has specific virtues only for him. Ibn al-Jawzi rahimahullah said, the fada'il of Abu Bakr are khasas, whereas the fada'il of the rest of the sahaba are mushtarak.

What does that mean? The virtues of Abu Bakr are specific. They're only for him. There are things that he gets that no one else gets. He has virtues that belong only to him, exclusive. Whereas the virtues of the other companions are shared.

The Quranic Revelation About His Family

The Qur'an speaks to him and about him. There's another ayah in surah al-Ahqaf, where Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala mentions:

"And We have enjoined upon man, to his parents, good treatment. His mother carried him with hardship and gave birth to him with hardship, and his gestation and weaning [period] is thirty months." (Quran 46:15)

Ibn Al-Jawzi says, Abu Bakr is the only person, the only person from the companions who every single member of his family embraced Islam and became a companion of the Prophet. His entire family, parents, his mother became Muslim early on, his father way later, after the conquest of Mecca, Abu Quhafa. But eventually he became Muslim. Spouse, kids, everyone became Muslim.

The Verse About Forgiveness (Mistah Incident)

And there is one more ayah about him, which is very profound, because it's an ayah to him, which is the verse about the slander of his daughter Aisha (رضي الله عنه - radiyallahu anha). One of the people that slandered Aisha was Mistah. Mistah was the cousin of Abu Bakr. He was broke, he had no money, he was in poverty. And Abu Bakr used to give him charity everyday.

So when Abu Bakr heard that Mistah was one of them, Abu Bakr said, Wallahi, I'll never give him charity again. And Allah revealed:

"But let them pardon and overlook. Would you not like that Allah should forgive you?" (Quran 24:22)

Abu Bakr heard that from the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم - salallahu alayhi wa sallam), his answer is beautiful. He didn't hesitate. He said:

"Yes, I'd love that. I'd love that. Yes, I'd love to be forgiven."

The same day that Mistah was to be last for slandering Aisha, he had his sadaqah from Abu Bakr, and Abu Bakr increased it.

Abu Bakr's Consistency After Becoming Khalifa

Continuing His Service

After becoming the khalifa of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم - salallahu alayhi wa sallam), Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه - radiyallahu ta'ala anhu), who was known to milk the goats of the widows and the orphans. Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه - radiyallahu ta'ala anhu) used to take care of al-armala, wal-miskeen, wal-yateem. He used to go milk the goats of the widows and the orphans.

And when he became khalifa, some of those elderly women, they worried that Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه - radiyallahu ta'ala anhu) would no longer milk their goats. And Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه - radiyallahu ta'ala anhu) never stopped. He didn't even take a day off from going, even after becoming khalifa, and he would go out there, and he would milk their goats, and he'd do these simple things.

And some people told Abu Bakr, you don't have to do this anymore. It's okay, this is beneath you now. You've got bigger things to worry about than milking these goats. And Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه - radiyallahu ta'ala anhu) said, I would hate that the title khalifa would change a good characteristic from me, such that it would be said that he used to do something good until he became the khalifa and he neglected that good.

The Competition with Umar

Umar's Challenge

Now I'm gonna start off with a hadith you've heard a million times if you've attended a fundraiser. Which is Umar bin al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه - radiyallahu anhu). Umar saying, I wanna compete with Abu Bakr.