Impeccable Character of Siddeeq-e-Akbar رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ

The respected name of the first caliph of Islam the leader of the believers, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddeeq رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهُ is ‘Abdullah’. His Kunyah [patronymic appellation] is ‘Abu Bakr’ and his titles are ‘Siddeeq’ and ‘Ateeq’. The meaning of ‘Siddeeq’ is ‘One who speaks the truth very much’. He رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهُ was referred to by this title even in the period of ignorance because he always spoke the truth. The meaning of ‘Ateeq’ is ‘freed’. Giving him glad tidings, the Holy Nabi صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said: اَنْتَ عَتِیْقُ اللہِ مِنَ النَّارِ i.e.

‘(O Abu Bakr!). By the grace of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ! You are the one who is freed from the fire of Hell.’

This is why he رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهُ received this title.

(Tareekh-ul-Khulafa, pp. 22-23)

He رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهُ is ‘Qurayshi’, and seven generations above, his genealogical tree joins with that of the Rasool of Rahmah صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم.

محبوب رب عرش ہے اس سبز قبہ میں

پہلو میں جلوہ گاہ عتیق و عمر کی ہے

Under this Green Dome, the Beloved Rasool Hazrat Muhammad صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم is resting and next to him, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddeeq and Sayyiduna ‘Umar Farooq رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ تَـعَـالٰی عَـنْـهُمَا are resting.

Sayyiduna Abdullah Bin Abbas رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ تَـعَـالٰی عَـنْـهُمَا has narrated that the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘One such person will enter Paradise that all the dwellers of Paradise will address him and exclaim: Marhaba! Marhaba! Come here! Come here!’ Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddeeq رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ asked in astonishment: ‘Ya Rasoolallah صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم! Will we be able to see him as well?’ The Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم responded: ‘O Abu Bakr! You are that very dweller of Paradise.

(Sahih Ibn Habbaan, pp. 7, Hadees 6828)

Sayyiduna Siddeeq-e-Akbar رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ is such fortunate Sahabi that after the blessed Ambiya عَـلَـيْـهِمُ الـصَّلٰوةُ وَالـسَّـلَام he is the most superior person amongst all. Moreover, the Beloved and Blessed Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم gave him the glad tidings of Paradise.

He رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ has also enjoyed the privilege of being with the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم throughout his life. His greatness can be observed by the fact that even in the skies, Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ mentioned his name with the name of the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم as narrated by Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ that the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has said:

‘I was made to visit the skies. Thus, every sky I visited, I found my name written over there and after my [name], [I] also found the name of Abu Bakr written.’

(Majma’-uz-Zawaid, vol. 9, pp. 19, Hadees 14296)

Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ had blessed Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddeeq رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ with outstanding qualities and pious character. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddeeq رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ was blessed with benevolent enthusiasm. This was the very reason that he would show great affection and have mercy on those blessed Sahabah رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ تَـعَـالٰی عَـنْـهُم who were suffering oppression because of embracing Islam. For the Muslims who were treated cruelly, he رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ would not only have the feelings of sympathy in his heart but would also try his best to bring salvation to them. He would not be reluctant even to spend money for this great cause.

One day, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ passed by the place where Sayyiduna Bilal Habashi رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ was being treated cruelly. Rebuking Umayyah Bin Khalf, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ said: ‘Don’t you fear Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ while treating this poor and helpless person cruelly? Till when will you continue this [cruel treatment]?’ He said: ‘Abu Bakr! You are the one who has changed his mind-set (i.e. converted him to Islam), so [now] you bring him freedom as well.’ Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ responded: ‘I have a slave healthier and sturdier than Bilal; give me Bilal in exchange for that slave.’ He replied: ‘I agree!’ Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ bought Sayyiduna Bilal رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ in exchange for the slave and some money, and freed him. Thereafter, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ freed six more such slaves.

(Ar-Riyad-un-Nadarah, vol. 1, pp. 134)

It is also narrated that Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddeeq رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ bought Sayyiduna Bilal Habashi رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ for 5 Awqiyah (about 32 Tola of) gold, so the seller said: ‘Abu Bakr! If you had stuck to only one Awqiyah of gold, I would have sold him even in that amount.’ Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ responded: ‘If you had demanded 100 Awqiyah of gold, I would have paid even that amount and would have bought Bilal definitely.’

(Ar-Riyad-un-Nadarah, vol. 1, pp. 134)

At the time of Ghazwah Tabook, the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم commanded the wealthy people of his Ummah to make financial donations generously in the way of Allah so that arrangements could be made for Muslim warriors’ food and conveyance. Obeying this commandment of Rasoolullah صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم the blessed personality who brought his entire wealth in the court of the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم to give it in the way of Allah, was Sahabi, son of a Sahabi, great devotee of Rasool, Sayyiduna Siddeeq-e-Akbar رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ. He placed all his wealth and family possessions at the feet of the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. Seeing this great sacrifice made by his closest companion, the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم inquired: ‘Have you left anything for your family as well?’ Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ humbly replied with utmost respect: اَبْقَيْتُ لَهُمُ اللهَ وَرَسُوْلَهُ i.e. I have left Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ and His Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم for them.’

(Subul-ul-Huda, vol. 5, pp. 435)

His statement can simply be interpreted as: Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ and the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم are sufficient for me and my family.

پروانے کو چراغ تو بلبل کو پھول بس

صدیق کے لیے ہے خدا اور رسول بس

Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ is that fortunate Sahabi who was the first amongst men to embrace Islam. Sayyiduna Ibn Ishaaq رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ has stated: Just after embracing Islam, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ openly declared it and also started Da’wah as he was extremely soft-hearted amongst his nation, he رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ would help people in difficulties, and every one would like him. He was well aware of the lineages of Quraysh and their every good and evil. He رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ was also a famous trader having good manners. All the prominent personalities and common people of Quraysh would visit him due to his excellence in knowledge and business techniques, and his pious company. They would benefit from his blessed company. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ would individually make efforts to reform them by explaining them the excellence of Islam and would invite them to embrace Islam. In this way, he رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ also successfully persuaded many people who visited him to embrace Islam by individually making efforts to reform them.

(Ar-Riyad-un-Nadarah, vol. 1, pp. 91)

Another beautiful trait of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddeeq رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ was that he was extremely soft-hearted for the neighbours. Sayyiduna ‘Abdur Rahman Bin Qaasim رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ narrated on the authority of his father: Once when Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddeeq رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ passed by Sayyiduna ‘Abdur Rahman Bin Abu Bakr رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ he was scolding his neighbour. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddeeq رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ said to him: ‘Do not quarrel with your neighbour, because he will live here but the people who will see your quarrel will go away from here.’

(Kanz-ul-‘Ummal, vol. 5, pp. 79, Hadees 25599)

The entire life of Siddeeq-e-Akbar رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ was fully devoted for the worship of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ. He رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ led an Allah-fearing life. He رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ having deep devotion towards the Beloved and Blessed Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم spent his entire life following the Sunnah of the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. Sayyiduna Siddeeq-e-Akbar رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ was an embodiment of piety and asceticism. Despite being a caliph and ruler of Muslims, Sayyiduna Siddeeq-e-Akbar رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ led a very simple and life full of contentment and patience instead of luxury and pleasure. Therefore, we should also follow the footstep of Sayyiduna Siddeeq-e-Akbar رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ and lead our lives carrying out good deeds as well as refrain ourselves from the sins and prevent others too.

May Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ grant us privilege to act upon them!

اٰمِيۡن بِجَاهِ النَّبِيِّ الۡاَمِيۡن صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيۡهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّم

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلٰى مُحَمَّد