Excellence of Siddique e Akbar, Mention by Ali al Murtada رَضِیَ اللہُ عَنْہُمَا

Excellence of Siddique al-Akbar رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ, mentioned by Ali Al-Murtada رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ

Muhammad Talhah Khan Attari

(3rd year Jamia-tul-Madina, Faizan-e-Khulafa-e-Rashideen, Rawalpindi)

The love between the first caliph, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddique رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ and the fourth caliph, Sayyiduna Ali al-Murtada رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ was unique. These two individuals had established a deep relationship of love and brotherhood, the extent of which can be seen through the sayings of Sayyiduna Ali al-Murtada رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ, for on several occasions, he expressed the rank of Sayyiduna Siddiq al-Akbar رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ. Sayyiduna Ali رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ stated regarding the bravery of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddique رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ: ‘On the day of Badr, we built a canopy for the protection and service of the Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. None of us advanced forward except Abu Bakr Siddique رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ who stood by the Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم with a naked sword. No disbeliever came close to the Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and this is why, from amongst us, the bravest is Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddique رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ.’^[1]

On one occasion, he stated regarding the passion of faith of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddique رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ: ‘I swear by Allah, one moment from the blessed life of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddique رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ is better than thousands of moments from the life of the believer from the family of Fir’awn. That person (the believer from the family of Fir’awn) would hide his faith and this pure being would publicly announce his faith.’^[2]

Maula Ali کرم اللہ تعالی وجہہ الکریم would consider Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddique رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ superior in matters of the religion and the world, and he states: ‘The Beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم ordered Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddique رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ to lead the people in prayer. I was present at the time and I did not have any illness. In worldly matters, we were content with the selection of that individual whom the Noble Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم expressed his approval for in religious matters related to us.’^[3]

When it came to the matter of the caliphate, Imam Haakim رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْـه narrates that Sayyiduna Ali Murtada, the lion of Allah رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ, said: ‘Listen attentively! It is Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddique رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ whom we consider worthy for the caliphate.’^[4]

Sayyiduna Muhammad bin Hanafiya رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ states that I asked my father (i.e. Sayyiduna Ali al-Murtada رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ): ‘Who is the most superior from amongst the people after the Noble Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم? He replied: Abu Bakr رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ.’^[5]

It is evident that you will only praise someone if you have love for them in your heart, and these pure individuals are protected from lying. Thus, we can never contemplate that they can gave false praises. Therefore, in light of all of these sayings of Sayyiduna Ali al-Murtada رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ, it is clear that Sayyiduna Ali رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ had boundless love for Sayyiduna Siddique al-Akbar رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ, which spurred him to extol the virtues of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddique رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ.

May Allah Almighty grant us true love for these two noble individuals, and for all of the companions and the Ahl al-Bait.

اٰمِیْن بِجَاہِ النَّبِیِّ الْاَمِیْن صَلَّی اللہ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلہٖ وَسَلَّم