Have you ‘made it’ in life? A recent study carried out a poll of what constitutes having ‘made it’. Results showed that flying business class, having both Netflix and Amazon Prime, trying out new Michelin star restaurants and having a cleaner were from the top signs of achieving this status.[1]
Surely, such short-sighted goals do not befit a person with true ambition and foresight. Below, I have compiled a list worthy of aspiring to with supporting ahādīth of a true legend and multidimensional all-rounder in success, Abū Bakr al-Siddīq (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu).
The Messenger of Allāh (sallAllāhu ʿalayhi wasallam) said:
اقْتَدُوا بِاللَّذَيْنِ مِنْ بَعْدِي أَبِي بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرَ
“Stick to the two after me, Abu Bakr and ‘Umar.”[2]
Summary
- Greeting People with Salām
- Striving to Excel in all Fields
- Morning and Evening Remembrance of Allāh
- Visiting the Sick
- Taking Care in Speech
- Playing Friendly with Children
- Making Effort to Preserve Bonds
- Supporting Your Friends
- Keeping Good Relations with Family
- Seeking Cure from the Qur’ān
- Acknowledging and Rectifying Mistakes
- Taking Care of Food Intake
- Optimism in the Face of Adversity
- Taking Initiative and Planning Ahead
- Being Merciful
- Bringing up Family with Trust
- Being a Good Friend
- Having Love for the Prophet (sallAllāhu ʿalayhi wasallam)
- Being Affectionate to Your Children
- Being Eager and Foremost in Good Deeds
- Staying Firm at Times of Calamities
- Investing in Allāh’s Cause
- Long Recital in Prayers
- Feeding the Poor
- Asking for Forgiveness When Wronging People
- Upholding the Obligatory Actions
- Entertaining Guests Generously
- Helping People in their Time of Need
- Being Affected by the Qur’ān
- Having Full Reliance Upon Allāh
- Ordering People Towards Good Actions
- Preferring Others Over Oneself
- Advising Fellow Believers
- Being Selfless in Giving
- Making Du’ā in Prayers
- Being Humble and Conscious of Falling into Pride
- Giving Preference to the Afterlife
- Being Trustworthy
- Allāh’s Guidance is More Beloved Than Your Own Desires
- Protecting Your Companions
1. Greeting People with Salām
‘Umar (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) reported:
عَنْ عُمَرَ قَالَ: كُنْتُ رَدِيفَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ، فَيَمُرُّ عَلَى الْقَوْمِ فَيَقُولُ: السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ، فَيَقُولُونَ: السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ، وَيَقُولُ: السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ، فَيَقُولُونَ: السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ، فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ: فَضَلَنَا النَّاسُ الْيَوْمَ بِزِيَادَةٍ كَثِيرَةٍ
“I was riding behind Abu Bakr and he passed by some people. He said, ‘Peace be upon you.’ They said, ‘Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allāh.’ He said, ‘Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allāh.’ They said, ‘Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allāh and His blessings.’ Abu Bakr said, ‘Today the people have been very much better than us.'” [3]
2. Striving to Excel in all Fields
Narrated by Abu Hurayrah (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu):
مَنْ أَنْفَقَ زَوْجَيْنِ مِنْ شَىْءٍ مِنَ الأَشْيَاءِ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ دُعِيَ مِنْ أَبْوَابِ ـ يَعْنِي الْجَنَّةَ ـ يَا عَبْدَ اللَّهِ هَذَا خَيْرٌ، فَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الصَّلاَةِ دُعِيَ مِنْ باب الصَّلاَةِ، وَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجِهَادِ دُعِيَ مِنْ باب الْجِهَادِ، وَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الصَّدَقَةِ دُعِيَ مِنْ باب الصَّدَقَةِ، وَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الصِّيَامِ دُعِيَ مِنْ باب الصِّيَامِ، وَبَابِ الرَّيَّانِ ”. فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ مَا عَلَى هَذَا الَّذِي يُدْعَى مِنْ تِلْكَ الأَبْوَابِ مِنْ ضَرُورَةٍ، وَقَالَ هَلْ يُدْعَى مِنْهَا كُلِّهَا أَحَدٌ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ ” نَعَمْ، وَأَرْجُو أَنْ تَكُونَ مِنْهُمْ يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ
“‘Anybody who spends a pair of something in Allāh’s Cause will be called from all the gates of Paradise, ‘O Allāh’s slave! This is good.’ He who is amongst those who pray will be called from the gate of the prayer (in Paradise) and he who is from the people of Jihād will be called from the gate of Jihād, and he who is from those who give in charity (i.e. Zakat) will be called from the gate of charity, and he who is amongst those who observe fasts will be called from the gate of fasting, the gate of Rayān.’ Abu Bakr said, ‘He who is called from all those gates will need nothing,’ He added, ‘Will anyone be called from all those gates, O Allāh’s Messenger?’ He said, ‘Yes, and I hope you will be among those, O Abu Bakr.’” [4]
3. Making Morning and Evening Remembrance of Allāh
Abu Rāshid al-Hubrāni (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) reported:
إِنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ سَأَلَ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ: يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ، عَلِّمْنِي مَا أَقُولُ إِذَا أَصْبَحْتُ وَإِذَا أَمْسَيْتُ، فَقَالَ: يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ، قُلِ: اللَّهُمَّ فَاطِرَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ، عَالِمَ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ، رَبَّ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَمَلِيكَهُ، أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ نَفْسِي، وَشَرِّ الشَّيْطَانِ وَشِرْكِهِ، وَأَنْ أَقْتَرِفَ عَلَى نَفْسِي سُوءًا أَوْ أَجُرُّهُ إِلَى مُسْلِمٍ
“Abu Bakr al-Siddīq asked the Prophet, may Allāh bless him and grant him peace, “Messenger of Allāh, teach me what to say in the mornings and evenings.” He said, “Abu Bakr, say, ‘O Allāh, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, the Knower of the Unseen and Visible. the Lord of all things and their Master. I seek refuge with You from the evil of shaytān and his encouragement to associate and that I bring evil on myself or bring it on another Muslim.'” [5]
4. Visiting the Sick
Narrated by Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu):
عَادَنِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ مَاشِيًا وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ وَأَنَا فِي بَنِي سَلِمَةَ
“The Messenger of Allāh came walking to visit me (when I was sick), as did Abu Bakr, when I was with Banu Salimah.” [6]
5. Taking Care in Speech
The father of Zayd b. Aslam (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) reported:
دَخَلَ عَلَى أَبِي بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقِ وَهُوَ يَجْبِذُ لِسَانَهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ عُمَرُ مَهْ غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَكَ . فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ إِنَّ هَذَا أَوْرَدَنِي الْمَوَارِدَ
“Umar ibn al-Khattāb came upon Abu Bakr al-Siddīq pulling his tongue. Umar said to him, ‘Stop, may Allāh forgive you!’ Abu Bakr replied, ‘This has brought me to dangerous places.’” [7]
6. Playing Friendly with Children
Narrated by ‘Uqbah b. al-Hārith (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu):
صَلَّى أَبُو بَكْرٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ الْعَصْرَ، ثُمَّ خَرَجَ يَمْشِي فَرَأَى الْحَسَنَ يَلْعَبُ مَعَ الصِّبْيَانِ، فَحَمَلَهُ عَلَى عَاتِقِهِ وَقَالَ بِأَبِي شَبِيهٌ بِالنَّبِيِّ لاَ شَبِيهٌ بِعَلِيٍّ. وَعَلِيٌّ يَضْحَكُ
“(Once) Abu Bakr offered the `Asr prayer and then went out walking and saw al-Hasan (the son of ‘Ali) playing with the boys. He lifted him on to his shoulders and said, ‘Let my parents be sacrificed for your sake! (You) resemble the Prophet and not `Ali’, while `Ali was smiling.” [8]
7. Making Effort to Preserve Bonds
Anas (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) reported:
أَبُو بَكْرٍ رضى الله عنه بَعْدَ وَفَاةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم لِعُمَرَ انْطَلِقْ بِنَا إِلَى أُمِّ أَيْمَنَ نَزُورُهَا كَمَا كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَزُورُهَا
“After the death of Allāh’s Messenger Abu Bakr said to ‘Umar: ‘Let us visit Umm Ayman as Allāh’s Messenger used to visit her.’” [9]
8. Supporting Your Friends
Narrated by Abu Bakr (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu):
كُنْتُ مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي الْغَارِ فَرَفَعْتُ رَأْسِي، فَإِذَا أَنَا بِأَقْدَامِ الْقَوْمِ، فَقُلْتُ يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ، لَوْ أَنَّ بَعْضَهُمْ طَأْطَأَ بَصَرَهُ رَآنَا. قَالَ “ اسْكُتْ يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ، اثْنَانِ اللَّهُ ثَالِثُهُمَا
“I was with the Prophet (sallAllāhu ʿalayhi wasallam) in the Cave. When I raised my head, I saw the feet of the people. I said, “O Allāh’s Messenger! If some of them should look down, they will see us.” The Prophet said, “O Abu Bakr, be quiet! (For we are) two and Allāh is the Third of us.” [10]
9. Keeping Good Relations with Family
Narrated by Ā’isha (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanha):
فَلَمَّا ابْتُلِيَ الْمُسْلِمُونُ خَرَجَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ مُهَاجِرًا نَحْوَ أَرْضِ الْحَبَشَةِ، حَتَّى بَلَغَ بَرْكَ الْغِمَادِ لَقِيَهُ ابْنُ الدَّغِنَةِ وَهْوَ سَيِّدُ الْقَارَةِ. فَقَالَ أَيْنَ تُرِيدُ يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ أَخْرَجَنِي قَوْمِي، فَأُرِيدُ أَنْ أَسِيحَ فِي الأَرْضِ وَأَعْبُدَ رَبِّي. قَالَ ابْنُ الدَّغِنَةِ فَإِنَّ مِثْلَكَ يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ لاَ يَخْرُجُ وَلاَ يُخْرَجُ، إِنَّكَ تَكْسِبُ الْمَعْدُومَ، وَتَصِلُ الرَّحِمَ وَتَحْمِلُ الْكَلَّ، وَتَقْرِي الضَّيْفَ، وَتُعِينُ عَلَى نَوَائِبِ الْحَقِّ، فَأَنَا لَكَ جَارٌ، ارْجِعْ وَاعْبُدْ رَبَّكَ بِبَلَدِكَ
“When the Muslims were put to test (i.e. troubled by the pagans), Abu Bakr set out migrating to the land of Abyssinia, and when he reached Bark-al-Ghimād, Ibn al-Daghina, the chief of the tribe of Qāra, met him and said, “O Abu Bakr! Where are you going?” Abu Bakr replied, ‘My people have turned me out (of my land), so I want to wander on the earth and worship my Lord.’ Ibn al-Daghina said, ‘O Abu Bakr! A man like you should not leave his homeland, nor should he be driven out, because you help the destitute, earn their livings, and you keep good relations with your kith and kin, help the weak and poor, entertain guests generously, and help the calamity-stricken persons. Therefore I am your protector. Go back and worship your Lord in your land.’” [11]
10. Seeking Cure from the Qur’ān
Amra bint ‘Abd ar-Rahmān related:
أَنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقَ، دَخَلَ عَلَى عَائِشَةَ وَهِيَ تَشْتَكِي وَيَهُودِيَّةٌ تَرْقِيهَا فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ ارْقِيهَا بِكِتَابِ اللَّهِ
“Abu Bakr al-Siddīq visited Ā’isha while she had a [health] complaint and a Jewish woman was making ruqya for her. Abu Bakr said, ‘Do it (ruqya) with the Book of Allāh.’” [12]
11. Acknowledging and Rectifying Mistakes
Ā’isha (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanha) reported:
أَنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ لَعَنَ بَعْضَ رَقِيقِهِ، فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم: يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ، اللَّعَّانِينَ وَالصِّدِّيقِينَ؟ كَلاَّ وَرَبِّ الْكَعْبَةِ، مَرَّتَيْنِ أَوْ ثَلاَثًا، فَأَعْتَقَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ يَوْمَئِذٍ بَعْضَ رَقِيقِهِ، ثُمَّ جَاءَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ: لا أَعُودُ
“Abu Bakr cursed one of his captives and the Prophet, may Allāh bless him and grant him peace, said, ‘Abu Bakr! The cursers and the true! No, by the Lord of the Ka’ba,’ and he repeated that two or three times. That very same day Abu Bakr freed one of his captives. The Prophet, may Allāh bless him and grant him peace, came and said, ‘Do not do that again (i.e. curse someone).’” [13]
12. Taking Care of Food Intake
Narrated by Ā’isha (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanha):
كَانَ لأَبِي بَكْرٍ غُلاَمٌ يُخْرِجُ لَهُ الْخَرَاجَ، وَكَانَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ يَأْكُلُ مِنْ خَرَاجِهِ، فَجَاءَ يَوْمًا بِشَىْءٍ فَأَكَلَ مِنْهُ أَبُو بَكْرٍ فَقَالَ لَهُ الْغُلاَمُ تَدْرِي مَا هَذَا فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَمَا هُوَ قَالَ كُنْتُ تَكَهَّنْتُ لإِنْسَانٍ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ وَمَا أُحْسِنُ الْكِهَانَةَ، إِلاَّ أَنِّي خَدَعْتُهُ، فَلَقِيَنِي فَأَعْطَانِي بِذَلِكَ، فَهَذَا الَّذِي أَكَلْتَ مِنْهُ. فَأَدْخَلَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ يَدَهُ فَقَاءَ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ فِي بَطْنِهِ
“Abu Bakr had a servant who used to give him some of his earnings. Abu Bakr used to eat from it. One day he brought something and Abu Bakr ate from it. The servant said to him, ‘Do you know what this is?’ Abu Bakr then enquired, ‘What is it?’ The servant said, ‘Once, in the pre-Islamic period of ignorance I foretold somebody’s future though I did not know this knowledge of foretelling, but I cheated him, and when he met me, he gave me something for that service, and that is what you have eaten from.’ Then Abu Bakr put his hand in his mouth and vomited whatever was present in his stomach.” [14]
13. Optimism in the Face of Adversity
‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) reported regarding right before the Battle of Badr:
فَاسْتَقْبَلَ نَبِيُّ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم الْقِبْلَةَ ثُمَّ مَدَّ يَدَيْهِ فَجَعَلَ يَهْتِفُ بِرَبِّهِ ” اللَّهُمَّ أَنْجِزْ لِي مَا وَعَدْتَنِي اللَّهُمَّ آتِ مَا وَعَدْتَنِي اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ تَهْلِكْ هَذِهِ الْعِصَابَةُ مِنْ أَهْلِ الإِسْلاَمِ لاَ تُعْبَدْ فِي الأَرْضِ ” . فَمَازَالَ يَهْتِفُ بِرَبِّهِ مَادًّا يَدَيْهِ مُسْتَقْبِلَ الْقِبْلَةِ حَتَّى سَقَطَ رِدَاؤُهُ عَنْ مَنْكِبَيْهِ فَأَتَاهُ أَبُو بَكْرٍ فَأَخَذَ رِدَاءَهُ فَأَلْقَاهُ عَلَى مَنْكِبَيْهِ ثُمَّ الْتَزَمَهُ مِنْ وَرَائِهِ . وَقَالَ يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ كَذَاكَ مُنَاشَدَتُكَ رَبَّكَ فَإِنَّهُ سَيُنْجِزُ لَكَ مَا وَعَدَكَ
“The Prophet (sallAllāhu ʿalayhi wasallam) turned (his face) towards the Qibla. Then he stretched his hands and began his supplication to his Lord: ‘O Allāh, accomplish for me what Thou hast promised to me. O Allāh, bring about what Thou hast promised to me. O Allāh, if this small band of Muslims is destroyed. Thou will not be worshipped on this earth.’ He continued his supplication to his Lord, stretching his hands, facing the Qibla, until his mantle slipped down from his shoulders. So, Abu Bakr came to him, picked up his mantle and put it on his shoulders. Then he embraced him from behind and said: ‘Prophet of Allāh, this prayer of yours to your Lord will suffice you, and He will fulfil for you what He has promised you.’” [15]
14. Taking Initiative and Planning Ahead
Narrated by Ā’isha (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanha):
هَاجَرَ إِلَى الْحَبَشَةِ نَاسٌ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ، وَتَجَهَّزَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ مُهَاجِرًا، فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ” عَلَى رِسْلِكَ، فَإِنِّي أَرْجُو أَنْ يُؤْذَنَ لِي ”. فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ أَوَ تَرْجُوهُ بِأَبِي أَنْتَ قَالَ ” نَعَمْ ”. فَحَبَسَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ نَفْسَهُ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم لِصُحْبَتِهِ، وَعَلَفَ رَاحِلَتَيْنِ كَانَتَا عِنْدَهُ وَرَقَ السَّمُرِ أَرْبَعَةَ أَشْهُرٍ
“Some Muslim men emigrated to Abyssinia whereupon Abu Bakr also prepared himself for the emigration, but the Prophet said (to him), ‘Wait, for I hope that Allāh will allow me also to emigrate.’ Abu Bakr said, ‘Let my father and mother be sacrificed for you. Do you hope that (emigration)?’ The Prophet said, ‘Yes.’ So Abu Bakr waited to accompany the Prophet and fed two she-camels he had on the leaves of al-Samur tree regularly for four months.” [16]
15. Being Merciful
Narrated by Abu Barzah al-Aslami (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu):
أَغْلَظَ رَجُلٌ لأَبِي بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقِ فَقُلْتُ أَقْتُلُهُ فَانْتَهَرَنِي وَقَالَ لَيْسَ هَذَا لأَحَدٍ بَعْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم
“A man spoke harshly to Abu Bakr As-Siddiq, and I said: ‘Shall I kill him?’ He told me off, and said: ‘That is not for anyone after the Messenger of Allāh.'” [17]
16. Upbringing Family with Trust
Narrated by Ā’isha (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanha):
فَجَاءَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَاسْتَأْذَنَ، فَأَذِنَ لَهُ فَدَخَلَ، فَقَالَ حِينَ دَخَلَ لأَبِي بَكْرٍ ” أَخْرِجْ مَنْ عِنْدَكَ ”. قَالَ إِنَّمَا هُمْ أَهْلُكَ
“The Prophet (sallAllāhu ʿalayhi wasallam) came and asked permission to enter, and he was allowed. He entered and said to Abu Bakr, ‘Let those who are with you, go out.” Abu Bakr replied, ‘they are your family (i.e. there are no strangers).’” [18]
17. Being a Good Friend
The Messenger of Allāh (sallAllāhu ʿalayhi wasallam) said:
يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ لاَ تَبْكِ، إِنَّ أَمَنَّ النَّاسِ عَلَىَّ فِي صُحْبَتِهِ وَمَالِهِ أَبُو بَكْرٍ، وَلَوْ كُنْتُ مُتَّخِذًا خَلِيلاً مِنْ أُمَّتِي لاَتَّخَذْتُ أَبَا بَكْرٍ
“O Abu Bakr! Don’t weep. The Prophet added: Abu Bakr has favoured me much with his property and company. If I were to take a Khalīl (the closest type of friend) from mankind I would certainly have taken Abu Bakr.” [19]
18. Having Love for the Prophet
Abu Bakr (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) reported:
قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقُ لَمَّا خَرَجْنَا مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم مِنْ مَكَّةَ إِلَى الْمَدِينَةِ مَرَرْنَا بِرَاعٍ وَقَدْ عَطِشَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ فَحَلَبْتُ لَهُ كُثْبَةً مِنْ لَبَنٍ فَأَتَيْتُهُ بِهَا فَشَرِبَ حَتَّى رَضِيتُ
“As we went along with Allāh’s Messenger from Makkah to Medīna, we passed by a shepherd and Allāh’s Messenger was feeling thirsty. He (Abu Bakr al-Siddīq) said: ‘I milked for him a small quantity of milk (from his goat) and brought it to him (the Prophet), and he drank it until I was very happy.’” [20]
19. Being Affectionate to Your Children
Al-Barā (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) said:
فَإِذَا عَائِشَةُ ابْنَتُهُ مُضْطَجِعَةٌ، قَدْ أَصَابَتْهَا حُمَّى، فَرَأَيْتُ أَبَاهَا فَقَبَّلَ خَدَّهَا، وَقَالَ كَيْفَ أَنْتِ يَا بُنَيَّةُ
“I saw his daughter Ā’isha lying in a bed because of heavy fever and I saw her father Abu Bakr kissing her cheek and saying, ‘How are you, little daughter?” [21]
20. Being Eager and Foremost in Good Deeds
Abu Hurayrah (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) reported that one day in the morning the Prophet (sallAllāhu ʿalayhi wasallam) asked his companions:
“ مَنْ أَصْبَحَ مِنْكُمُ الْيَوْمَ صَائِمًا ” . قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ رضى الله عنه أَنَا . قَالَ ” فَمَنْ تَبِعَ مِنْكُمُ الْيَوْمَ جَنَازَةً ” . قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ رضى الله عنه أَنَا . قَالَ ” فَمَنْ أَطْعَمَ مِنْكُمُ الْيَوْمَ مِسْكِينًا ” . قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ رضى الله عنه أَنَا . قَالَ ” فَمَنْ عَادَ مِنْكُمُ الْيَوْمَ مَرِيضًا ” . قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ رضى الله عنه أَنَا . فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ” مَا اجْتَمَعْنَ فِي امْرِئٍ إِلاَّ دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ ”
“Who fasted among you today? Abu Bakr replied: I did. He (the Prophet) said: Who among you followed a funeral today? Abu Bakr replied: I did. He (the Prophet again) said: Who among you fed a poor man today? Abu Bakr replied: I did. He (again) said: Who among you visited a sick person today? Abu Bakr said: I did. Upon this the Messenger of Allāh (sallAllāhu ʿalayhi wasallam) said: Anyone in whom (these good deeds) are combined will certainly enter paradise.” [22]
21. Staying Firm at Times of Calamities
Ā’isha (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanha) narrated the moments straight after the death of the Prophet (sallAllāhu ʿalayhi wasallam), the greatest calamity to hit the Ummah and indeed the world:
أَنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ خَرَجَ وَعُمَرُ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ يُكَلِّمُ النَّاسَ. فَقَالَ اجْلِسْ. فَأَبَى. فَقَالَ اجْلِسْ. فَأَبَى، فَتَشَهَّدَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ فَمَالَ إِلَيْهِ النَّاسُ، وَتَرَكُوا عُمَرَ فَقَالَ أَمَّا بَعْدُ، فَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْكُمْ يَعْبُدُ مُحَمَّدًا صلى الله عليه وسلم فَإِنَّ مُحَمَّدًا صلى الله عليه وسلم قَدْ مَاتَ، وَمَنْ كَانَ يَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ حَىٌّ لاَ يَمُوتُ
“Abu Bakr came out and `Umar, was addressing the people, and Abu Bakr told him to sit down but `Umar refused. Abu Bakr again told him to sit down but `Umar again refused. Then Abu Bakr recited the Tashah-hud (i.e. none has the right to be worshipped but Allāh and Muhammad is Allāh’s Messenger) and the people attended to Abu Bakr and left `Umar. Abu Bakr said, “Whoever amongst you worshipped Muhammad, then (know that) Muhammad is dead, but whoever worshipped Allāh, Allāh is ever-living and will never die.” [23]
22. Investing in Allāh’s Cause
Narrated by Qais (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) after Abu Bakr bought slaves that were being persecuted:
أَنَّ بِلاَلاً، قَالَ لأَبِي بَكْرٍ إِنْ كُنْتَ إِنَّمَا اشْتَرَيْتَنِي لِنَفْسِكَ فَأَمْسِكْنِي، وَإِنْ كُنْتَ إِنَّمَا اشْتَرَيْتَنِي لِلَّهِ فَدَعْنِي وَعَمَلَ اللَّهِ
“Bilāl said to Abu Bakr, ‘If you have bought me for yourself then keep me (for yourself), but if you have bought me for Allāh’s Sake, then leave me for Allāh’s Work.’” [24]
23. Long Recital in Prayers
The father of Hishām b. ‘Urwa (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) said:
أَنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقَ، صَلَّى الصُّبْحَ فَقَرَأَ فِيهَا سُورَةَ الْبَقَرَةِ فِي الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ كِلْتَيْهِمَا
“Once Abu Bakr al-Siddīq prayed the morning prayer and recited Sūrat al-Baqara in the two rak’as.” [25]
24. Feeding the Poor
Narrated by Abu Uthmān (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu):
أَنَّ أَصْحَابَ الصُّفَّةِ، كَانُوا أُنَاسًا فُقَرَاءَ، وَأَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ “ مَنْ كَانَ عِنْدَهُ طَعَامُ اثْنَيْنِ فَلْيَذْهَبْ بِثَالِثٍ، وَإِنْ أَرْبَعٌ فَخَامِسٌ أَوْ سَادِسٌ ”. وَأَنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ جَاءَ بِثَلاَثَةٍ فَانْطَلَقَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِعَشَرَةٍ
“The Suffa Companions were poor people and the Prophet (sallAllāhu ʿalayhi wasallam) said, ‘Whoever has food for two persons should take a third one from them (Suffa companions). And whosoever has food for four persons he should take one or two from them’. Abu Bakr took three men and the Prophet (sallAllāhu ʿalayhi wasallam) took ten of them.” [26]
25. Asking for Forgiveness When Wronging People
Ā’idh bin ‘Amr (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) reported:
فَقَالُوا وَاللَّهِ مَا أَخَذَتْ سُيُوفُ اللَّهِ مِنْ عُنُقِ عَدُوِّ اللَّهِ مَأْخَذَهَا . قَالَ فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ أَتَقُولُونَ هَذَا لِشَيْخِ قُرَيْشٍ وَسَيِّدِهِمْ فَأَتَى النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَأَخْبَرَهُ فَقَالَ “ يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ لَعَلَّكَ أَغْضَبْتَهُمْ لَئِنْ كُنْتَ أَغْضَبْتَهُمْ لَقَدْ أَغْضَبْتَ رَبَّكَ ” . فَأَتَاهُمْ أَبُو بَكْرٍ فَقَالَ يَا إِخْوَتَاهْ أَغْضَبْتُكُمْ قَالُوا لاَ يَغْفِرُ اللَّهُ لَكَ يَا أُخَىَّ
“Some people said: ‘By Allāh, the swords of Allāh did not reach the necks of the enemy of Allāh as it should have.’ Thereupon Abu Bakr said: ‘Do you say this to the old man of the Quraysh and their chief?’ Then he came to Allāh’s Apostle and informed him of this. Thereupon he (the Prophet) said: ‘Abu Bakr, you have perhaps annoyed them and if you annoyed them you have in fact annoyed your Lord.’ So Abu Bakr came to them and said: ‘O my brothers, (apologies that) I have annoyed you.’ They said: ‘No, our brother, may Allāh forgive you.’” [27]
26. Upholding the Obligatory Actions
Narrated by Abu Hurayrah (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) during the time some tribes reneged on their pledge to the Prophet (sallAllāhu ʿalayhi wasallam) after his death and refused to pay Zakāh:
قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ وَاللَّهِ لَوْ مَنَعُونِي عَنَاقًا كَانُوا يُؤَدُّونَهَا إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم لَقَاتَلْتُهُمْ عَلَى مَنْعِهَا. قَالَ عُمَرُ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ فَمَا هُوَ إِلاَّ أَنْ رَأَيْتُ أَنَّ اللَّهَ شَرَحَ صَدْرَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ بِالْقِتَالِ، فَعَرَفْتُ أَنَّهُ الْحَقُّ
“Abu Bakr said, ‘By Allāh! If they withhold even a she-kid which they used to pay during the lifetime of Allāh’s Messenger, I will fight with them for it.’ `Umar said, “It was nothing but Allāh Who opened Abu Bakr’s chest towards the decision to fight, and I came to know that his decision was right.” [28]
27. Entertaining Guests Generously
Narrated by Ā’isha (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanha) when Abu Bakr was about to emigrate to Abyssinia:
قَالَ ابْنُ الدَّغِنَةِ فَإِنَّ مِثْلَكَ يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ لاَ يَخْرُجُ وَلاَ يُخْرَجُ، إِنَّكَ تَكْسِبُ الْمَعْدُومَ، وَتَصِلُ الرَّحِمَ وَتَحْمِلُ الْكَلَّ، وَتَقْرِي الضَّيْفَ، وَتُعِينُ عَلَى نَوَائِبِ الْحَقِّ، فَأَنَا لَكَ جَارٌ، ارْجِعْ وَاعْبُدْ رَبَّكَ بِبَلَدِكَ
“Ibn al-Daghina said, ‘O Abu Bakr! A man like you should not leave his homeland, nor should he be driven out, because you help the destitute, earn their livings, and you keep good relations with your kith and kin, help the weak and poor, entertain guests generously, and help the calamity-stricken persons. Therefore, I am your protector. Go back and worship your Lord in your town.’” 11
28. Helping People in their Time of Need
Narrated by Ā’isha (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanha) when Abu Bakr was about to emigrate to Abyssinia:
قَالَ ابْنُ الدَّغِنَةِ فَإِنَّ مِثْلَكَ يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ لاَ يَخْرُجُ وَلاَ يُخْرَجُ، إِنَّكَ تَكْسِبُ الْمَعْدُومَ، وَتَصِلُ الرَّحِمَ وَتَحْمِلُ الْكَلَّ، وَتَقْرِي الضَّيْفَ، وَتُعِينُ عَلَى نَوَائِبِ الْحَقِّ، فَأَنَا لَكَ جَارٌ، ارْجِعْ وَاعْبُدْ رَبَّكَ بِبَلَدِكَ
“Ibn al-Daghina said, ‘O Abu Bakr! A man like you should not leave his home-land, nor should he be driven out, because you help the destitute, earn their livings, and you keep good relations with your Kith and kin, help the weak and poor, entertain guests generously, and help the calamity-stricken persons. Therefore, I am your protector. Go back and worship your Lord in your town.’” 11
29. Being Affected by the Qur’ān
Narrated by Ā’isha (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanha):
وَكَانَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ رَجُلاً بَكَّاءً، لاَ يَمْلِكُ عَيْنَيْهِ إِذَا قَرَأَ الْقُرْآنَ
“Abu Bakr was a man who used to weep too much, and he could not help weeping upon reciting the Qur’ān.” 11
30. Having Full Reliance Upon Allāh
Narrated by Ā’isha (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanha):
فَأَتَى ابْنُ الدَّغِنَةِ إِلَى أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَقَالَ قَدْ عَلِمْتَ الَّذِي عَاقَدْتُ لَكَ عَلَيْهِ، فَإِمَّا أَنْ تَقْتَصِرَ عَلَى ذَلِكَ، وَإِمَّا أَنْ تَرْجِعَ إِلَىَّ ذِمَّتِي، فَإِنِّي لاَ أُحِبُّ أَنْ تَسْمَعَ الْعَرَبُ أَنِّي أُخْفِرْتُ فِي رَجُلٍ عَقَدْتُ لَهُ. فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ فَإِنِّي أَرُدُّ إِلَيْكَ جِوَارَكَ وَأَرْضَى بِجِوَارِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ
“Ibn al-Daghina went to Abu Bakr and said, ‘(O Abu Bakr!) You know well what contract I have made on your behalf; now, you are either to abide by it, or else release me from my obligation of protecting you, because I do not want the Arabs to hear that my people have dishonoured a contract I have made on behalf of another man.’ Abu Bakr replied, ‘I release you from your pact to protect me, and am pleased with the protection from Allāh.’” 11
31. Ordering People Towards Good Actions
Narrated by Zayd b. Thābit (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu), whom Abu Bakr commissioned to lead in the compilation of the Qur’ān:
زَيْدٌ قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَإِنَّكَ رَجُلٌ شَابٌّ عَاقِلٌ لاَ نَتَّهِمُكَ، قَدْ كُنْتَ تَكْتُبُ الْوَحْىَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَتَتَبَّعِ الْقُرْآنَ فَاجْمَعْهُ
“Abu Bakr said to me (Zayd), ‘You are a wise young man and we do not have any suspicion about you, and you used to write the Divine Inspiration for Allāh’s Messenger (sallAllāhu ʿalayhi wasallam). So you should search for the fragmentary scripts of the Qur’ān and collect it (in one Book).’” [29]
32. Preferring Others Over Oneself
Yahya b. Sa’īd (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) related:
بَلَغَنِي أَنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقَ، قَالَ لِعَائِشَةَ وَهُوَ مَرِيضٌ فِي كَمْ كُفِّنَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَتْ فِي ثَلاَثَةِ أَثْوَابٍ بِيضٍ سَحُولِيَّةٍ . فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ خُذُوا هَذَا الثَّوْبَ – لِثَوْبٍ عَلَيْهِ قَدْ أَصَابَهُ مِشْقٌ أَوْ زَعْفَرَانٌ – فَاغْسِلُوهُ ثُمَّ كَفِّنُونِي فِيهِ مَعَ ثَوْبَيْنِ آخَرَيْنِ . فَقَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ وَمَا هَذَا فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ الْحَىُّ أَحْوَجُ إِلَى الْجَدِيدِ مِنَ الْمَيِّتِ وَإِنَّمَا هَذَا لِلْمُهْلَةِ
“When Abu Bakr al-Siddīq was ill he asked Ā’isha, ‘How many shrouds did the Messenger of Allāh (sallAllāhu ʿalayhi wasallam) have?’ And she replied, ‘Three pure white cotton garments.’ Abu Bakr said, ‘Take this garment (a garment he was wearing on which red clay or saffron had fallen) and wash it. Then shroud me in it with two other garments.’ Ā’isha said, ‘Why’s that?’, and Abu Bakr replied, ‘The living have greater need of the new than the dead. This is only for the body fluids that come out as the body decays.’”[30]
33. Advising Fellow Believers
Yahya b. Sā’id (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) related Abu Bakr’s advice to the Muslim armies:
انَّكَ سَتَجِدُ قَوْمًا زَعَمُوا أَنَّهُمْ حَبَّسُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ لِلَّهِ فَذَرْهُمْ وَمَا زَعَمُوا أَنَّهُمْ حَبَّسُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ لَهُ وَسَتَجِدُ قَوْمًا فَحَصُوا عَنْ أَوْسَاطِ رُءُوسِهِمْ مِنَ الشَّعَرِ فَاضْرِبْ مَا فَحَصُوا عَنْهُ بِالسَّيْفِ وَإِنِّي مُوصِيكَ بِعَشْرٍ لاَ تَقْتُلَنَّ امْرَأَةً وَلاَ صَبِيًّا وَلاَ كَبِيرًا هَرِمًا وَلاَ تَقْطَعَنَّ شَجَرًا مُثْمِرًا وَلاَ تُخَرِّبَنَّ عَامِرًا وَلاَ تَعْقِرَنَّ شَاةً وَلاَ بَعِيرًا إِلاَّ لِمَأْكُلَةٍ وَلاَ تَحْرِقَنَّ نَحْلاً وَلاَ تُفَرِّقَنَّهُ وَلاَ تَغْلُلْ وَلاَ تَجْبُنْ
“You will find a people who claim to have totally given themselves to Allāh. Leave them to what they claim to have given themselves. You will find a people who have shaved the middle of their heads, strike what they have shaved with the sword. I advise you ten things: Do not kill women or children or an aged, infirm person. Do not cut down fruit-bearing trees. Do not destroy an inhabited place. Do not slaughter sheep or camels except for food. Do not burn bees and do not scatter them. Do not steal from the booty, and do not be cowardly.’” [31]
34. Being Selfless in Giving
Narrated by Zayd b. Aslam (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu):
سَمِعْتُ عُمَرَ بْنَ الْخَطَّابِ، يَقُولُ أَمَرَنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنْ نَتَصَدَّقَ فَوَافَقَ ذَلِكَ عِنْدِي مَالاً فَقُلْتُ الْيَوْمَ أَسْبِقُ أَبَا بَكْرٍ إِنْ سَبَقْتُهُ يَوْمًا قَالَ فَجِئْتُ بِنِصْفِ مَالِي فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ” مَا أَبْقَيْتَ لأَهْلِكَ ” . قُلْتُ مِثْلَهُ وَأَتَى أَبُو بَكْرٍ بِكُلِّ مَا عِنْدَهُ فَقَالَ ” يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ مَا أَبْقَيْتَ لأَهْلِكَ ” . قَالَ أَبْقَيْتُ لَهُمُ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ قُلْتُ وَاللَّهِ لاَ أَسْبِقُهُ إِلَى شَيْءٍ أَبَدًا
“I heard ‘Umar b. al-Khattāb saying: ‘We were ordered by the Messenger of Allāh to give in charity, and that coincided with a time in which I had some wealth, so I said, today I will beat Abu Bakr, if ever I beat him.’ So I came with half of my wealth, and the Messenger of Allāh said: ‘What did you leave for your family?’ I said: ‘The like of it.’ And Abu Bakr came with everything he had, so he said: ‘O Abu Bakr! What did you leave for your family?’ He said: ‘I left Allāh and His Messenger for them.’ I said: ‘[By Allāh] I will never be able to beat him!'” [32]
35. Making Du’ā in Prayers
Abu Bakr (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) reported:
عَنْ أَبِي بَكْرٍ، أَنَّهُ قَالَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَلِّمْنِي دُعَاءً أَدْعُو بِهِ فِي صَلاَتِي قَالَ “ قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِي ظُلْمًا كَبِيرًا – وَقَالَ قُتَيْبَةُ كَثِيرًا – وَلاَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ فَاغْفِرْ لِي مَغْفِرَةً مِنْ عِنْدِكَ وَارْحَمْنِي إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
“He said to Allāh’s Messenger: ‘Teach me a supplication which I should recite in my prayer.’ Thereupon he (the Prophet) said: ‘Recite: O Allāh, I have done great wrong to myself.’ According to Qutaiba the words were: and there is none to forgive the sins but Thou only, say: ‘Grant me pardon from Thyself, have mercy upon me for Thou art much Forgiving and Compassionate.’” [33]
36. Being Humble and Conscious of Falling into Pride
‘Abdullāh b. ‘Umar (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) narrated the hadīth:
مَنْ جَرَّ ثَوْبَهُ خُيَلاَءَ لَمْ يَنْظُرِ اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ”. فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ إِنَّ أَحَدَ شِقَّىْ ثَوْبِي يَسْتَرْخِي إِلاَّ أَنْ أَتَعَاهَدَ ذَلِكَ مِنْهُ. فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ” إِنَّكَ لَسْتَ تَصْنَعُ ذَلِكَ خُيَلاَءَ ” قَالَ مُوسَى فَقُلْتُ لِسَالِمٍ أَذَكَرَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ مَنْ جَرَّ إِزَارَهُ قَالَ لَمْ أَسْمَعْهُ ذَكَرَ إِلاَّ ثَوْبَهُ
“Allāh will not look on the Day of Judgment at him who drags his robe (behind him) out of pride. Abu Bakr said ‘One side of my robe slacks down unless I keep pulling it up.’ Allāh’s Messenger said, ‘But you do not do that out of pride.’” [34]
37. Giving Preference to the Afterlife
Narrated by Jābir (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu):
بَيْنَمَا النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَخْطُبُ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ قَائِمًا إِذْ قَدِمَتْ عِيرٌ الْمَدِينَةَ فَابْتَدَرَهَا أَصْحَابُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم حَتَّى لَمْ يَبْقَ مِنْهُمْ إِلاَّ اثْنَا عَشَرَ رَجُلاً فِيهِمْ أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرُ وَنَزَلَتِ الآيَةُ : ( وإِذَا رَأَوْا تِجَارَةً أَوْ لَهْوًا انْفَضُّوا إِلَيْهَا وَتَرَكُوكَ قَائِمًا )
“The Prophet (sallAllāhu ʿalayhi wasallam) was standing and delivering a Khutbah for us on one Friday, when a (trade) caravan arrived in al-Madīnah. So the Companions of the Messenger of Allāh rushed off until only twelve men remained. Among them were Abu Bakr and ‘Umar. And this āyah was revealed: ‘And when they see some merchandise or some amusement, they disperse headlong to it.’” [35]
38. Being Trustworthy
‘Abdullāh b. ‘Umar narrated from his father Umar b. al-Khattāb (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhuma), that after the husband of his daughter Hafsa had died and he offered her hand in marriage to Abu Bakr:
فَلَقِيَنِي أَبُو بَكْرٍ فَقَالَ لَعَلَّكَ وَجَدْتَ عَلَىَّ حِينَ عَرَضْتَ عَلَىَّ حَفْصَةَ فَلَمْ أَرْجِعْ إِلَيْكَ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ. قَالَ فَإِنَّهُ لَمْ يَمْنَعْنِي أَنْ أَرْجِعَ إِلَيْكَ فِيمَا عَرَضْتَ إِلاَّ أَنِّي قَدْ عَلِمْتُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَدْ ذَكَرَهَا، فَلَمْ أَكُنْ لأُفْشِيَ سِرَّ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم، وَلَوْ تَرَكَهَا لَقَبِلْتُهَا
“Abu Bakr met me later on and said, ‘Perhaps you were angry with me when you offered me Hafsa for marriage and I gave no reply to you?’ I said, ‘Yes.’ Abu Bakr said, ‘Nothing prevented me from accepting your offer except that I learnt that Allāh’s Messenger had referred to the issue of Hafsa and I did not want to disclose the secret of Allāh’s Messenger, but had he (i.e. the Prophet) given her up I would surely have accepted her.’” [36]
39. Allāh’s Guidance is More Beloved Than Your Own Desires
Narrated by al-Zuhri (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu):
أَبُو بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقُ ـ وَكَانَ يُنْفِقُ عَلَى مِسْطَحٍ لِقَرَابَتِهِ مِنْهُ ـ وَاللَّهِ لاَ أُنْفِقُ عَلَى مِسْطَحٍ شَيْئًا أَبَدًا، بَعْدَ الَّذِي قَالَ لِعَائِشَةَ. فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ {وَلاَ يَأْتَلِ أُولُو الْفَضْلِ مِنْكُمْ وَالسَّعَةِ أَنْ يُؤْتُوا أُولِي الْقُرْبَى} الآيَةَ. قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ بَلَى وَاللَّهِ إِنِّي لأُحِبُّ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللَّهُ لِي. فَرَجَعَ إِلَى مِسْطَحٍ النَّفَقَةَ الَّتِي كَانَ يُنْفِقُ عَلَيْهِ وَقَالَ وَاللَّهِ لاَ أَنْزِعُهَا عَنْهُ أَبَدًا
“Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, who used to provide for Mistah some financial aid because of his relation to him, said, ‘By Allāh, I will never give anything (in charity) to Mistah, after what he has said about Ā’isha.’ Then Allāh revealed: ‘And let not those among you who are good and are wealthy swear not to give (any sort of help) to their kinsmen…’ (24.22) On that, Abu Bakr said, ‘Yes, by Allāh, I like that Allāh should forgive me.’ and then resumed giving Mistah the aid he used to give him and said, ‘By Allāh! I will never withhold it from him.’” [37]
40. Protecting Your Companion
Narrated by ‘Urwa b. al-Zubair (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu):
سَأَلْتُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ عَمْرٍو عَنْ أَشَدِّ، مَا صَنَعَ الْمُشْرِكُونَ بِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ رَأَيْتُ عُقْبَةَ بْنَ أَبِي مُعَيْطٍ جَاءَ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَهُوَ يُصَلِّي، فَوَضَعَ رِدَاءَهُ فِي عُنُقِهِ فَخَنَقَهُ بِهِ خَنْقًا شَدِيدًا، فَجَاءَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ حَتَّى دَفَعَهُ عَنْهُ فَقَالَ أَتَقْتُلُونَ رَجُلاً أَنْ يَقُولَ رَبِّيَ اللَّهُ. وَقَدْ جَاءَكُمْ بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ
“I asked `Abdullāh b. `Amr, ‘What was the worst thing the pagans did to Allāh’s Messenger?’ He said, ‘I saw `Uqba b. Abi Mu’ayt coming to the Prophet while he was praying. `Uqba put his sheet round the Prophet’s neck and squeezed it very severely. Abu Bakr came and pulled `Uqba away from the Prophet and said, ‘Do you intend to kill a man just because he says: ‘My Lord is Allāh, and he has brought forth to you the Evident Signs from your Lord?’” [38]
Of course, we can never claim to have ‘made it’, but we can use these points towards following a siddīqiyyah model of Abu Bakr al-Siddīq, inshā’Allāh. May Allāh grant us all ultimate success.
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Source: www.islam21c.com
Notes:
[1] https://www.metro.news/40-signs-that-youve-made-it/1340390/
[2] Narrated by Tirmidhī, on the authority of Hudhaifah (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu). Jāmi’ al-Tirmidhī, Book 49, Hadīth 4023
[3] Narrated by Bukhāri, on the authority of ‘Umar (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu). Al-Ādab al-Mufrad, Book 42, Hadīth 23. Graded sahīh by al-Albāni
[4] Narrated by Bukhāri, on the authority of Abu Hurrairah (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu). Sahīh al-Bukhāri, Book 62 Hadīth 18
[5] Narrated by Bukhāri, on the authority of Abu Rāshid al-Hubrāni (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu). Al-Ādab al-Mufrad, Book 1, Hadīth 1204. Graded sahīh by al-Albāni
[6] Narrated by ibn Mājah, on the authority of Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu). Sunan ibn Mājah, Book 6, Hadīth 1503
[7] Narrated by Mālik, on the authority of Zayd ibn Aslam from this father (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu). Muwatta Mālik, Book 56, Hadīth 1825
[8] Narrated by Bukhāri, on the authority of ‘Uqbah ibn al-Hārith (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu). Sahīh al-Bukhāri, Book 61 Hadīth 51
[9] Narrated by Muslim, on the authority of Anas (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu). Sahīh Muslim, Book 44, Hadīth 148
[10] Narrated by Bukhāri, on the authority of Abu Bakr (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu). Sahīh al-Bukhāri, Book 63, Hadīth 148
[11] Narrated by Bukhāri, on the authority of Ā’isha (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu). Sahīh al-Bukhāri, Book 63 Hadīth 131
[12] Narrated by Yahya from Mālik, on the authority of Amra Bint ‘Abd ar-Rahmān (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu). Muwatta Mālik, Book 50, Hadīth 1724
[13] Narrated by Bukhāri, on the authority of Ā’isha (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu). Al- Ādab al-Mufrad, Book 15, Hadīth 11. Graded sahīh by al-Albāni
[14] Narrated by Bukhāri, on the authority of Ā’isha (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu). Sahīh al-Bukhāri, Book 63, Hadīth 68
[15] Narrated by Muslim, on the authority of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu). Sahīh Muslim, Book 32, Hadīth 69
[16] Narrated by Bukhāri, on the authority of Ā’isha (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu). Sahīh al-Bukhāri, Book 77, Hadīth 25
[17] Narrated by Nasā’i, on the authority of Abu Barzah al-Aslami (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu). Sunan an-Nasā’i, Book 37, Hadīth 106
[18] Narrated by Bukhāri, on the authority of Ā’isha (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu). Sahīh al-Bukhāri, Book 77, Hadīth 25
[19] Narrated by Bukhāri, on the authority of Abu Sa’īd al-Khudri (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu). Sahīh al-Bukhāriį, Book 8, Hadīth 114
[20] Narrated by Muslim, on the authority of Abu Bakr (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu). Sahīh Muslim, Book 36, Hadīth 112
[21] Narrated by Bukhāri, on the authority of al-Barā (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu). Sahīh al-Bukhāri, Book 63, Hadīth 144
[22] Narrated by Muslim, on the authority of Abu Hurrairah (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu). Sahīh Muslim, Book 12, Hadīth 111
[23] Narrated by Bukhāri, on the authority of Ā’isha (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu). Sahīh al-Bukhāri, Book 23, Hadīth 5
[24] Narrated by Bukhāri, on the authority of Qais (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu). Sahīh al-Bukhāri, Book 62, Hadīth 102
[25] Narrated by Yahya from Mālik, on the authority of Hishām ibn Urwa from this father (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu). Muwatta Mālik, Book 3, Hadīth 182
[26] Narrated by Bukhāri, on the authority of Abu Uthmān (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu). Sahīh al-Bukhāri, Book 9, Hadīth 78
[27] Narrated by Muslim, on the authority of Ā’idh bin ‘Amr (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu). Sahīh Muslim, Book 44, Hadīth 242
[28] Narrated by Bukhāri, on the authority of Abu Hurrairah (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu). Sahīh al-Bukhāri, Book 24 Hadīth 60
[29] Narrated by Bukhāri, on the authority of Zayd ibn Thābit (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu). Sahīh al-Bukhāri, Book 93 Hadīth 53
[30] Narrated by Mālik, on the authority of Yahya ibn Sa’īd (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu). Muwatta Mālik, Book 16, Hadīth 528
[31] Narrated from Mālik, on the authority of Yahya ibn Sā’id (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu). Muwatta Mālik, Book 21, Hadīth 971
[32] Narrated by Tirmidhī, on the authority of Zayd ibn Aslam (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu). Jāmi’ al-Tirmidhī, Book 49, Hadīth 4038
[33] Narrated by Muslim, on the authority of Abu Bakr (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu). Sahīh Muslim, Book 48, Hadīth 63
[34] Narrated by Bukhāri, on the authority of ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu). Sahīh al-Bukhāri, Book 62, Hadīth 17
[35] Narrated by Tirmidhī, on the authority of Jābir (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu). Jāmi’ al-Tirmidhī, Book 47, Hadīth 3626
[36] Narrated by Bukhāri, on the authority of ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu). Sahīh al-Bukhāri, Book 64, Hadīth 56
[37] Narrated by Bukhāri, on the authority of Az-Zuhri (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu). Sahīh al-Bukhāri, Book 83, Hadīth 56
[38] Narrated by Bukhāri, on the authority of ‘Urwa bin Az-Zubair (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu). Sahīh al-Bukhāri, Book 62, Hadīth 28
