Abu Bakr (573 - 634)

The first caliph of Islam and the elder companion, Abu Bakr Abdallah ibn Uthman Abi Quhafa was born about 573 and passed away on August 23, 634. Through his daughter Aisha, he was also the father-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Muslims refer to him by the honorific name al-Siddiq. One of the very first people to convert to Islam, Abu Bakr generously donated his riches to advance Muhammad’s mission. He was one of Muhammad’s closest friends and accompanied him on his journey to Medina as well as to several of his fights, including the battles of Badr and Uhud. As the first Rashidun Caliph after Muhammad’s passing in 632, Abu Bakr took over as the head of the Muslim community. In order to consolidate and extend the power of the Muslim state throughout the entire Arabian Peninsula, Muhammad had to put an end to several uprisings known collectively as the Ridda Wars. Ahead of his death, he also oversaw the first forays into the neighbouring Sassanian and Byzantine empires, which eventually led to the Muslim conquest of Persia and the Levant. The only Rashidun caliph to pass away naturally was Abu Bakr, who had ruled for two years, two months, and fourteen days before succumbing to illness.

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About Abu Bakr

Abdullah ibn Abi Quhafa ibn Amir ibn Amr ibn Ka’b ibn Sa’d ibn Taym ibn Murrah ibn Ka’b ibn Lu’ayy ibn Ghalib ibn Fihr was the full name of Abu Bakr. The name Abd Allah implies “servant of Allah” in Arabic. Before converting to Islam, he was known by the name Ateeq, which means “saved one.” When Muhammad later referred to Abu Bakr as the “Ateeq,” he reiterated this appellation. After Muhammad trusted him in the Isra and Mi’raj incident while others did not, Muhammad referred to him as Al-Siddiq (the true), and Ali often affirmed that designation. The Quran purportedly refers to him as the “second of the two in the cave” in reference to the hijra, when Muhammad and he hid from the Meccan party sent after them in the cave in Jabal Thawr.

Early Life

The Banu Taym tribe of the Quraysh tribal confederacy’s Abu Bakr was born in Mecca somewhere in the year 573 CE to a wealthy household. His mother Salma bint Sakhar was awarded the laqab of Umm ul-Khair, while his father Uthman was given the kunya Abu Quhafa. Like most young Arabs of the time, he spent his early years living among the Bedouins known as Ahl-i-Ba’eer, or “people of the camel,” and was particularly fond of them. His affinity for camels earned him the nickname “Abu Bakr,” the father of the camel’s calf, in his early years of playing with goats and camel calves. Abu Bakr had a love of poetry and was literate, like other wealthy Meccan merchant families’ children. He used to participate in poetical symposia and go to the annual fair at Ukaz. He possessed an excellent recall and was well-versed in the political history, folklore, and genealogy of the Arab tribes. According to tradition, his father once took him to the Kaaba and requested him to offer prayers in front of the idols. Abu Bakr was left alone after his father left to take care of other matters. Abu Bakr addressed an idol, saying, “O my God, bestow on me beautiful clothes.” The idol didn’t change its attitude.

Then he said to a different idol, “God, please send me some delectable food. See how ravenous I am? “. The idol didn’t warm up. Young Abu Bakr’s patience was worn out by that. He held out a stone and said, “Here I am aiming a stone; if you are a god, protect yourself,” to an idol. As he exited the Kaaba, Abu Bakr threw the stone at the idol. Nevertheless, it was noted that Abu Bakr was a hanif who never worshipped idols before adopting Islam.

Appearance of Abu Bakr

According to the historian Al-Tabari, Aisha and her paternal nephew, Abd Allah ibn Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr, had the following conversation over Abu Bakr’s appearance:

She remarked, “I have not seen a man more like Abu Bakr than this one“, as she watched a man from among the Arabs go by while she was in her howdah. Please describe Abu Bakr, we asked her. She stated: “A slight, white man, thin-bearded and bowed. His waist wrapper would not hold but would fall down around his loins. He had a lean face, sunken eyes, a bulging forehead, and trembling knuckles“.

Al-Tabari continues by citing a different source and describing him as “white mixed with yellowness, of good build, slight, bowed, thin, tall like a male palm tree, hook-nosed, lean-faced, sunken-eyed, thin-shanked, and strong-thighed. He used to dye himself with henna and black dye“.

Death of Abu Bakr

Abu Bakr became ill on August 23rd, 634, and died shortly after. He became bedridden after running a high fever. He had a protracted sickness, and as his health declined, he began to believe that his time was running out. As Ali had also performed the ghusl for Muhammad, he sent for Ali after realising this and asked him to perform the ghusl for him. Although there was already debate regarding Ali’s lack of appointment, Abu Bakr felt that he should designate his successor in order to prevent the matter from causing disagreement among Muslims after his death. After consulting with certain friends, he chose Umar for this position. Due to Umar’s strong demeanour, some of them supported the nomination while others disapproved of it. As a result, Abu Bakr instructed Uthman ibn Affan to write down the following in his will:

“In the name of Most Merciful God. This is the last will and testament of Abu Bakr bin Abu Quhafa, when he is in the last hour of the world, and the first of the next; an hour in which the infidel must believe, the wicked be convinced of their evil ways, I nominate Umar ibn al Khattab as my successor. Therefore, hear to him and obey him. If he acts right, confirm his actions. My intentions are good, but I cannot see the future results. However, those who do ill shall render themselves liable to severe account hereafter. Fare you well. May you be ever attended by the Divine favor of blessing.”

He was laid to rest next to the grave of Muhammad, with Umar leading the funeral prayer.

Acceptance of Islam

Friends informed him upon his return from a business trip to Yemen that during his absence, Muhammad had proclaimed himself the messenger of God and a new faith. Muhammad ibn Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas is cited by the historian Al-Tabari in his Tarikh al-Tabari, who said:

“I asked my father whether Abu Bakr was the first of the Muslims. He said, ‘No, more than fifty people embraced Islam before Abu Bakr; but he was superior to us as a Muslim. And Umar ibn Khattab had embraced Islam after forty-five men and twenty-one women. As for the foremost one in the matter of Islam and faith, it was Ali ibn Abi Talib.”

Ali ibn Abi Talib, according to certain Sunnis and all Shi’a, was the second person after Muhammad’s wife Khadija to declare Muhammad to be the divine messenger. In his Al Bidaya Wal Nihayah, Ibn Kathir ignores this. He said Khadijah was the first female convert to Islam. As the first emancipated slave to convert to Islam, Zayd ibn Harithah. While Abu Bakr was the first free man to convert to Islam, Ali ibn Abi Talib was the first kid to do so because he had not even reached puberty at the time.

Later Life in Mecca

He divorced his wife Qutaylah bint Abd-al-Uzza because she refused to convert to Islam. Um Ruman, his other spouse, converted to Islam. With the exception of Abd al-Rahman, who Abu Bakr distanced himself from, all of his children embraced Islam. He converted many people to Islam as well. In addition to converting his close friends, he successfully converted many of his other friends by effectively presenting Islam to them. The acceptance of Abu Bakr turned out to be a turning point in Muhammad’s mission. In Mecca, slavery was widespread, and many slaves converted to Islam. In spite of objections, a regular free man who converted to Islam would be protected by his tribe. However, there was no such protection for slaves, and they frequently faced discrimination. Eight slaves (four men and four women) were bought by Abu Bakr out of compassion for the enslaved, and he later paid 40,000 dinars to free them.

Persecution of Muslims by the Meccans

Muslims kept their faith a secret for three years following the creation of Islam. According to Islamic tradition, God gave Muhammad the order to publicly invite people to Islam in 613. Abu Bakr gave the first speech in front of the public, urging people to pledge allegiance to Muhammad. The Quraysh tribe’s young men charged at Abu Bakr in a fit of rage and thrashed him till he passed out. After this event, Abu Bakr’s mother changed over to Islam. The Quraysh repeatedly persecuted Abu Bakr. Even though Abu Bakr’s clan would have stood up for his views, the Quraysh tribe as a whole would not.

Last Years in Mecca

The Quraysh imposed a boycott on the Banu Hashim in 617. Muhammad and his Banu Hashim allies were separated in a pass far from Mecca. The Banu Hashim had no social ties with anyone and was in an imprisoned state. Many Muslims migrated to Abyssinia prior to that (now Ethiopia). Distressed, Abu Bakr left for Yemen and from there travelled to Ethiopia. Outside of Mecca, he ran into a friend of his by the name of Ad-Dughna, who encouraged Abu Bakr to ask for his protection against the Quraysh. It was a comfort for Abu Bakr to return to Mecca, but shortly Ad-Dughna was compelled to give up his protection as a result of Quraysh pressure. Again, Abu Bakr was subject to persecution by the Quraysh. Both Khadija, Muhammad’s wife, and his uncle Abu Talib ibn Abd al-Muttalib passed away in 620. Aisha, the daughter of Abu Bakr, was engaged to Muhammad, but it was agreed that the wedding would take place later. Abu Bakr was the first to confirm Muhammad’s Isra and Mi’raj (Night Journey) in 620.

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Migration to Medina

Muhammad gave the order to move Muslims to Medina in 622 at the request of the local Muslims there. In batches, the migration got started. In charge of repaying any loans the Muslims had taken out, Ali was the last person to stay in Mecca. He is also known for sleeping in Muhammad’s bed when the Quraysh, commanded by Ikrima, tried to assassinate him while he slept. Muhammad was accompanied to Medina by Abu Bakr in the meantime. They chose to flee in the opposite direction, away from the route, and sought sanctuary in a cave in Jabal Thawr, about five miles south of Mecca, due to the threat posed by the Quraysh.

The Quraysh’s intentions and talks would be heard by Abd Allah ibn Abi Bakr, the son of Abu Bakr, who would then convey the information to the fugitives in the cave at night. Every day, Asma bint Abi Bakr, Abu Bakr’s daughter, brought them food. Every night, a herd of goats was brought to the cave’s opening by Aamir, Abu Bakr’s servant, so that they might be milked. The Quraysh dispatched search parties everywhere. One party approached the cave’s entrance but was unable to see them. This led to the revelation of Quranic verse 9:40. When interpreting this verse, Aisha, Abu Sa’id al-Khudri, and Abd Allah ibn Abbas claimed that Abu Bakr was the companion who stayed with Muhammad in the cave. Abu Bakr and Muhammad leave the cave after spending three days and three nights there and travel to Medina, stopping briefly at Quba, a Medina suburb.

Life in Medina

Muhammad made the decision to build a mosque in Medina. Abu Bakr selected a plot of land and paid the land’s purchase price. Al-Masjid al-Nabawi is the name of the mosque that the Muslims, including Abu Bakr, built there. As a brother in faith, Abu Bakr was matched with Khaarij ah bin Zaid Ansari, who was from Medina. Khaarijah and Abu Bakr had a very good friendship, which was further cemented when Abu Bakr wed Habiba, Khaarijah’s daughter. Abu Bakr also made a home in Sunh, a Medina suburb, where Khaarijah bin Zaid Ansari resided. Abu Bakr purchased a second home close to Muhammad’s after his family arrived in Medina. The majority of the refugees became ill upon arrival since the climate in Medina was humid in contrast to Mecca’s arid climate. Khaarijah and his family took care of Abu Bakr while he was sick for several days with a fever. Abu Bakr established the same cloth wholesale company in Medina as he had in Mecca. He established his new business at Sunh, from where the cloth was supplied to the Medina market. His company quickly prospered. Early in 623, after a straightforward marriage ceremony, Abu Bakr’s daughter Aisha, who was already married to Muhammad, was sent to Muhammad’s home, thus solidifying their relationship.

Military Campaigns Under Muhammad

Battle of Badr

As one of Muhammad’s tent guards, Abu Bakr took part in the Battle of Badr, the first conflict between Muslims and Quraysh of Mecca, in 624 but did not engage in combat. Ali allegedly asked his friends who they believed to be the bravest man after asking them about this. Everyone agreed that Ali was the most courageous man alive. Then Ali responded:

“No. Abu Bakr is the bravest of men. In the Battle of Badr we had prepared a pavillion for the prophet, but when we were asked to offer ourselves for the task of guarding it none came forward except Abu Bakr. With a drawn sword he took his stand by the side of Prophet of Allah and guarded him from the infidels by attacking those who dared to proceed in that direction. He was therefore the bravest of men.”

According to Sunni traditions, Muhammad’s cheeks were pierced by two discs from Abu Bakr’s shield after one such assault. When Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah asked Abu Bakr to allow him to handle the extraction of these discs, Abu Bakr lost his two incisors in the process. According to these tales, Abu Bakr and his other companions afterwards guided Muhammad to a secure location.

Battle of Uhud

He took part in the Battle of Uhud in 625, which resulted in the overwhelming defeat of the Muslims and his own injury. Before the combat had started, his son Abd al-Rahman, who was still a non-Muslim and was fighting for the Quraysh, stepped forward and issued a challenge to a duel. The challenge was accepted by Abu Bakr, but Muhammad dissuaded him. You were made a target for me, but I turned away from you and did not murder you, Abd al-Rahman remarked to his father later. However, if I had known that you were a target, I wouldn’t have shied away from you, Abu Bakr retorted. The Muslims were ambushed from behind by Khalid ibn al-cavalry Walid’s during the second phase of the conflict, turning a Muslim win into a Muslim defeat. Abu Bakr was among those who left the battlefield in haste. He was “the first to return,” nevertheless, in his own words.

Battle of the Trench

He took part in both the invasion of Banu Qurayza and the Battle of the Trench in 627. Muhammad split the ditch into a number of sectors during the Battle of the Trench, and a detachment was stationed to monitor each area. The leader of one of these contingents was Abu Bakr. The enemy attempted to cross the ditch frequently, but each attempt was repelled. A mosque, afterwards known as “Masjid-i-Siddiq,” was built to honour this occasion near the location where Abu Bakr had repelled the enemy’s charges.

Battle of Khaybar

At the Battle of Khaybar, Abu Bakr took part. There were eight fortifications in Khaybar, with Al-Qamus being the strongest and best protected. Muhammad sent Abu Bakr and some other fighters to try to seize it, but they failed. Umar was likewise sent by Muhammad with a force of warriors, but Umar too failed to overthrow Al-Qamus. Other Muslims also made an attempt to take the fort, but they failed as well. Finally, Muhammad dispatched Ali, who vanquished Marhab, the opposing leader.

Expedition of Tabuk

In 629, Muhammad responded to an appeal for reinforcements by sending ‘Amr ibn al-‘As and Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah to Zaat-ul-Sallasal. Al-army, Jarrah’s led by Abu Bakr and Umar, engaged the adversary and routed it. Abu Bakr was a soldier in the army that took Mecca in 630. His father Abu Quhafa converted to Islam before the capture of Mecca.

Battles of Hunayn and Ta’if

Approximately eleven miles northeast of Mecca, in the valley of Hunayn, the Muslim army was ambushed by local tribes’ archers in 630. The Muslim army’s advance guard was taken by surprise and panicked and withdrew. The men, horses, and camels all rammed into one another in an effort to find cover as there was a great deal of confusion. But Muhammad remained steadfast. Around him, including Abu Bakr, there were just nine remaining colleagues. Abbas, Muhammad’s uncle, commanded him to yell, “O Muslims, come to the Prophet of Allah,” at the top of his lungs. The Muslim troops heard the call, and they gathered next to Muhammad. Muhammad gave the order to charge the enemy once there was enough Muslims present.

The tribes were defeated in the ensuing hand-to-hand battle and fled to Autas. As he led the main army to Autas, Muhammad sent a force to protect the Hunayn pass. The tribes were unable to resist the Muslim assault during the battle of Autas. As the tribes saw no point in continuing to resist, they dispersed and went to Ta’if. Muhammad assigned Abu Bakr the responsibility of leading the assault on Ta’if. The tribes barricaded themselves within the fort and would not leave. The Muslims used catapults, but they had a little noticeable impact. The Muslims attempted to deploy a testudo formation, in which a group of warriors approached to light the gate on fire while being shielded by a cowhide cover. The testudo was rendered useless by the enemy’s hurled of hot iron fragments. After two weeks of the prolonged siege, the fort showed no signs of vulnerability. At the council of war, Muhammad met. According to Abu Bakr, the fort may come under increased siege, and God will begin preparations for its destruction. The suggestion was followed, and in February 630, Ta’if came under siege and the Muslim army was sent back to Mecca. The commander, Malik bin Auf, visited Mecca a few days later and converted to Islam.

Abu Bakr as Amir-ul-Hajj

Muhammad led a team of 300 Muslims that he dispatched from Medina in 631 AD to conduct the Hajj in accordance with the new Islamic guidelines. Abu Bakr served as the delegation’s commander. The ninth chapter of the Quran, Surah Tawbah, was revealed to Muhammad the day after Abu Bakr and his group left for the Hajj. It is said that after this revelation occurred, someone advised Muhammad to inform Abu Bakr about it. Only a guy from Muhammad’s own family, according to him, could announce the revelation. When the people gathered at Mina on the day of sacrifice, Muhammad called Ali and asked him to read a passage from Surah Tawbah to them. Ali rode Muhammad’s slit-eared camel forward and passed Abu Bakr. When Ali entered the group, Abu Bakr inquired as to whether he was there to deliver or give commands. Ali claimed that his sole purpose in being present was to speak to the populace on behalf of Muhammad and that he had not come to take the place of Abu Bakr as Amir-ul-Hajj. Ali read the proclamation on behalf of Muhammad during the Hajj ritual in Mecca, which was presided over by Abu Bakr. The proclamation’s primary ideas were as follows:

1. Non-Muslims were no longer to be permitted to visit the Kaaba or make the pilgrimage going forward.
2. Nobody should walk around the Kaaba unclothed.
3. Polytheism wasn’t acceptable. Any agreements the Muslims had with polytheists would be upheld for the time periods specified. A four-month grace period was offered in the absence of negotiations, after which the polytheists were not to be granted any quarter.

A new era had begun as of the day this declaration was issued, and Islam alone would now rule Arabia.

Expedition of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq

The Expedition of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq, which took place in Najd in July 628, was one of the military expeditions that Abu Bakr oversaw. In Nejd, Abu Bakr oversaw a sizable organisation at Muhammad’s command. Many people were slain and captured. The incident is mentioned in the Sunni Hadith collection Sunan Abu Dawud.

Expedition of Usama bin Zayd

Muhammad ordered an expedition into Syria in 632, in the final weeks of his life, to exact revenge on the Muslims for their loss in the Battle of Mu’tah a few years before. Usama ibn Zayd, whose father Zayd ibn Harithah, Muhammad’s former adopted son, had been murdered in the earlier fight, was in charge of the campaign. Usama’s nomination was contentious because he was barely twenty years old, untested, and inexperienced. This controversy increased when veterans like Abu Bakr, Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah, and Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas were given charge over him. Nevertheless, the expedition was sent, albeit shortly after leaving, word of Muhammad’s passing forced the army to turn around and return to Medina.

Death of Muhammad

The idea of the deep affection and trust that is supposed to have existed between Muhammad and Abu Bakr has been supported by a variety of stories about Muhammad’s final days. Muhammad once found himself unable to conduct prayers as he usually would as he was on the verge of death. He told Abu Bakr to step in for him, dismissing Aisha’s worries that her father was too sensitive emotionally for the job. Following Abu Bakr’s assumption of the role, Muhammad entered the prayer hall one morning during Fajr prayers. Abu Bakr made an effort to move aside and allow Muhammad to assume his rightful position and take the lead. However, Muhammad gave him the go-ahead to continue. Around this time, in a related incident, Muhammad stood up to address the crowd from the pulpit and declared, “God has given his servant the choice between this world and that which is with God and he has chosen the latter”. Assuming that Muhammad had a limited amount of time left, Abu Bakr retorted, “Nay, we and our children will be your ransom”. Because Abu Bakr is the only door going to the mosque from his home, Muhammad comforted his buddy and gave the order to close all other doors. He said, “for I know no one who is a better friend to me than he”.

The Muslim community was unprepared for Muhammad’s passing and many people went through a great shock. Particularly moved, Umar threatened anyone who said Muhammad was still alive and instead said that Muhammad had gone to pray and would return soon. After returning to Medina, Abu Bakr reassured Umar that Muhammad had passed away by displaying his body. Then he spoke to the crowd inside the mosque, saying, “If anyone worships Muhammad, Muhammad is dead. If anyone worships God, God is alive, immortal“, putting a stop to any urge for idolatry among the populace. “(O Muhammad) Verily you will die, and they also will die,” he said in closing, quoting words from the Quran. “Muhammad is no more than an Apostle; and indeed many Apostles have passed away, before him, If he dies Or is killed, will you then Turn back on your heels? And he who turns back On his heels, not the least Harm will he do to Allah And Allah will give reward to those Who are grateful“.

Succession to Muhammad

In the moments following Muhammad’s passing, the Ansar (locals of Medina) gathered in the Banu Sa’ida clan’s Saqifah (courtyard). The consensus at the time was that the Muhajirun (migrants from Mecca) were purposefully left out of the meeting so that the Ansar could choose a new head of the Muslim community among themselves, though this has since come into question. However, after hearing about the meeting, Abu Bakr and Umar hurried to the event out of fear of a possible coup. As soon as he arrived, Abu Bakr warned the men gathered that any attempt to choose a leader outside of Muhammad’s own clan, the Quraysh, would probably cause strife because only they could command the respect required among the community. He then offered Umar and Abu Ubaidah to the Ansar as viable candidates, taking them both by the hand. Veteran of the Battle of Badr Habab ibn Mundhir responded by proposing that the Quraysh and the Ansar each select a leader from among themselves, who would then rule jointly. Hearing this suggestion, the group became agitated and started to quarrel among themselves. William Muir, an orientalist, makes the following assessment of the circumstance:

“The moment was critical. The unity of the Faith was at stake. A divided power would fall to pieces, and all might be lost. The mantle of the Prophet must fall upon one Successor, and on one alone. The sovereignty of Islam demanded an undivided Caliphate; and Arabia would acknowledge no master but from amongst Koreish.”

The assembled men quickly imitated Umar, who grasped Abu Bakr’s hand and swore his own devotion to him. A heated altercation between Umar and Sa’d ibn Ubadah, the Banu Sa’ida chief, caused the gathering to end. This would suggest that there was some debate regarding Abu Bakr’s selection and that the conflict raised strong feelings. As a result of Saqifah, Abu Bakr was almost unanimously acknowledged as the leader of the Muslim community (under the title of Caliph), notwithstanding some disagreement over the event’s haste. A few of his friends initially resisted accepting his rule, most notably Ali ibn Abi Talib. Shi’ites also contend that Ali was already chosen as Muhammad’s heir, with the selection being perceived as going against Muhammad’s desires. Later, Abu Bakr sent Umar to confront Ali, which led to a confrontation that might have involved bloodshed. Ali, however, promised Abu Bakr his loyalty once the group reached a peace agreement with him after six months.

Reign of Abu Bakr

Abu Bakr’s first address after becoming Caliph was as follows:

“I have been given the authority over you, and I am not the best of you. If I do well, help me; and if I do wrong, set me right. Sincere regard for truth is loyalty and disregard for truth is treachery. The weak amongst you shall be strong with me until I have secured his rights, if God wills; and the strong amongst you shall be weak with me until I have wrested from him the rights of others, if God wills. Obey me so long as I obey God and His Messenger. But if I disobey God and His Messenger, you owe me no obedience. Arise for your prayer, God have mercy upon you.” – Al-Bidaayah wan-Nihaayah 6:305, 306

During the victorious Ridda Wars, which lasted 27 months, Abu Bakr put an end to the Arab tribes’ uprising throughout the Arabian Peninsula. He despatched Khalid ibn al-Walid on conquests against the Sassanid Empire in Mesopotamia and the Byzantine Empire in Syria in the final months of his rule. This would start a historical process (completed later by Umar and Uthman ibn Affan) that, in a few of decades, would result in the creation of one of the most powerful empires in recorded history. Although state affairs remained steady under his Caliphate, he had little time to focus on their management. He consented to stop his cloth business and take a salary from the state coffers on the recommendation of Umar and Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah.

Ridda Wars

Shortly after Abu Bakr’s accession, unrest broke out as numerous Arab tribes staged uprisings, endangering the unity and stability of the new society and state. The Ridda wars (“Wars of Apostasy”) relate to both these insurgencies and the caliphate’s responses to them. There were two types of opposing movements. One kind saw the proclamation of opposing philosophies led by political leaders who claimed the mantle of prophethood in the same way that Muhammad had done, challenging both the political and religious authority of the emerging caliphate. These uprisings consist of:

1. Of the Banu Asad ibn Khuzaymah headed by Tulayha ibn Khuwaylid.
2. Of the Banu Hanifa headed by Musaylimah.
3. From among the Banu Taghlib and the Bani Tamim headed by Sajah.
4. Of the Al-Ansi headed by Al-Aswad Al-Ansi.

Islamic history labels each of these figures as “false prophets.” A more strictly political movement was the second type of resistance. Some of these uprisings took place in Najd among tribes like the Banu Fazara and Banu Tamim as tax uprisings. While initially supporting the Muslims, other dissidents took advantage of Muhammad’s passing to try to limit the expansion of the new Islamic state. Some of the Raba in Bahrayn, some Azd in Oman, some Kindah and Khawlan in Yemen are among them. Abu Bakr presumably realised that maintaining strict control over the various tribes of Arabia was essential to securing the continuation of the state and used military force to put an end to the uprisings.

To quell the uprisings in Najd and that of Musaylimah, who constituted the greatest threat, he sent Khalid ibn Walid and a group of soldiers. At the same time, Ikrimah ibn Abi Jahl, Hudhayfah al-Bariqi, and Arfaja al-Bariqi were given orders to capture Oman, while Shurahbil ibn Hasana and Al-Ala’a Al-Hadrami were despatched to Bahrayn. Al-Muhajir ibn Abi Umayya and Khalid ibn Asid were subsequently dispatched to Yemen to help the local governor regain power. Along with using armed force, Abu Bakr also used diplomacy. He exploited marriage alliances and financial inducements, just like Muhammad before him, to sway former rivals to the caliphate. For example, a Banu Hanifa member who supported the Muslims was honoured with the gift of a vast estate. Similar to this, Al-Ash’ath ibn Qays, a Kindah rebel, was later granted Medina property as well as Umm Farwa, Abu Bakr’s sister, as his wife after repenting and returning to Islam. The Ridda movements were fundamentally threats to the Islamic state’s political and religious dominance. Abu Bakr effectively completed the political consolidation that had started under Muhammad’s leadership with minimal interruption thanks to his effectiveness in putting an end to the uprisings. He had established an Islamic rule over the whole Arabian Peninsula by the end of the battles.

Expeditions into Persia and Syria

Arabia now posed a potential danger to the neighbouring Byzantine and Sasanian empires after coalescing under a single, powerful monarchy with a strong military. It’s possible that Abu Bakr chose to strike first because he believed it was inevitable that one of these nations would launch a preemptive attack on the fledgling caliphate. Whatever the caliph’s intentions, he sent small soldiers into Iraq and Palestine in 633, where they took many towns. Abu Bakr had reason to be confident despite the fact that the Byzantines and Sassanians were guaranteed to react because they were both militarily worn down from decades of conflict, making it likely that any forces deployed to Arabia would be reduced and weakened. The effectiveness and devotion of the Muslim fighters, which were partly fueled by their conviction in the justice of their cause, were, however, a more pressing advantage. In addition, Muslims generally held the view that the group needed to be protected at all costs. Theodor Noldeke, a historian, holds the somewhat contentious view that this religious fervour was exploited on purpose to keep the ummah’s excitement and momentum:

“It was certainly good policy to turn the recently subdued tribes of the wilderness towards an external aim in which they might at once satisfy their lust for booty on a grand scale, maintain their warlike feeling, and strengthen themselves in their attachment to the new faith… Muhammad himself had already sent expeditions across the [Byzantine] frontier, and thereby had pointed out the way to his successors. To follow in his footsteps was in accordance with the innermost being of the youthful Islam, already grown great amid the tumult of arms.”

Despite having launched the initial wars that led to Islam’s eventual conquest of Persia and the Levant, Abu Bakr did not survive to see it happen; he instead handed the task off to his successors.

Preservation of the Quran

Abu Bakr played a crucial role in keeping the Quran in writing. After the bloody Battle of Yamama triumph against Musaylimah in 632, it is stated that Umar discovered that 500 Muslims who had learned the Quran had perished. Umar asked Abu Bakr to give the go-ahead for the consolidation and protection of the scriptures in writing form out of concern that they would get lost or corrupted. “How can we do that which the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless and keep him, did not himself do?” the caliph reportedly questioned at first. However, he eventually gave in and chose Zayd ibn Thabit, who had previously worked as one of Muhammad’s scribes, to assemble the dispersed verses.

The shards were found in all kinds of places, such as the ribs of palm branches, leather scraps, stone tablets, and “from the hearts of men”. The collected work was written down on sheets and cross-checked against Quran memorization experts. The completed codex, known as the Mus’haf, was given to Abu Bakr, who left it to his successor Umar before passing away. The Mus’haf was given to Umar’s daughter Hafsa, one of Muhammad’s wives, after he passed away. The mythical prototype used by Uthman to create the final Quran was based on this book, which he had stolen from Hafsa. All subsequent editions are based on this first one.

Legacy of Abu Bakr

The Sassanid Empire and the Byzantine Empire, the two most potent empires at the time, were successfully invaded during his caliphate, despite the fact that it lasted only two years, two months, and fifteen days. The honour of becoming the first Caliph in Islamic history and the first Caliph to name a successor belonged to Abu Bakr. The whole sum of the allowance he had received during his caliphate was returned to the state treasury at the time of his death, making him the only caliph in Islamic history to do so.

Sunni View of Abu Bakr

Abu Bakr is regarded by Sunni Muslims as one of the greatest persons to have lived after the prophets. Furthermore, they view Abu Bakr as one of the Ten Promised Paradise (al-‘Ashara al-Mubashshara), of whom Muhammad had confirmed that they were on their way to Paradise. He is considered to be the first among the Rightly Guided Caliphs — i.e., Rashidun — and as Muhammad’s legitimate successor. He is also known as the “Successor of Allah’s Messenger” (Khalifa Rasulullah). Throughout Muhammad’s life, Abu Bakr had been his closest companion and confidant, standing by his side at all of the important occasions. Muhammad always valued Abu Bakr’s sage counsel. As Umar ibn al-Khattab remarked, “If the faith of Abu Bakr was weighed against the faith of the people of the earth, the faith of Abu Bakr would outweigh the others”. Abu Bakr is recognised as one of Muhammad’s best adherents.

Shia View of Abu Bakr

Shia Muslims hold that Ali ibn Abi Talib was meant to take over and that Muhammad had clearly and openly designated him as his successor at Ghadir Khumm. It is also thought that Abu Bakr and Umar planned an uprising against Ali to seize control of the Muslim state following Muhammad’s passing. Since Abu Bakr refused to provide Muhammad’s daughter, Fatimah, the territories of the village of Fadak that she tried to claim her father had granted to her as a gift prior to his death, the majority of Twelver Shia (the major branch of Shia Islam, comprising 85% of all Shias) have a negative opinion of Abu Bakr. She argued the land would still be hers as an inheritance from her late father because he would not accept the testimony of her witnesses. In response, Abu Bakr said that Muhammad had informed him that God’s prophets do not leave any material properties to their heirs, and thus he had declined to grant her the Fadak estates. Muhammad, however, received a maid, five camels, and ten sheep as inheritance, according to Sayed Ali Asgher Razwy, who writes about this in his book A Restatement of the History of Islam & Muslims. Shia Muslims hold the view that prophets are capable of both receiving and transferring inheritance.

Shias also assert that Fadak was a gift to Fatimah rather than an inheritance because Muhammad gave it to her while he was still alive. Al-Ma’mun, the Abbasid emperor, has also endorsed this viewpoint. Abu Bakr is also charged with taking part in the burning of Ali and Fatima’s home by the Twelvers. According to the Twelver Shia, Abu Bakr sent Khalid ibn Walid to annihilate all who supported Ali’s caliphate. The Twelver Shia vehemently deny any involvement on the part of Abu Bakr or Umar in the acquisition or preservation of the Quran, contending that they ought to have accepted Ali’s copy of the book. Sunnis counter that Ali and Abu Bakr were not rivals and that Ali gave Abu Bakr’s name to his sons by naming them Abi Bakr. Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr was reared by Ali when Abu Bakr passed away. Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr is regarded as one of Ali’s finest companions by the Twelver Shia. When the Umayyads assassinated Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr, his third wife Aisha reared and educated her nephew Qasim ibn Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr. The mother of Qasim ibn Muhammad ibn Abu Bakr was a descendant of Ali, and Farwah bint al-Qasim, who was married to Muhammad al-Baqir and gave birth to Jafar al-Sadiq, was Qasim’s daughter.

Although it only makes up around 5% of all Shia Muslims, the Zaydi Shias, the second-largest sect among Shias after the Safavid dynasty, believe that Zayd ibn Ali, Jafar al-uncle, Sadiq’s was betrayed by the Kufa residents who stated to him: “We are your betrayer“. “May God have mercy on you! What do you have to say on the matter of Abu Bakr and Umar ibn al-Khattab?“.  “I have not heard anyone in my family renouncing them both nor saying anything but good about them…when they were entrusted with government they behaved justly with the people and acted according to the Quran and the Sunnah“.

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