Abu Bakr (r) From Hijrah to Early Khilaafah

Abu Bakr (r)From Hijrah to Early Khilaafah A.S. Hashim, MD From wikipedia.com

Sources of Reference • Tabaqat ibn Sa'd • Tarikh ar-Rusul wa al-Muluk • Encyclopaedia of Islam, 1913-1936, Leiden • al-Bidayah wa'an-Nihayah • Life of Muhammad • Sahih al-Bukhari, • Tabari: • The Encyclopaedia of Islam. • "The Life of Muhammad - A translation of Ibn Ishaq's Sirat Rasul Allah" by A. Guillaume, Oxford University Press, • Qutayba al Dinawari. Al Imamah Wa'l Siyasa.

In this Slide Show • Al-Masjid Al-Nabawi • The brotherhood in Faith • At Badr, Ohod, and the Ditch Encounters • At Hudaibiya, Khaybar, and the conquest of Mecca • With the Prophet's death and the aftermath • Ali and the oath of allegiance, and Fatima’s objections • The wars of Ridda (apostasy) • The collection of the Quran

Al-Masjid al-Nabawi • In Medina, Muhammad decided to construct a mosque immediately. • A piece of land was chosen and the price of the land was paid for by Abu Bakr. • Muslims constructed the mosque collectively • The Prophet himself participated in the construction • Abu Bakr also took part in the construction.

The Original Mosque • The original mosque was an open-air building with a raised platform for the reading of the Quran. • It was a rectangular enclosure of 98 × 115 ft, • It was built with palm trunks and mud walls, and accessed through three doors: • Bab Rahmah (Door of Mercy) to the south, • Bab Jibril (Door of Gabriel) to the west and • Bab al-Nisa' (Door of the Women) to the east. • Inside, Muhammad created a shaded area to the south called the suffah • and aligned the prayer space facing north towards Jerusalem. • When the Qibla was changed, the direction was changed to face the Ka'ba in Mecca,

Replica of al-Masjid al-Nabawi

Nowadays: al-Masjid al-Nabawi

Brotherhood in Faith • Abu Bakr was paired with Khaarijah ibn Zaid Ansaari as a brother in faith. • Abu Bakr's relationship with his brother-in-Islam was most cordial, • The relationship was further strengthened when Abu Bakr married Habiba, a daughter of Khaarijah. • A child was born after Abu Bakr had died, by the name of Umm Kulthoom

Khaarijah and Abu Bakr • Khaarijah was living at al-Sunh, a suburb of Medina, and Abu Bakr also settled there. • After Abu Bakr's family arrived in Medina he bought another house near the house of Muhammad (pbuh). • The climate of Medina was damp • It adversely affected the health of the immigrants, • so on their arrival most of them fell sick. • Abu Bakr also suffered from fever too • and during his sickness he was attended to by Khaarijah and his family.

Abu Bakr’s Business • At Mecca, Abu Bakr was a trader in cloth • In Medina, he started the same business. • He was a wholesaler, and had his store at al-Sunh, • From al-Sunh cloth was supplied to the market at Medina. • Soon his business flourished and became prosperous. • Abu Bakr's daughter A’isha, who was already engaged to Muhammad, • She was handed over to Muhammad in a simple marriage ceremony, • and this further strengthened the relation between Abu Bakr and Muhammad.

At Badr and Ohod Encounters • Abu Bakr was involved in the first battle against Quraish at the Battle of Badr, • Abu Bakr did not participate in the fight, instead he was one of the guards of Muhammad's tent. • He also participated in the Battle of Ohod which ended in a rout by the majority of the Muslims. • Before the battle begun, Abu Bakr's son ‘Abdul Rahman was still non-Muslim. • He fought on the side of the Quraish in Badr, and now in Ohod • He came forward and threw down a challenge for a duel. • The 54 yrs old Abu Bakr accepted the challenge but was stopped by Muhammad.

At Ohod Encounter • In the second phase of Ohod, Khalid ibn al-Walid’s cavalry attacked the Muslims from behind, changing a Muslim victory to defeat. • Many Muslim warriors were routed from the battle field • but in Sunni accounts Abu Bakr remained, guarding Muhammad from the attacks of the Quraish soldiers, while Shi'a and many Sunni accounts dispute this. • Shi'a criticize Abu Bakr’s lack-luster military achievements in comparison with the genuinely accomplished Ali. • They say it was Ali and a few others including Abu Dujana who surrounded the Prophet and defeated the attackers. • Abu Bakr was 54 yrs old at the time of this battle,

The Trench and Khaybar • Abu Bakr was present in: • the Battle of the Trench • and also in the struggle against Banu Quraidha. • He participated in Treaty of Hudaibiya and was made one of the witnesses over the pact. • Abu Bakr was a part of the Muslim campaign to Khaybar. • He was given the leadership to conquer the Fort, but he failed to do so • Next day Omar was given the same opportunity but he also failed • Next day Ali was given the same opportunity and he succeeded in a magnificent way, soundly defeating the resistance. • The rest of the 8 forts were soon captured under Ali’s leadership

At the Conquest of Mecca • When Muslims rushed for the Conquest of Mecca, Abu Bakr was with them. • Before the conquest of Mecca his father Abu Quhafa had converted to Islam. • Abu Bakr participated in the Battle of Hunain and Siege of Ta'if. • He was part of the Muslim force in the campaign of Tabuk under Muhammad's command • For Tabuk, he was reported to have financial support for the preparation of this expedition.

Ghadeer Khum • Following the Haj, the Prophet and multitude of others were on their way home, including Abu Bakr and Omar. • Juhfa was an intersection between Mecca and Medina • Near Juhfa, at an oasis called Ghadeer Khum, the Prophet delivered a speech • The Prophet stood on an elevation to be seen by the massive crowd • He took Ali with him, raising up both his and Ali’s arms • He gave a long speech, the highlight was: • Ali is Appointed as the Wali (in charge of the Ummah) after the Prophet

The Prophet’s Speech at Ghadeer Khum من كنت مولاه فهذا عليٌ مولاه اللهم وال من والاه وعاد من عاده وانصر من نصره واخذل من خذله وأدر الحق معه حيثما دار O' people, whosoever I am his leader, So is Ali to be his leader O' lord, uphold him who upholds Ali, And antagonize him who antagonizes Ali, And support him who supports Ali, And impede him who impedes Ali, And let the truth be with Ali wherever he goes

After the Speech in Ghadeer Khum • Omar came forward congratulating Ali saying: بخٍّ بخٍّ لكَ يا علي، أصبَحتَ مولايَ ومولى كُلّ مؤمنٍ ومؤمنه Congratulations, congratulations, O' Ali! You have become my leader And the leader of every believer, man or woman. • Abu Bakr did likewise • The multitude of others came to congratulate Ali before heading home

Ghadeer Khum Nowadays

The Sickness of the Prophet(pbuh) • Having arrived in Medina after the farewell Hajj Muhammad fell sick. • His sickness intensified and a short time after Muhammad became gravely ill. • As sick as he was, Muhammad came out and sat on the pulpit. After thanking and praising Allah he said, ﺇ ﻥ ﺍ ﷲ ﺧﻴﺮ ﻋﺒﺪﺍ ﺑﻴﻦ ﺍﻟﺪﻧﻴﺎ ﻭﺑﻴﻦ ﻣﺎ ﻋﻨﺪﻩ ﻓﺎﺧﺘﺎﺭ ﺫﻟﻚ ﺍﻟﻌﺒﺪ ﻣﺎ ﻋﻨﺪﺍﷲ Allah has given one of His Servants the choice of receiving the splendor and luxury of the worldly life or to accept the good which is with Allah. So he has chosen that good which is with Allah

Abu Bakr’s Reaction • Upon hearing the Prophet, Abu Bakr wept and he said: May our fathers and mothers be sacrificed for you! • The companions wondered as to why Abu Bakr wept, and the people said, • Look at this old man! Allah's Apostle talks about a Servant of Allah to whom He has given the option to choose either the splendor of this worldly life or the good which is with Him, while he says "our fathers and mothers be sacrificed for you" • It turned out Muhammad himself was that servant, as Abu Bakr later told the companions.

U'sama Expedition • When the Prophet's fever developed he directed Abu Bakr to be in the expedition of U'sama • Omar was also directed to be in the expedition under U'sama • U'sama who was 18, but the Prophet chose him to lead because of his prowess and good leadership • Neither Abu Bakr nor Omar joined U'sama expedition, they did not listen, they lingered instead in Medina, • Shi'a claim that both Abu Bakr and Omar figured the end of Muhammad was near, so they waited for the sake of the Khilaafah after the Prophet.

The Death of the Prophet • When Muhammad died Muslims gathered in Al-Masjid al-Nabawi with sobs and cries and a feeling of despondency. • Abu Bakr came from his house at Sukh (suburb of Medina) on a horse. • He dismounted and entered the Prophet's Mosque, but did not speak to anyone until he entered upon A’isha. • In Sunni accounts he went straight to Muhammad • Who was covered with Yemeni cloth. • He then uncovered Muhammad's face and bowed over him and kissed him and wept, saying, May we become sacrificed for you. By Allah, Allah will never cause you to die twice. As for the death which was written for you, it has come upon you

In the Masjid: The Death of the Prophet • Omar was making a speech to the people with an oath: “By Allah, he is not dead but has gone to his Lord as Musa ibn Imraan went and remained hidden from his people for forty days. Musa returned after it was said that he had died. By Allah, the Messenger of Allah will come back and he will cut off the hands and legs of those who claim his death." • Abu Bakr arrived and said, Sit down, O Omar! • But Omar refused to sit down. • However, the people came to Abu Bakr and left Omar alone. Abu Bakr then said: (see next slide)

In the Masjid: Abu Bakr Speaks • If any amongst you used to worship Muhammad, then Muhammad has died, but if you worship Allah, then Allah never dies. • Allah said, "And Muhammad is no more than a messenger; the messengers have already passed away before him; if then he dies or is killed will you turn back upon your heels? And whoever turns back upon his heels, he will do no harm to Allah and Allah will reward the grateful." (3.144) • When the Muslims recited it to themselves it brought them to their senses. • Omar said, By Allah, when I heard Abu Bakr reciting it, my legs failed to support me and I fell at the moment I heard it, declaring that the Prophet had died.

Saqifa of Benu Sa’ida سقيفة بني ساعدة‎ • After Muhammad's death leaders of the Ansaar met in a resting place called Saqifa, • There was a total of 6 Saqifas in Medina, the one Al-Ansaar met in is called Saqifa of Benu Sa’ida سقيفة بني ساعدة‎ • The Ansaars met to discuss whom they would support as their new leader after the Prophet. • There were many arguments and high emotions. • All this and the Prophet has not been given the funeral rites as of yet! • The news of the meeting was given to Abu Bakr and Omar

At Saqifa of Benu Sa’ida • When Abu Bakr was informed of the meeting, he, Omar, Abu Ubaida and a few others rushed to the Saqifa • They were to prevent the Ansaar from making an unwelcome decision. • In this highly charged atmosphere, Abu Bakr said the Prophet had already said the Khalifas after him are from Quraish • Thus the Ansaars were excluded • The Ansaars consisted of Aus and Khazraj • The Aus members voted for Abu Bakr • The Khazraj under their leader Sa’ad Ibn Abada سعد بن عبادة refused him. • Sa’ad Ibn Abada even left Medina to Syria without giving his pledge, where it is said he died mysteriously (apparently murdered)

At Saqifa of Benu Sa’ida • Accounts of this meeting vary greatly. All agree that during the meeting: • Omar declared that Abu Bakr should be the new leader, thus he declared his personal allegiance to Abu Bakr, • Omar was followed by Abu Ubaida, then others, • At the Masjid Nabawi, this de-facto position was announced and those present voted in support. • Ali and many others of Benu Hashim were busy preparing for the funeral rites of the Prophet (pbuh) • The needs of the moment was first and foremost to take care of the Prophet (pbuh).

The Shi’a Attitude of the Saqifa • Shi’a criticize Abu Bakr for forsaking the funeral of Muhammad to attend the political gathering, • They believe that Muhammad had already appointed Ali in his lifetime as his successor (Ghadeer Khum). • This view portrays Abu Bakr and Omar as plotters in a political coup against Ali. • Madelung (in his book: Succession to Muhammad) portrays Abu Bakr as a political opportunist whose character as the founder of Sunni Islam has been extensively embellished by subsequent kings and emperors (caliphs) making it difficult to openly criticize him

The Allegiance of Ali • Shi'as have maintained that Ali never paid allegiance to Abu Bakr, and there is support for this in both Shi'a and Sunni historical texts. • A few Sunni sources, however, have suggested that Ali withheld for only six months. • The details of whether Ali ever consented to pay allegiance to Abu Bakr is not mentioned in the sources themselves, but are generally taken as added by later interpreters. • Shi'a ideology maintains that Ali was forcibly taken to Abu Bakr, who later staged a mock allegiance ceremony to consolidate his power.

Abu Bakr's First Address • Abu Bakr's first address as Khalifa was as follow: 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, ye owe me no obedience. Arise for your prayer, God have mercy upon you.

Dilemmas Facing Abu Bakr 1. Ali: No Allegiance 5. Expansion beyond Arabia 2. Fatima’s Protest 4. To subdue the Ridda 3. U'sama’s Expedition

Fatima: Arguing the Matter of her Inheritance

Abu Bakr answers Fatima

Arabic Tribes Revolt • Troubles emerged soon after Abu Bakr's succession, that have threatened the stability of the new community and state. • Several Arabic tribes revolted against Abu Bakr: • In four of the six centers of the insurrection, the rebels rallied around people who claimed to be prophets, • the most prominent among these was Musailema. • The tribes claimed that they had submitted to Muhammad only,and that with Muhammad's death, their allegiance had ended. • Thus several tribes acted in accordance to this pre-Islamic practice and refused to pay Zakat.

Sites of Ridda Wars. • The many centers revolting against the Ummah • The most powerful were two: • Malik ibn Nuwayrah • Musailema and his tribe, the Banu Hanifa. • Within less than a year they were subdued, but at a fairly high price. Map detailing the sites of Major battles fought during ridda wars.

Ridda wars (Wars of Apostasy). • The apostasy of central Arabia was led by self-proclaimed prophet Musailema of Yamama area, • The other centers were to the south and east in Bahrain, Oman, Mahra region and Yemen. • Abu Bakr planned his strategy accordingly and formed the Muslim forces into 11 corps. • The strongest corps, (and this was the main punch of the Muslim army), was that of Khalid ibn al-Walid. It was used to fight the most powerful of the rebel forces. • Other corps were given areas of secondary importance in which to bring the less dangerous apostate tribes

Ridda wars (Wars of Apostasy). • Abu Bakr's plan was first to clear the area of west and central Arabia (the area nearest Medina), • then tackle Malik ibn Nuwayrah, and finally concentrate against the most dangerous enemy Musailema. • After a series of successful campaigns, Khalid ibn al-Walid finally defeated Musailema and his tribe, the Banu Hanifa, in the Battle of Yamama. • The Campaign of the Apostasy was fought and completed during the eleventh year of the Hijrah. • The year 12 Hijrah dawned, with Arabia united under the central authority of the Khalifa at Medina.

The Quran —Preservation • Abu Bakr was instrumental in preserving the Quran in written form. • It is said that after the hard-won victory over Musailema in the Battle of Yamama: • Omar saw many of the Muslims who had memorized the Quran had died in battle. • Fearing that the Quran may be lost or corrupted, Omar requested Abu Bakr to authorize the compilation and preservation of the Book in written format. • After initial hesitation, Abu Bakr made a committee headed by Zaid ibn Thabit which included the memorizers of the Quran to collect all verses of the Book.

The Quran —Preservation • After collecting all Quranic verses from texts in the possession of various Sahaaba, • Zaid ibn Thabit and members of his committee verified the reading by comparing with those who had memorized the Quran. • After they were satisfied that • they had not missed out any verse or made any mistakes in reading or writing it down, • the text was written down as one single manuscript and presented in a book form to Khalifa Abu Bakr. • Prior to his death, Abu Bakr gave this authorized copy of the Quran to Omar. • It remained with Omar throughout his tenure as Khalifa.

The Quran —Preservation • Prior to his death, Omar gave this Book to his daughter Hafsa, who was one of the wives of Muhammad. • Omar did not nominate his successor on his deathbed, • and thus he preferred to leave this copy with Hafsa. • Later on, it became • the basis of Uthman's definitive text of the Quran • which was published far and wide • merely 18 years after the death of Muhammad. • Later historians give Uthman the principal credit for re-verification and publishing the Quran.

Abu Bakr: General View • Abu Bakr's Khilaafah lasted for 27 months, during which: • He crushed the rebellion of the Arab tribes throughout Arabia in the successful campaign against Apostasy. • He launched campaigns against the Persian Empire and the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) • Thus, Abu Bakr set in motion a historical trajectory that in just a few short decades would lead to one of the largest empires in history. • He had little time to pay attention to the administration of state, though state affairs remained stable during his Khilaafah. • On the advice of Omar and Abu Ubaida he agreed to have a salary from state treasury and abolish his cloth trade.

In Conclusion • Abu Bakr during the last 12 years of his life • Abu Bakr in Medina • Presence in the major encounters with the foes of Islam • His Khilaafah and its circumstances • His dilemma about the allegiance of Ali and others, • The strong objections of Fatima • Dealing with the Ridda wars • Preservation of the Quran in written form • The expansion against the Persian and Byzantine empires

Finally we quote the Quran:

THANK YOU Be in Allah’s Care Dr. A.S. Hashim

Abu Bakr (r) From Hijrah to Early Khilaafah