The Illustrious Sahaabah The Illustrious Sahaabah of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)
After Hazrat Khadijah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) and Hazrat Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) embraced Islam, the first person who Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) invited to Islam was his faithful friend from childhood, Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu).
The moment Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) extended the invitation of Islam to him, he did not hesitate, but immediately embraced Islam. Rasululullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Every person to whom I presented Islam showed some degree of hesitation, except for Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). He embraced Islam without any hesitation.” (Usdul Ghaabah 3/21)
Though Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) embraced Islam upon Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) presenting the invitation to him, he asked Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) one question to ascertain whether Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was the divinely appointed Messenger of Allah Ta‘ala.
Below is the incident of how Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) embraced Islam:
Incident Regarding Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) Embracing Islam
Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) relates:
Prior to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) being blessed with prophethood, I set out on a journey to Yemen. On arriving in Yemen, I met a learned sheikh from the tribe of Azd who possessed extensive knowledge regarding the previous scriptures, and was also knowledgeable in regard to the ways and mannerisms of the various tribes.
Upon seeing me, the following dialogue ensued between us:
The learned sheikh: “It seems to me that you are from the residents of the Haram.”
Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (radhiyallahu ‘anhu): “Yes, I am from the people of the Haram.”
The learned sheikh: “It seems like you are from the Quraish tribe.”
Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (radhiyallahu ‘anhu): “Yes, I am from the Quraish.”
The learned sheikh: “It seems like you belong to the Banu Taim clan (i.e. from the descendants of Taim bin Murrah).”
Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (radhiyallahu ‘anhu): “Yes, I am from the progeny of Taim bin Murrah. I am Abdullah bin Uthmaan, from the progeny of Ka’b bin Sa’d bin Taim bin Murrah.”
The learned sheikh: “All the signs are evidently witnessed in you, however there is one more sign that has not yet been proven.”
Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (radhiyallahu ‘anhu): “What is the last sign that you are searching for?”
The learned sheikh: “Expose your stomach to me.”
Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (radhiyallahu ‘anhu): “I will not do so until you explain to me the reason for wanting to see it.”
The learned sheikh: “I have found recorded in the authentic scriptures that a Nabi will soon be sent in the world and he will hail from the Haram. A youngster and a middle-aged man will support him in his mission.
“As for the youngster, he will be extremely strong and powerful (this could refer to Hazrat Umar [radhiyallahu ‘anhu] or Hazrat Ali [radhiyallahu ‘anhu]), and as for the middle-aged man, he will be fair in complexion, and thin in body. On his stomach there will be a beauty spot, and on his left thigh there will be a mark.
“What harm will be caused if you expose to me what I have requested, for I have found all the signs in you besides one which is hidden from me?”
Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) then exposed his stomach, and the learned sheikh saw a beauty spot above his navel. Seeing the beauty spot, he said, “I take an oath by the Lord of the Ka’bah! You are definitely the same person! I wish to forewarn you regarding some matter against which you should exercise extreme caution.”
Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) asked, “And what is it that you wish to caution me about?”
The learned Sheikh replied, “Be careful that you do not deviate from the straight path, hold firm to the perfect, moderate path, and fear Allah Ta‘ala regarding the favour which he will bestow upon you and bless you with.”
Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) then says:
After completing my work in Yemen, I returned to the learned sheikh to bid him farewell. He asked me, “Do you wish to hear a few verses of poetry which I have composed in praise of the final Nabi?” I agreed and he recited the couplets.
Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) further says:
I then set out on my return to Makkah Mukarramah, and it was during my journey that prophethood was conferred upon Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).
Upon my return, the leaders of the Quraish viz. Uqbah bin Abi Mu’ait, Shaibah, Rabee’ah, Abu Jahl, Abul Bakhtari and others approached me in a manner as though some great event had occurred.
I asked them, “What is the matter? Have you been afflicted by some calamity? Has something strange occurred?”
They replied, “O Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu)! The most shocking of events has occurred – the orphan of Abu Taalib is claiming to be a nabi. Had it not been for you (i.e. your esteemed position which we recognize and therefore regard it appropriate to consult you before taking a decision), we would have certainly not spared him. Since you have now arrived from your journey, you are sufficient in guiding us and explaining to us what to do.”
Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) gently brushed them off and enquired regarding the whereabouts of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was informed that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was in the home of Hazrat Khadijah (radhiyallahu ‘anha).
Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) then says:
I knocked on the door and Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) came out. I then asked, “O Muhammed (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), I have learnt that you have forsaken the ways of your people, and abandoned the religion of your forefathers?”
Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “O Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu)! I am the messenger of Allah Ta‘ala to you and to humanity at large, so bring Imaan in Allah Ta‘ala.”
I then asked, “What is your proof of your being appointed as the messenger of Allah Ta‘ala?” Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “The learned Sheikh whom you met in Yemen.”
I replied, “There were many learned Sheikhs that I had met in Yemen.” Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then said, “I am referring to the learned Sheikh who recited poetry regarding myself, the final messenger.”
I then asked, “Who has informed you regarding this, O my beloved friend?” Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “The greatest of angels (Hazrat Jibreel [‘alaihis salaam]), who used to visit the Messengers who came before me.”
I then said, “Extend your hand to me (so that I may embrace Islam upon your hands), for indeed I testify that there is none worthy of worship besides Allah Ta‘ala, and that you are His final messenger.”
Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) further mentions, “I left the gathering of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), and there was no one in the valley of Makkah Mukarramah who was more pleased and happier with my embracing Islam than Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).” (Usdul Ghaabah 3/22-23)
The day Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) embraced Islam, he began preaching and inviting towards Islam, until five of the Asharah Mubasharah accepted Islam through his invitation. These were: (1.) Hazrat Uthmaan bin Affaan (2.) Hazrat Zubair bin Awwaam (3.) Hazrat Abdur Rahmaan bin Auf (4.) Hazrat Sa’d bin Abi Waqqaas (5.) Hazrat Talhah bin Ubaidillah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum).
(Al-Rowdh-ul-Unuf 1/430-431)
