The distinctions of the caliphate of Hadhrat Abu Bakr (May Allah be well pleased with him)

 

The distinctions of the caliphate of Hadhrat Abu Bakr

(May Allah be well pleased with him)

 

Hadhrat Abu Bakr (May Allah be well pleased with him) graced the seat of the caliphate for 2 years and 7 months.  In this short a time, he accomplished such great works that they cannot be ignored.

 

The distinctions of the caliphate of Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (May Allah be well pleased with him) are beacons of guidance for kings and the ruling classes.

 

After the demise of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), Islam was passing through a very critical period.  The enemies of Islam were emboldened.  The subversive activities of the Christians and Jews were on the rise.  The hypocrites started making dangerous plans against Islam. 

 

On one hand, the issue of defection of Islam was raising its head and on the other, false claimants of Prophethood were plying their trade.  Somewhere the laws of Islam were being attacked and somewhere else Zakaat was being rejected as an Obligation.

 

In these critical times, Hadhrat Abu Bakr (May Allah be well pleased with him) used his foresight and wisdom.  He put all of his energies into it and not only supported Islam, but put down all the attempts at sabotaging Islam.

 

By virtue of being in the company of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and His special grace, Hadhrat Abu Bakr (May Allah be well pleased with him) had become the most complete manifestation of the perfection of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) outwardly and inwardly.  Hadhrat Abu Bakr (May Allah be well pleased with him) handled the affairs of the caliphate with such organization and supervision that nothing that could derail peace happened. 

 

          Hadhrat Abu Bakr (May Allah be well pleased with him) created such an atmosphere of piety and virtue and checked crime in such a complete manner that in 2 years no case came to the courts.

 

Hadhrat Abu Bakr (May Allah be well pleased with him) is the greatest example of humility and affection.  Even after becoming the caliph, there was no change in his day to day life.  He would watch over all his subjects.  He would help the needy and support the oppressed.

 

There were some orphaned girls of a poor family.  Hadhrat Abu Bakr (May Allah be well pleased with him) would personally help them.  He himself would milk goats and feed them the milk.  After Hadhrat Abu Bakr (May Allah be well pleased with him) became the caliph, they demurred saying:  You are the caliph of the Muslims.  Please don’t do this!  Hadhrat Abu Bakr (May Allah be well pleased with him) replied:  Abu Bakr was the same person earlier as well and will remain so.

 

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) had made Abu Bakr (May Allah be well pleased with him) lead the Salaat in His own earthly life.  Hadhrat Abu Bakr (May Allah be well pleased with him) led 17 Salaat before the demise of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).

 

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) had graced Abu Bakr (May Allah be well pleased with him) for 3 days in the Cave of Thaur.  By making him the Imam of the Muslims for 3 days, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) expressed the same.

 

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) made Hadhrat Abu Bakr (May Allah be well pleased with him) the Imam for Salaat and made this Imamate the foreword of the caliphate.

 

After the demise of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), when Muslims were deliberating who should be made the caliph, Hadhrat ‘Ali (May Allah be well pleased with him) said:  “Salaat” is the primary article of Islam and the pillar of the religion.  The person whom the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) appointed as our Imam for it in His earthly life will also now be our Imam in administration.

 

All the Emigrants and natives of Madina unreservedly gave their allegiance to Hadhrat Abu Bakr (May Allah be well pleased with him).