Abu Bakr

Abu Bakr ( , alternative spellings, Abubakar , Abi Bakr , Abu Bakar ) ( c . 573 – August 23 , 634 ) ruled as the first of the Muslim caliphs ( 632 – 634 ). Abu Bakr was born in Mecca , a Quraishi of the Banu Taim clan. According to early Muslim historians, he was a merchant, and highly esteemed as a judge, as an interpreter of dreams, and as one learned in in Meccan traditions. He was one of the last people anyone would have expected to convert to the faith preached by his kinsman Muhammad . Yet he was one of the first converts to Islam (see below) and instrumental in converting many of the Quraish and the residents of Mecca. Originally called Abd-ul-Ka'ba ("servant of the house of God"), on his conversion he assumed the name of Abd-Allah (servant of God). However, he is usually styled Abu Bakr (from the Arabic word bakr , meaning a young camel) due to his interest in raising camels. Sunni Muslims also honor him as Al-Siddiq ("the truthful", or "upright"). He was one of Muhammad's constant companions. Abu Bakr purchased the freedom of eight slaves: men: Bilal Abu Fakih Ammar Abu Fuhayra women: Lubaynah Al-Nahdiah Umm Ubays Zinnira When Muhammad fled from Mecca in the hijra of 622 , Abu Bakr alone accompanied him. Abu Bakr was also linked to Muhammad by marriage: Abu Bakr's daughter Aisha married Muhammad soon after the migration to Medina . During the prophet's last illness, Muhammad designated Abu Bakr to lead prayers in his absence: many took this gesture as an indication that Abu Bakr would succeed Muhammad. Upon the latter's death ( 8 June 632 ), Abu Bakr was elected the first caliph , by the acclamation of the people present at the meeting of Saqifah while Ali and the rest of Bani Hashim was busy preparing for Mohammed's funeral and did not know anything about the election. The Shi'a disputes this election. According to them, before Muhammad died he had publicly appointed his son-in-law Ali ibn Abi Talib to be his successor as a command from God, and this nomination happened at Ghadir Khum when Muhammad and a convoy of Muslims had finished the performance of Hajj (Pilgrimage). Sunni scholars argue that it is highly unlikely that the electors of the first Caliph would have disregarded such a public endorsement, had it been factual. They further point to the Prophet's injunction to the Faithful to settle their matters through shura , or consultation, thereby establishing the elective office of the Caliphate which endured for the first four occupants. However, Shi'a scholars hold that the Caliphal office was ordained by God and therefore no election to the contrary is valid. This controversy is the cause of the first schism in Islam, between Sunni and Shia . Whatever the truth of the matter is, Ali actively campaigned for the Caliphat. Just when he was he sought it was imposibble, he was elected to the office in 656 . ABU BAKR'S FIRST ADDRESS: "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 will; and the strong amongst you shall be weak with me until I have wrested from him the rights of others, if God will. Obey me so long as I obey God and His Messenger (Muhammad, pbuh). But if I disobey God and His Messenger, ye owe me no obedience. Arise for your prayer, God have mercy upon you." Troubles emerged soon after Abu Bakr's election, threatening the unity and stability of the new community and state. Various Arab tribes of Hejaz and Nejd rebelled against the caliph and the new system. Some withheld the Zakat , the alms tax. Others apostatized outright and returned to their pre-Islamic religion and traditions, classified by Muslims as idolatry and forbidden by Islamic law. The tribes claimed that they had submitted to Muhammad and that with Muhammad's death, they were again free. Abu Bakr insisted that they had not just submitted to a leader but joined the Muslim religious community, of which he was the new head. Apostasy is a capital offense under Islamic law, and Abu Bakr declared war on the rebels. This was the start of the Ridda wars , Arabic for the Wars of Apostasy . The severest struggle was the war with Ibn Habib al-Hanefi , who claimed to be a prophet and Muhammad's true successor. The Muslim general Khalid bin Walid finally defeated al-Hanefi at the battle of Akraba . Abu Bakr's swift action in suppressing these revolts is credited with keeping the nascent Islamic state together and laying the foundation of the empire(s) to come. After suppressing internal dissension and completely subduing Arabia, Abu Bakr directed his generals to foreign conquest. Khalid bin Walid conquered Iraq and Persia in a single campaign, and a successful expedition into Syria also took place. Some traditions about the origin of the Qur'an say that Abu Bakr was instrumental in preserving Muhammad's revelations in written form. It is said that after the hard-won victory over al-Hanefi, Umar ibn al-Khattab (the later Caliph Umar), saw that many of the Muslims who had memorized the Qur'an from the lips of the prophet had died in battle. Umar asked Abu Bakr to oversee the collection of the revelations. The record, when completed, was deposited with Hafsa bint Umar , daughter of Umar, and one of the wives of Muhammad. Later it became the basis of Uthman ibn Affan 's definitive text of the Qur'an. However, other historians give Uthman the sole credit for collecting and preserving the Qur'an. Abu Bakr died on August 23 , 634 in Medina . Shortly before his death (which one tradition ascribes to poison, another to natural causes) he nominated Umar ibn al-Khattab to be his successor, who was duly elected thereafter. Abu Bakr lies buried in the Masjid al Nabawi mosque in Medina, alongside Muhammad and Umar ibn al-Khattab.

Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (Abdullah ibn Abi Qahafa) ( , c. 573 CE – 23 August 634/ 13 AH ) was Muhammad's father-in-law, one of the closest companions and adviser. Abu Bakar succeeded to the Prophet's political and administrative functions, thereby initiating the office of the caliphate. Abū Bakr purportedly was the first male convert to Islam. Muhammad conferred on him the title as-Siddiq, the veracious, for his power to discern the truth. Upon Muhammad's death he became the first Muslim ruler (632–634), regarded in Sunni Islam as the first of the Rashidun (righteously guided Caliphs ). In Shia Islam , he is, however, regarded as a usurper and political opportunist. His caliphate lasted two years and three months, during which time he consolidated the Muslim state. Upon the death of Muhammad, some tribes rebelled, and in return he fought the Ridda wars against these Arab tribes to establish Islamic rule over all of Arabia. He also invaded Sassanid Persian and Byzantine Empire conquering the lands of Syria and Iraq . Abu Bakr is also well known for collecting the verses of the Quran and putting them into the final book read by Muslims today. Many Hafiz (a person who commits the Quran to memory) had died in the previous wars so he was concerned about the preservation of the Quran. He also stopped the Quran being translated into different versions of Arabic. Hitti History of the islamic peoples by Brockelman sources "The Rightly-Guided Caliphs" . University of Southern California .

First Muslim Caliph and the best friend/companion of the Prophet Muhammad Abu Bakr Abdullah ibn Uthman ( ; c. 573 CE – 23 August 634 CE), was a companion and, through his daughter Aisha , a father-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad , as well as the first of the Rashidun Caliphs . Initially a rich and respected businessman, Abu Bakr later became one of the first converts to Islam and extensively contributed his wealth in support of Muhammad's work. He was among Muhammad's closest companions, accompanying him on his migration to Medina and being present at a number of his military conflicts, such as the battles of Badr and Uhud . Following Muhammad's death in 632, Abu Bakr succeeded in the leadership of the Muslim community as the first Rashidun Caliph . During his reign, he overcame a number of uprisings, collectively known as the Ridda wars , as a result of which he was able to consolidate and expand the rule of the Muslim state over the entire Arabian peninsula . He also commanded the initial incursions into the neighbouring Sassanian and Byzantine empires , which in the years following his death, would eventually result in the Muslim conquests of Persia and the Levant . Abu Bakr died of illness after a reign of 2 years, 2 months and 14 days. There are <ref group=note> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a template (see the help page ).

1st Rashidun Caliph and father-in-law of Islamic Prophet Muhammad For other people with the name, see Abu Bakr (name) . Bakr Abdullah Abū Bakr ʿAbd Allāh ibn ʿAbī Quḥāfa ( ; 27 October 573 – 23 August 634) was the senior companion and was, through his daughter Aisha , a father-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad , as well as the first Caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate . He is known with the honorific title al-Siddiq by Sunni Muslims. Abu Bakr was born in 573 CE to Abu Quhafa and Umm Khayr . He belonged to the tribe of Banu Taym . In the Age of Ignorance , he was a monotheist and condemned idol-worshipping. As a wealthy trader, Abu Bakr used to free slaves. Following his conversion to Islam in 610, Abu Bakr served as a close aide to Muhammad, who bestowed on him the title " al-Siddiq " ('the Truthful/Righteous'). The former took part in almost all battles under the Islamic prophet. He extensively contributed his wealth in support of Muhammad's work and among Muhammad's closest companions. He also accompanied Muhammad on his migration to Medina . By the invitations of Abu Bakr, many prominent Sahabis became Muslims. He remained the closest advisor to Muhammad, being present at almost all his military conflicts. In the absence of Muhammad, Abu Bakr led the prayers and expeditions. Following Muhammad's death in 632, Abu Bakr succeeded the leadership of the Muslim community as the first Rashidun Caliph . His election was opposed by a large number of rebellious tribal leaders, who had apostatized from Islam. During his reign, he overcame a number of uprisings, collectively known as the Ridda Wars , as a result of which he was able to consolidate and expand the rule of the Muslim state over the entire Arabian Peninsula . He also commanded the initial incursions into the neighbouring Sassanian and Byzantine empires , which in the years following his death, would eventually result in the Muslim conquests of Persia and the Levant . Apart from politics, Abu Bakr is also credited for the compilation of the Quran , of which he had a personal caliphal codex. Abu Bakr nominated his principal adviser Umar ( r. 634–644 ) as his successor before dying in August 634. Along with Muhammad, Abu Bakr is buried in the Green Dome at the Al-Masjid an-Nabawi in Medina , the second holiest site in Islam . He died of illness after a reign of 2 years, 2 months and 14 days, the only Rashidun caliph to die of natural causes. Though the period of his caliphate was short, it included successful invasions of the two most powerful empires of the time, a remarkable achievement in its own right. He set in motion a historical trajectory that in a few decades would lead to one of the largest empires in history. His victory over the local rebel Arab forces is a significant part of Islamic history. Abu Bakr is widely honored among Muslims . There are <ref group=lower-alpha> tags or templates on this page, but the references will not show without a template or template (see the help page ). İsmet Uzun, Mustafa (2013). TDV Encyclopedia of Islam (in Turkish). There are <ref group=note> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a template (see the help page ).

First caliph of Rashidun Caliphate from 632 to 634 This article is about the first caliph. Abd Allah ibn Abi Quhafa ( c. 573 – 23 August 634), better known by his kunya Abu Bakr , was a senior companion , the closest friend, and father-in-law of Muhammad . He served as the first caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate , ruling from 632 until his death in 634. Abu Bakr was granted the honorific title al-Ṣiddīq (lit. the Veracious) by Muhammad, a designation that continues to be used by Sunni Muslims to this day. Born to Abu Quhafa and Umm al-Khayr of the Banu Taym , Abu Bakr was amongst the earliest converts to Islam and propagated dawah to the Mushrikites . He was considered the first Muslim missionary as several companions of Muhammad converted through Abu Bakr. He accompanied Muhammad on his migration to Medina and became one of his bodyguards . Abu Bakr participated in all of Muhammad's campaigns and served as the first amir al-hajj in 631. In the absence of Muhammad, Abu Bakr led the prayers. Following Muhammad's death in 632, Abu Bakr succeeded the leadership of the Muslim community as the first caliph, being elected at Saqifa . His election was contested by a number of rebellious tribal leaders. During his reign, he overcame a number of uprisings, collectively known as the Ridda wars , as a result of which he was able to consolidate and expand the rule of the Muslim state over the entire Arabian Peninsula . He also commanded the initial incursions into the neighbouring Sasanian and Byzantine empires , which in the years following his death, would eventually result in the Muslim conquests of Persia and the Levant . Apart from politics, Abu Bakr is also credited for the compilation of the Quran , of which he had a personal caliphal codex. Prior to dying in August 634, Abu Bakr nominated Umar ( r. 634–644 ) as his successor. Along with Muhammad , Abu Bakr is buried in the Green Dome at the Al-Masjid an-Nabawi in Medina , the second holiest site in Islam . He died of illness after a reign of 2 years, 2 months and 14 days, the only Rashidun caliph to die of natural causes. Though Abu Bakr's reign was brief, it included successful invasions of the two most powerful empires of the time, the Sassanian Empire and the Byzantine Empire . He set in motion a historical trajectory that, within a few decades, would lead to the establishment of one of the largest empires in history. His decisive victory over the local Arab rebel forces marks a significant chapter in Islamic history . Sunni tradition revere Abu Bakr as the first of the Rashidun caliphs and the greatest individual after the prophets and messengers . Shia tradition views Abu Bakr as an usurper of the caliphate and an adversary of the ahl al-bayt . There are <ref group=lower-alpha> tags or templates on this page, but the references will not show without a template or template (see the help page ).