Dec 01
Death of Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA)
Monday 22 Jumada Al Akhira, 1784
Dec 01
Monday 22 Jumada Al Akhira, 1784
Hazrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ is one of the significant figures of Islamic history. He was a close companion of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. He was the first male to accept Islam and stand by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ like a rock. He was with Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in every trial and never left his side. He was known for his humility, loyalty, and faith. The Muslim community was in grief and clueless after the death of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Hazrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ became the first Caliph in these difficult times and guided the Ummah with his wisdom. Under his leadership, the Islamic community expanded, stabilized, and its internal matters were addressed diligently.
Hazrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ, being the first male to accept Islam and believe in the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, demonstrates that he had a firm belief in the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and showed sincerity towards his message. After that, he remained shoulder to shoulder with Prophet Muhammad ﷺ throughout every step. He provided both financial and moral support to spread Islam. He stood by Prophet ﷺ in every trial and even migrated to Madinah with him without second thought. It shows his closeness, trust, and courage.
Hazrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ played a crucial role in all the battles alongside the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, contributing through his presence and wisdom. After the passing of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, there was a wave of sadness everywhere. Abu Bakr رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ was the one who broke this news and said, “Muhammad ﷺ has passed away, but whoever worships Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, know that Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى is ever-living and never dies.”
He became the first Caliph of Islam. He gathered the Muslims and urged them to remain united during this difficult time. He initiated the compilation of the Quran immediately and suppressed the ideas of false prophets vigilantly. He ruled for only two years, but during his reign, the foundation of Islam became stronger and stabilized. He has left a strong legacy that was devoted to the path of Islam.
After two years as Caliph, he began to fall ill. It is reported that he developed a fever, which persisted for several days. In some places, it is said that he got sick after taking a shower in cold weather, which upset his health. Even during his illness, he demonstrated full devotion and responsibility in solving issues and prioritizing leadership over his health.
Hazrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ submitted himself completely according to the will of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى and did not wish to cling to power or life. He accepted his death with dignity and stayed calm. In his last days, he showed his longing to return to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى and reminded everyone around him that do not to indulge in the lights of this world, as it's not the true world.
When Hazrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ felt that his illness was growing, he started to prepare for death with deep humility. He understood that after his death, the unity must remain intact within Muslims. Thus, he contacted the other prominent companions and made Hazrat Umar ibn al-Khattab رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ the commander, to become the second Caliph. It showed his foresight for the perseverance of Islam.
He lived a simple life that depicts his character filled with humility. He instructed in his will that any kind of wealth benefits he received during his time must be given to Bayt-ul-Mal. His personal belongings were also quite limited, including a camel, a simple garment, and a servant, which shows that he was not connected to worldly desires at all.
He also requested his burial before time to be laid beside Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, who was buried in the chamber of Hazrat Aisha رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا. Everyone accepted his wish wholeheartedly. All these preparations and announcements beforehand reflect that he was a responsible person and wanted to commit to his responsibilities towards the Muslim community until the end of time. He took care of both spiritual and worldly matters.
Hazrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ passed away on 22nd, Jamadi-us-Sani after 13 years of Hijrah. He was 63 years old, the same age at which Prophet Muhammad ﷺ died. It shows his deep connection to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. When the final day of his life came, he remained totally calm and submitted himself to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى.
According to some narrations, he praised Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى and talked about his oneness. He expressed the longing to meet his creator. All the companions and family members were with him during his last moments and were touched by his last words. There was a profound sense of grief throughout Madinah. The Muslim community lost a leader who prevented them from going astray and led them with all honesty after the death of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
His funeral was also a testament to simplicity, much like his life. His burial was conducted according to Islamic traditions, with him covered in a plain white cloth. The funeral prayer was led by Hazrat Umar رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ, whom he appointed his successor. The whole city felt the grief.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, who was buried in the chamber of Aisha رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا, daughter of Hazrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ, fulfilled his wish to be with him there with Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. It signifies his importance and closeness to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. It is one of the holiest sites for Muslims nowadays in Masjid-e-Nabwi. Many people visit there to pay respect.
It was a moment of great grief for the Muslim community. As he took care of the community after the loss of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, the companions again felt a void of losing a great leader. He was a Caliph, but many saw him as a symbol of continuity, which gave them hope after the demise of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. They felt immense grief but displayed strength and patience, which were the qualities of Abu Bakr رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ.
Hazrat Umar رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ immediately took charge of the leadership as appointed by Abu Bakr رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ, so that there would be no commotion. All of the companions acknowledged his leadership qualities of Abu Bakr رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ and praised his wisdom and farsightedness. The Muslim Ummah felt immense grief but trusted his decision of giving the Caliphate to Hazrat Umar رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ. He lived a life that is a guiding path for even today’s Muslims.
During his short era of Caliphate, he served as an exemplary leader who tackled the rebellions, claims of false prophets, and handled the disunity of Muslims after the death of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. He kept his strong faith in Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى and continued to lead with resilience. One of his major contributions was to initiate the compilation of the Quran and convert it into a single manuscript, utilizing the knowledge of many martyrs of battles, including those who were skilled memorizers of the Quran.
He foresightedly took this decision soon after the death of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Hazrat Umar رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ and Zayd ibn Thabit رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ helped him in this mission. He laid the basis to expand the Islamic Arab. Muslim armies were sent towards the Persian and Byzantine empires to spread Islam and its teachings. He himself lived a simple life and did not take any treasury benefits during his reign. He was one of the most humble and righteous leaders.
His death gave many lessons to the Muslim community. One of the most significant was his humility. He lived a very simple life despite being the leader of the Muslim Ummah. He had no desire for worldly things. The return of worldly things to Bait-ul-Maal shows his honesty towards leadership.
One other important lesson was his foresight and responsibility towards the community. He appointed Hazrat Umar رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ his successor, so there were no rebellious fights after his death. Accepted his death calmly and spent his last moments with patience and talking about faith in lash and about his oneness. He showed a great desire to meet his creator and leave this world.
The death of Hazrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ was the end of his remarkable journey in devotion to Islam and Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. He stood by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in every trial and served with his life and wealth. He was the first male Muslim who accepted Islam without asking any questions, as he had complete trust in Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. He became the first Caliph after the death of Prophet Muhammad, and led the Muslim community with utmost devotion. He never shied away from making any sacrifice. He was a man of great wisdom and devotion. Even during his final time, he was busy making decisions for the betterment of the Muslim community.
He served only for a short time, which was 2 years, but he laid the basic foundation of the Islamic community and united them after the death of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. One of the main tasks was the compilation of the Quran. He left behind a great legacy of justice, faith, and simplicity. Both his life and death are set examples for the Muslim community. Even his last message was about the oneness of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى and detachment from worldly things.