Abubakr and His Caliphate
By: Dr. Issah Abeebllahi Obalowu
1.1 Appointment of Abubakr as the
Successor of the Prophet (SAW).
The
Prophet (SAW) died in ‘Aishah’s room on Monday 12 Rabī‘u al-Awwal 11th
year after Hijrah. The death of the Prophet (SAW) posed a great panic to entire
Muslims. So, the Anṣār gathered around their leader, in the person of Sa‘d bin
‘Ubādah, to discuss the leadership of the Muslims after the demise of the
Prophet (SAW). They were contemplating appointing one leader from the Anṣār
(people of Madinah) and another leader from al-Muhājirūn (Emigrants from
Makkah). At this moment, Abubakr al-Ṣiddīq, Umar bin Al-Khaṭṭāb, and Abu ‘Ubaydah
bin al-Jarrāh went to them. Then Abubakr spoke to them eloquently and made them
know that the leader should be appointed from among the emigrant, while the Anṣār
should stand as the ministers and advisers to the appointed leader. After a
long dialogue, the Anṣār agreed with Abubakr since his opinion was based on the
injunction of the Prophet (SAW) and persuasive reasoning. So, Abubakr suggested
the appointment of either ‘Umar or Abū ‘Ubaydah as the successor of the Prophet
(SAW). ‘Umar responded to this suggestion and said to Abubakr: "No but we elect
you, for you are our chief and the best among us and the most beloved of all of
us to Allah's Messenger (SAW)." Thus ‘Umar took AbuBakr's hand and gave
the pledge of allegiance and other people too gave their pledge of allegiance
to Abubakr. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith no. 3668 and 6830). This happened on the same day of the Prophet’s
death, and before his noble corpse was buried.
2.1 Brief
About Abubakr’s Biography
Abubakr
al-Ṣiddīq’s name is ‘Abdullah bin ‘Uthman bin ‘Amir al-Qurashi. He met with the
Prophet (SAW) in the lineage of the sixth grandfather -Murrah bin Ka‘ab-. He was born in the third year after the Year of the Elephant,
which means that the Prophet (SAW) was older than him by roughly 3 years.
His Father’s
name is ‘Uthmān bin ‘Amir, and he was known as Abu quḥāfah, he embraced Islam
on the day of the conquest of Makkah. His Mother was Salmah binti Ṣakhr, she
was known as Ummu al-Khayr, and she accepted Islam earlier. Abubakr has six
children; 3 boys: ‘Abdur-Rahman, Abdullah, and Mohammad, and 3 girls: Asmāu,
‘Aishah, and Ummu Kulthūm.
2.2
Some Virtues of Abubakr
There are
many authentic Hadiths that stated the virtues of Abubakr, a few of which will
be stated below:
1. Narrated Abu Sa‘īd
Al-Khudriy: The Prophet (SAW) delivered a sermon and said, "Allah gave a
choice to one of (His) slaves either to choose this world or what is with Him
in the Hereafter. He chose the latter." Abu Bakr wept. I said to myself,
"Why is this Shaykh weeping if Allah gave choice to one (of His) slaves
either to choose this world or what is with Him in the Hereafter and he chose
the latter?" And that slave was Allah's Messenger (SAW) himself. Abu Bakr knew more than us. The Prophet (SAW) said,
"O Abu Bakr! Don't weep. The Prophet (SAW) added: Abu- Bakr has favoured me much with his property
and company. If I were to take a Khalīl (intimate) from mankind I would
certainly have taken Abu Bakr but the Islamic brotherhood and friendship are
sufficient. Close all
the gates in the mosque except that of Abu Bakr. (Sahih al-Bukhari,
hadith: 466 and 3654).
We can derive
the following points from the above hadith:
·
Abubakr was one of the most knowledgeable companions.
·
Abubakr was most the beloved companion to the Prophet
(SAW).
·
Abubakr was the one that has the highest contribution to
helping and supporting the Prophet (SAW).
·
Abubakr has exceptional status in the Prophet’s
mosque.
2.
Narrated Ibn ‘Umar: We used to compare the people as
to who was better during the lifetime of the Prophet (SAW). We used to regard
Abu Bakr as the best, then ‘Umar, and then ‘Uthman. (Sahih al-Bukhari, hadith:
3655).
3.
The Prophet (SAW) told the companions regarding Abubar:
"Allah sent me (as a Prophet) to you (people) but you said (to me), 'You
are a liar,' while Abu Bakr
said, 'He has said the truth,' and he consoled me with himself and his money." He then said
twice, "Won't you
then give up harming my companion?" Abu al-Dardāi said: “After that
nobody harmed Abu Bakr.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, hadith 3661).
4.
Narrated Jubayr bin Muṭ‘im: A woman came to the
Prophet (SAW), and he ordered her to return to him again. She said, "What
if I came and did not find you?" as if she wanted to say, "If I found
you dead?" The Prophet (SAW) said, "If you should not find me, go to Abu Bakr." (Sahih
al-Bukhari, hadith: 3659, 7220, 7360).
5.
Abubakr neither prostrated before an idol nor drank
alcohol before and after Islam. (‘Aliy al-Ṣalābī, 2009,
24).
6.
Abubakr freed several companions from slavery. (‘Aliy al-Ṣalābī, 2009, 35-38).
3. Some of
Abubakr’s Achievements During His Regime
Abubakr's
foremost duty was to maintain the standard upon which the Prophet died and
restore the stability of the Muslim states. After the death of the Prophet,
some disruptive elements threatened to damage the existing system. So, the new
Kahlifah focused all his efforts on suppressing all possible threats to the
states. These activities consumed most of his time and energy, which left
little for anything else.
3.
Enforcement of Usāmah’s Troop
3.1
An Introduction to Usāmah’s Troop
Roman Empire was
one of the greatest empires during the time of the Prophet. It occupied a big
space in Northern Arab Peninsula, and even its leaders were appointed by the
Roman Empire. The Prophet (SAW) sent Dahiyyah
al-Kalbi with a letter to Heraclius, the king of Rome, inviting him to Islam,
but he refused to accept Islam and showed arrogance. Likewise, the messenger of
Allah (SAW) sent his emissaries to many other leaders, but none of these kings
accepted Islam except the Negus, the king of Abyssinia, and the king of Oman
and his brother. (Sahih al-Bukhari, hadith: 7).
3.1.1
Battle of Mu’tah
In the 8th
year after Hijrah, the Prophet (SAW) wanted to minimize the prestige and the
fear of the Romans in Arabs’ minds, so he sent a troop to conquer those
territories under the hegemony of the Romans. The troops fought with the Arab
Christians and Romans in the Battle of Mu’tah. All the commanders -Zayd bin
Harithah, Ja‘far bin Abi Talib and ‘Abdullah bin Rawahah- appointed by the
Prophet (SAW) for this battle became martyred. Then, the sword of Allah -Khalid
bin al-Walid- later took the commandment of the Muslim soldiers and was able to
tactically return the soldiers to Madinah. (‘Aliy al-Ṣalābī,
2009, 160).
3.1.2 Some Hadith Reported the Battle of Mu’tah:
·
‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar said: "Allah's Messenger
(SAW) appointed Zayd bin Ḥārithah as the commander of the army during the battle
of Mu'tah and said, "If Zaid is martyred, Ja‘far should take over his
position, and if Ja‘far is martyred, ‘Abdullah bin Rawāḥah should take over his
position." ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar further said, "I was present amongst
them in that battle and we searched for Ja‘far bin Abī Ṭālib and found his body
amongst the bodies of the martyred ones, and found over ninety wounds over his
body, caused by stabs or shots (of arrows). (Sahih al-Bukhari: 4261).
·
Narrated Anas: The Prophet had informed the people of
the martyrdom of Zayd, Ja‘far, and Ibn Rawāḥah before the news of their death
reached. The Prophet said, "Zayd took the flag (as the commander of the
army) and was martyred, then Ja‘far took it and was martyred, and then Ibn Rawāḥah
took it and was martyred." At that time the Prophet's eyes were shedding
tears. He added, "Then the flag was taken by a Sword amongst the Swords of
Allah (i.e. Khalid) and Allah made them (i.e. the Muslims) victorious."
(Sahih al-Bukhari: 4262).
·
Narrated Khālid bin Al-Walīd: On the day of Mu'tah,
nine swords were broken in my hand and only a Yemenite sword of mine remained
in my hand. (Sahih al-Bukhari: 4266).
3.1.3
Battle of Tabūk
In other to
protect the Muslims from the evil of the Romans, In the 9th year after Hijrah,
the Prophet (SAW) led a big troop to al-Shaam to face Romans, but there was no
encounter between Muslim soldiers and Romans and Arab tribes. The leaders of
those cities agreed on paying a tax to the Muslims, thus the Prophet returned
to Madinah with his soldier after twenty days spent in Tabūk. This was the last
battle fought by the Prophet. (‘Aliy al-Ṣalābī, 2009, 160).
3.2 Usāmah’s Troop
In the 11th
year after Hijrah, towards the end of the Prophet’s life, he prepared a troop
under the commandment of Usāmah bin Zayd bin Ḥārithah to go and fight the
Romans. He told him to lead the troops to the same place where his father was
murdered. The troops consist of several renowned companions. This happened in
few days before the death of the Prophet (SAW). The Prophet fell sick two days
after initiating the preparation of the troops, so the troops remained in the
camp around Madinah waiting for what would happen. The troop returned to
Madinah after receiving the news of the death of the Prophet (SAW) waiting for
the decision of the new Government. (Ibn Ḥajar, 1379 A.H., 8/152; Sahih
al-Bukhari: 4466; ‘Aliy al-Ṣalābī, 2009, 161).
3.2.1 Enforcement of Usamah’s Troop by Abubakr
On the third
day after the emergence of Abubakr as Khalifah, he gave a speech and ordered
the enforcement of Usamah’s troops. He said: no one among Usamah’s soldiers
should be left in Madinah. (Ibn Khathīr, 1988, 6/334).
3.2.2 The Argument
Between Abubakr and Some Companions Regarding the Enforcement of Usamah Troop
·
Some companions suggested the cancellation of the
troop for security purposes.
·
Some of Ansar requested a change of commander.
3.3.3
Lessons and Essence of the Enforcement of the Troops
Abubakr opposed
the views of the other companions and insisted on enforcing the troop that was
initiated by the Prophet. The troops returned victorious after terrifying Rome
and reducing their prestige and fear in the minds of Arabs. The step taken by
Abubakr saved the Muslims from several plots. Since the unbelievers perceived
the power of the Muslims from this move, and therefore they were afraid of attacking
Muslims. The unbelievers said to themselves that if the Muslims were not so
powerful they wouldn’t have sent such a troop immediately after the demise of
their spiritual leader. So, the guidance of Allah on the Abubakr’s step
manifests. (‘Aliy al-Ṣalābī, 2009, 166).
4. Fighting Apostates (قتال المرتدين)
4.1 Technical
Meaning of “al-Riddah” (الردة)
“al-Murtadd” (المرتد)
Murtad: He is a
Muslim who denies one of the fundamentals of Islam, such as prayer, zakat,
prophethood, and allegiance to the believers, or utters a statement or performs
an action that cannot be interpreted other than disbelief, whether he does
these things out of mockery, arrogance, or belief.
4.2
Rules of the Apostates
Allah says: “And they (unbelivers) will continue to fight you until
they turn you back from your religion if they are able. And whoever of you
reverts from his religion [to disbelief] and dies while he is a disbeliever -
for those, their deeds have become worthless in this world and the Hereafter,
and those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally.” (al-Baqarah:
217)
وَلَا يَزَالُونَ يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ حَتَّىٰ يَرُدُّوكُمْ
عَن دِينِكُمْ إِنِ اسْتَطَاعُوا ۚ وَمَن يَرْتَدِدْ مِنكُمْ عَن دِينِهِ فَيَمُتْ
وَهُوَ كَافِرٌ فَأُولَٰئِكَ حَبِطَتْ أَعْمَالُهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ
ۖ وَأُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ (البقرة: 217).
The Prophet said:
“If somebody (a Muslim)
discards his religion, kill him.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, hadith: 3017).
قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: "مَنْ بَدَّلَ
دِينَهُ فَاقْتُلُوهُ ". رواه البخاري: 3017.
4.3 Causes and Types
of al-Riddah that Occurred after the Prophet’s Death
4.3.1
Reasons for the Apostasy:
The apostasy
that occurred among the Arab tribes after the death of the Prophet had many reasons,
including the followings:
Shock at the
death of the Prophet.
Lack of proper
understanding of Islam.
Weak Iman.
Craving for
freedom from the regime.
Rebellion
against the authority.
Tribal
fanaticism.
Greed for
kingship.
Envy of companions.
Foreign
influences, etc.
4.3.2
Types of the Apostasy:
Total
abandonment of Islam and returning to kufr.
Claiming of
Prophethood
Rejection of
the prayer
Rejection of
Zakah
Mockery of
the Prophet’s death
Confusion and
doubt about Islam.
So, the
apostates were of four different categories:
Those who
completely returned to paganism
Those who
followed the claimers of prophethood
Those who
denied the compulsion of Zakat
Those who
refused to pay Zakat to Abubakr with their acknowledgment of its obligation.
4.4 Abubakr’s
Stance Towards the Apostates
He fought
them all:
4.4.1
He fought those who rejected Zakah.
Narrated Abu
Hurayrah: When the Prophet died and Abu Bakr became his successor and some of
the Arabs reverted to disbelief, `Umar said, "O Abu Bakr! How can you
fight these people although Allah's Messenger said, 'I have been ordered to
fight the people till they say: 'None has the right to be worshipped but Allah,
'and whoever said, 'None has the right to be worshipped but Allah', that will
save his property and his life from me, unless (he does something for which he
receives legal punishment) justly, and his account will be with Allah?'
"Abu Bakr said, "By
Allah! I will fight whoever differentiates between prayers and Zakat as Zakat
is the right to be taken from property (according to Allah's Orders). By Allah!
If they refused to pay me even a less than a year old sheep they used to pay to
Allah's Messenger, I would fight with them for withholding it." `Umar said, "By Allah: It was nothing, but I noticed that
Allah opened Abu Bakr's chest towards the decision to fight, therefore I
realized that his decision was right." (Sahih al-Bukhari:
6924-6924).
4.4.2 He also fought those who claimed the prophethood
and their followers, i.e.,
Musaylimah al-Kadhāb, al-Aswad al-‘Ansī, and others. Narrated Abu Hurayrah: The
Prophet said, "The last day will not come till there appear about thirty
liars, all of whom will be claiming to be the messengers of Allah." (Sahih
al-Bukhari, hadith: 3609).
During this
battle, many of the ḥafaẓah among the companions lost their lives. Thus, ‘Umar
suggested to Khalifah Abubakr the collection of the Qur’an in one place to
avoid the missing of any part if the same scenario of the death of the ḥafaẓah
occurs in subsequent battles.
5.
Compilation/ Collection of the Qur’an
Narrated Zayd
bin Thābit: Abu Bakr As-Siddiq sent for me when the people of Yamāmah had been
killed (i.e., a number of the Prophet's Companions who fought against Musaylima).
(I went to him) and found `Umar bin Al- Khattab sitting with him. Abu Bakr then
said (to me), "`Umar has come to me and said: "Casualties were heavy
among the Qurra' of the Qur'an (i.e. those who knew the Qur'an by heart) on the
day of the Battle of Yamama, and I am afraid that more heavy casualties may
take place among the Qurra' on other battlefields, whereby a large part of the
Qur'an may be lost. Therefore I suggest, you (Abu Bakr) order that the Qur'an
be collected." I said to `Umar, "How can you do something which
Allah's Apostle did not do?" `Umar said, "By Allah, that is a good
project." `Umar kept on urging me to accept his proposal till Allah opened
my chest for it and I began to realize the good in the idea which `Umar had
realized." Then Abu Bakr said (to me). 'You are a wise young man and we do
not have any suspicion about you, and you used to write the Divine Inspiration
for Allah's Messenger. So you should search for (the fragmentary scripts of)
the Qur'an and collect it in one book." By Allah If they had ordered me to
shift one of the mountains, it would not have been heavier for me than this
ordering me to collect the Qur'an. Then I said to Abu Bakr, "How will you
do something which Allah's Messenger did not do?" Abu Bakr replied,
"By Allah, it is a good project." Abu Bakr kept on urging me to
accept his idea until Allah opened my chest for what He had opened the chests
of Abu Bakr and `Umar. So I started looking for the Qur'an and collecting it
from (what was written on) palm stalks, thin white stones, and also from the
men who knew it by heart, till I found the last Verse of Surat at-Tawbah
(Repentance) with Abi Khuzaymah Al-Ansari, and I did not find it with anybody
other than him. The Verse is: 'Verily there has come unto you an Apostle (Muhammad)
from amongst yourselves. It grieves him that you should receive any injury or
difficulty..(till the end of Surat-Baraa' (at-Tauba) (9.128-129). Then the
complete manuscripts (copy) of the Qur'an remained with Abu Bakr till he died,
then with `Umar till the end of his life, and then with Hafsa, the daughter of
`Umar. (Sahih Bukhari: 4986).
6.
Cconquests During Abubakr’s Regime
Muslim
soldiers conquered many cities in Iraq and Shām during Abubakr’s regime under
the commandment of several companions, i.e., Khālid bin al-Walīd, Abū
‘Ubaydah ‘Ᾱmir bin al-Jarrāḥ, ‘Amr bin al-‘Ᾱṣi, etc.
7.
Death of the Khalifah and Appointment of ‘Umar as the Next Khalifah
In the month
of Jumādā al-Thānī 13th year after Hijrah,
Abubakr fell sick. When he realized the approach of his death, he didn’t want
to leave the Muslims in a dilemma, so he took the following steps to appoint
‘Umar as his successor:
·
Consultation of the top companions.
·
Documentation of the agreement and its announcement to
the public.
·
Taking people’s allegiance for ‘Umar by Abubakr before
his death.
Abubakr died on Monday 22 Jumādā al-Thānī 13th year after Hijrah. May
Allah forgive him and all other companions.
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