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Abu Bakr ibn Abi Quhafa

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Abu Bakr ibn Abi Quhafa
nameAbu Bakr ibn Abi Quhafa
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Abu Bakr ibn Abi Quhafa (d. 13 AH, Medina) was among the earliest Muslims and Muhajirun, a renowned Companion of the Prophet, the father of Aisha (wife of the Prophet), and the First Caliph. He accompanied the Prophet during his Hijra from Mecca to Medina. Following the Prophet's death, he was designated as Caliph by a group that convened at the Saqifah Bani Sa'idah. His selection to the Caliphate became the origin of the division among followers of the Islamic religion into two groups: Shia and Sunni. He held authority over the Islamic government for two years and three months.


Introduction to Abu Bakr

According to certain narrations[1] and evidence such as his lifespan and date of death, Abu Bakr was born in Mecca two years and several months after the Year of the Elephant. His name during the Jahiliyyah period was Abd al-Ka'bah, and after Islam, the Prophet (peace be upon him) renamed him Abdullah[2]. His father was Abu Quhafa Uthman (d. 14 AH) and his mother was Umm al-Khayr Salma bint Sakhr ibn Amr ibn Ka'b; both belonged to the Taym clan and were related to the Prophet (peace be upon him) through Murrah, their fifth common ancestor[3]. In some narrations from Sunni sources, his name is mentioned as Atiq;[4] however, apparently Atiq was his epithet. His kunya is Abu Bakr. However, there is disagreement regarding whether he had a son named Bakr. None of the sources enumerating Abu Bakr's children mention the name Bakr.[5] Regarding this naming, some historians such as Al-Baladhuri and Al-Tabari have cited other reasons[6].


Wives and Children

Qutaylah bint Abd al-Uzza, Umm Ruman bint Amir ibn Uwaymir[7], Asma bint Umayr al-Khath'ami, and Habibah bint Kharijah ibn Zayd al-Khazraji[8] were the wives of Abu Bakr[9].


Abu Bakr Before Islam

Regarding the life and circumstances of Abu Bakr before Islam, some historical sources provide information, including the following:

He was considered one of the elders and wise men of Quraysh and was unparalleled in his knowledge of genealogy[10].

Ibn Abd Rabbih also recounted a story concerning his expertise in genealogy[11].

Abu Bakr is described as a gentle and pleasant man whom the Quraysh loved and consulted with in trade and other affairs.

According to some narrations, the affairs of Ashnaq, meaning blood money (diyat), were also under his responsibility.

In this capacity, he was required to resolve blood-related disputes among Quraysh clans and between Quraysh and other tribes through reconciliation or payment of blood money.

He determined the blood money for the slain, and the Quraysh paid it according to his judgment[12].

He had been engaged in commerce (cloth trading) since his youth[13] and was a wealthy man with a cash reserve of 40,000 dirhams[14].

Some Sunni researchers have written that Abu Bakr was a close friend of the Prophet from his youth and accompanied him on one of his journeys to Syria[15].


Abu Bakr During the Time of the Noble Prophet

There is disagreement among Sunni narrations regarding the time of his conversion to Islam. Given the certainty of the title of the first adult male Muslim belonging to Imam Ali (peace be upon him), some sources have attempted, by citing narrations, to portray him as the first adult male Muslim, arguing that Imam Ali (peace be upon him) was no more than ten years old at the time of his conversion. However, in a narration, Muhammad ibn Sa'd reports from his father that more than fifty people had embraced Islam before Abu Bakr[16].

The most prominent event in Abu Bakr's life was accompanying the Prophet during the migration to Medina and hiding in the Cave of Thawr. When the Prophet learned through Revelation of the plot to assassinate him, he decided to migrate to Medina. At the beginning of the journey, he met Abu Bakr and left Mecca with him. Pursued by the Meccans, Abu Bakr became fearful, but the Prophet calmed him. Sunnis attach great importance to Abu Bakr's companionship with the Prophet during the migration to Medina, particularly their stay of several days in the Cave of Thawr.

However, Shia exegetes, considering the verse "Do not grieve"[17] (which refers to the Prophet's advice to Abu Bakr not to fear anything), believe that this companionship was coincidental and, given Abu Bakr's fear and anxiety, does not constitute a virtue for him. He had a bond of brotherhood with Umar ibn al-Khattab and later, together with him and Abu Ubaydah al-Jarrah, assumed the Caliphate.[18].

Most Significant Actions

Among the most significant actions of Abu Bakr are the following:

  1. Attacks on cities under the control of the Sasanian Empire (Iraq) and the Eastern Roman Empire (Levant),
  2. Advising against the narration of Hadith,
  3. The initial compilation of the Quran,
  4. Abu Bakr appointed Umar as his successor before his death.

Abu Bakr's Securing of Allegiance for the Caliphate

Immediately following the demise of the Prophet (peace be upon him), while the Ahl al-Bayt and a group of Companions were occupied with preparing the noble body of the Prophet for burial, another group of Muslims—comprising both the Ansar and the Muhajirun—gathered at a location known as Saqifah Bani Sa'idah. They engaged in negotiations and disputes regarding the appointment of the Prophet's successor, ultimately designating Abu Bakr for this role.

Another group of Muslims, including the Ahl al-Bayt led by Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him), upon witnessing the disregard shown by certain Companions toward the event of Ghadir and the divine appointment of Imam Ali (peace be upon him) as successor—as detailed extensively in Shia sources—and upon learning of the outcome ratified by those present at Saqifah, separated themselves from the majority in protest. From that moment, the foundation of Shi'ism (which entails allegiance to and following of Ali ibn Abi Talib) was established. This group, which included Companions such as Abbas, Fadl ibn Abbas, Zubayr, Khalid ibn Sa'id, Miqdad, Salman al-Farsi, Abu Dharr, Ammar ibn Yasir, Bara' ibn Azib, and others, assembled in the house of Lady Fatimah al-Zahra (peace be upon her). However, their protest did not deter the Caliph and his supporters from their course of action.

Abu Bakr's Actions During His Caliphate

Confiscation of Fadak

After the demise of the final Prophet, Abu Bakr confiscated the property of Fadak, which had been gifted by the Messenger of God to his daughter Fatimah al-Zahra and bestowed upon her during his lifetime. Fatimah, in defense of her right, went to the Mosque and, in a detailed sermon delivered before the Muhajirun and the Ansar, strongly protested Abu Bakr's conduct.

Al-Ya'qubi summarizes this incident as follows:

"Fatimah, the daughter of the Messenger of God, came to Abu Bakr and demanded her inheritance from her father. He replied: 'The Messenger of God said: We, the community of prophets, do not leave inheritance; whatever we leave behind is charity.'

She responded: 'Is it God's decree that you inherit from your father, while I do not inherit from mine? Did not the Messenger of God say: A man's rights concerning his children must be upheld?' Thereupon, Abu Bakr wept.[19]

Repeated Military Expeditions to the Levant

After assuming the caliphate, Abu Bakr equipped the army of Usamah—which he himself had refrained from joining prior to the Prophet's death (peace be upon him)—and dispatched it to the Roman frontiers, having exempted Umar from participating in this expedition.[20] Usamah proceeded with this army to the Levant, and after acquiring spoils of war, returned to Medina.

Abu Bakr also dispatched another army under the command of Abu Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah to the Levant. Subsequently, military contingents were continuously sent from Medina to reinforce him. The Islamic army was on the verge of victory at Yarmouk when news of Abu Bakr's death reached the Levant (Jamada al-Thani, 13 AH, at the age of 63).[21]

Dealing with Apostates and Those Refusing Zakat

One of the challenges facing Abu Bakr was the rebellion and insubordination of tribes that, following the death of the Prophet (peace be upon him), refused to pay Zakat to his successor. Some of these uprisings, which became known in Islamic history as the Wars of Apostasy, emerged in various regions of the Arabian Peninsula under claims of prophethood.

Some of these rebellions had begun sporadically during the final days of the Prophet's life (peace be upon him) but became more pronounced during Abu Bakr's caliphate. Ultimately, successive military campaigns crushed the rebels, and the central government under Abu Bakr's caliphate remained firmly established.[22]

Policy of Prohibiting the Writing and Narration of Hadith

During Abu Bakr's caliphate, the writing of the Prophet's (peace be upon him) hadiths was completely prohibited. Whenever written Hadith was discovered or obtained from anyone, it was confiscated and burned. The prohibition on narrating and recording hadiths continued throughout the era of the Rashidun Caliphs until the caliphate of Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz, the Umayyad caliph (99–102 AH).[23].

Death of Abu Bakr

Abu Bakr died at the age of 63 due to illness on the seventh of Jumada al-Akhirah, 13 AH, after a caliphate lasting two years, three months, and 26 days.[24] At the time of his death, he left behind a palm grove from the spoils of Banu Nadir, as well as lands in Bahrain, Ghaba, and Khaybar. Despite opposition from some of the Companions, he appointed Umar ibn al-Khattab as his successor.[25] Amir al-Mu'minin Ali (peace be upon him) regarded this appointment as a recompense for Umar's efforts in consolidating Abu Bakr's authority and considered it a predictable move. He expressed astonishment that Abu Bakr, despite deeming himself unworthy of the caliphate and having requested his own removal from office, nonetheless chose a successor.[26] Umar performed the funeral prayer for him during the night between the pulpit and the grave of the Messenger of God (peace be upon him and his progeny) and buried him beside the grave of the Messenger of God (peace be upon him and his progeny), in accordance with Abu Bakr's will.[27]


Footnotes

Template:Footnotes

  1. ↑ Ibn Athir al-Jazari, Usd al-Ghabah, 1286 AH, Vol. 3, p. 223
  2. ↑ Ibn Qutaybah, Al-Ma'arif, 1960 CE, p. 167
  3. ↑ Ibn Sa'd, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, 1968 CE, Vol. 3, p. 169; Ibn Qutaybah, Al-Ma'arif, 1960 CE, pp. 167-168
  4. ↑ Ibn Sa'd, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, 1968 CE, Vol. 3, p. 170; Ibn Athir al-Jazari, Usd al-Ghabah, 1286 AH, Vol. 3, p. 205
  5. ↑ Al-Tabari, Tarikh al-Umam wa al-Muluk, 1387 AH, Vol. 3, p. 246; Ibn Kathir, Al-Bidaya wa al-Nihaya, 1407 AH, Vol. 6, p. 313
  6. ↑ (See: Al-Baladhuri, Ansab al-Ashraf, 1959 CE, Vol. 1, p. 589; Al-Tabari, Tarikh al-Umam wa al-Muluk, 1387 AH, Vol. 3, pp. 253-255; Al-Mufid, Al-Irshad, Maktabah Basirati, p. 102)
  7. ↑ Ansab al-Ashraf, Vol. 10, p. 101
  8. ↑ Al-Tabaqat, Vol. 3, p. 126
  9. ↑ Abdullah, Abd al-Rahman, and Muhammad were his sons, and Asma, Aisha, and Umm Kulthum were his daughters. Aisha married the Prophet (peace be upon him), and Asma became the wife of Zubayr ibn al-Awwam and the mother of Abdullah ibn Zubayr. Muhammad, the son of Abu Bakr, after his father's death and his mother Asma bint Umayr's marriage to Amir al-Mu'minin (peace be upon him), was raised under his care and became one of his close companions; he was later killed by Amr ibn al-As in Egypt. (Ansab al-Ashraf, Vol. 3, p. 167; Al-Amali, p. 79) Qasim, the son of Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr, was among the seven jurists of Medina and the father of Umm Farwah, the wife of Imam Baqir (peace be upon him). (Al-Tanbih wa al-Ishraf, p. 249; Ansab al-Ashraf, Vol. 10, p. 111) The majority of Abu Bakr's descendants continued through Talhah, the grandson of Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr, known as the Talhiyun. (Al-Tanbih wa al-Ishraf, p. 249)
  10. ↑ Al-Tabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2, p. 317
  11. ↑ Ibn Abd Rabbih, Ahmad ibn Muhammad, Vol. 3, pp. 326-327, Al-Aqd al-Farid, edited by Ahmad Amin and others, Beirut, 1402 AH/1982 CE
  12. ↑ Ibn Athir, Ali ibn Muhammad, Vol. 3, p. 206, Usd al-Ghabah, Cairo, 1286 AH
  13. ↑ Ibn Rustah, Ahmad ibn Umar, Vol. 7, p. 215, Al-A'laq al-Nafisah, Leiden, 1891 CE
  14. ↑ Ibn Sa'd, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 3, p. 172, Beirut, Dar Sadir
  15. ↑ Al-Suyuti, Al-Khasa'is al-Kubra, Vol. 1, p. 84, Beirut, 1405 AH/1985 CE
  16. ↑ Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2, p. 316
  17. ↑ Verse 40 of Surah Al-Tawbah
  18. ↑ From the Emergence of Islam to Islamic Iran, Rasul Ja'fariyan, p. 132
  19. ↑ Translation of Tarikh al-Ya'qubi, Vol. 2, p. 1
  20. ↑ Translation of Tarikh al-Ya'qubi, Vol. 2, p. 2
  21. ↑ Great Islamic Encyclopedia, Abolqasem Gorji, Tehran: Center for the Great Islamic Encyclopedia, 1988, Vol. 8
  22. ↑ Great Islamic Encyclopedia, Abolqasem Gorji, Tehran: Center for the Great Islamic Encyclopedia, 1988, Vol. 8
  23. ↑ Shi'ism in Islam, Allamah Tabataba'i, may God have mercy on him
  24. ↑ Al-Tabaqat, Vol. 3, pp. 150–151
  25. ↑ Al-Tabaqat, Vol. 3, p. 149; Ansab al-Ashraf, Vol. 10, p. 88; Tarikh al-Islam, Vol. 3, p. 116
  26. ↑ Ma'ani al-Akhbar, p. 361; Nahj al-Balagha, Vol. 1, pp. 32–33; Al-Fusul al-Mukhtara, p. 247
  27. ↑ Al-Tabaqat, Vol. 3, pp. 150–157
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