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Life is full of comparisons: what car is the best, what is the best job to have and who is the best at this and who is the best at that. We pass strangers in the street and we take notice of the way they may dress, the way they walk or how they may talk and we think to our selves to I look like that, do I talk like that? These things may seem important at the time but they are usually a frivolous list, like the stranger in the street, that when they pass their value is gone. If we change our focus and begin to compare the character and virtue of those around us, we may just find something truly useful.

Chapter 4: The merits of Abu Bakr (raa) as next to those of the Prophet (saws) (in excellence).

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar, (raa) “We used to compare the people as to who was better during the lifetime of Allah’s Messenger (saws). We used to regard Abu Bakr as the best, then ‘Umar, and then ‘Uthmãn (saws).

How many times can we mention the virtues of a single man before we recognize his status? How about when the best of creation, Allah’s Messenger bestows the honour of calling such a man his dear and intimate friend. Will we then accept the status of such a man?

Chapter 3: The saying of the Prophet “Close the gates (in the Mosque), except the gate of Abu Bakr.” ^[1]

Narrated Abu Sa’id al-Khudri, (raa) “Allah’s Messenger (saws) addressed the people saying, Allah gave a choice to one of (His) slaves to choose this world or what is with Him. The slave chose what is with Allah.”

Abu Bakr (raa) wept, and we were astonished at his weeping caused by what the Prophet (saws) mentioned as to a slave (of Allah) who had been offered a choice, (we learned later on) that Allah’s Messenger (saws) himself was the person who was given the choice, and that Abu Bakr (raa) knew more than us.

Allah’s Messenger (saws) added Abu Bakr (raa) has favoured me much with his company and property (wealth) more than anybody else. If I were to take a Khalil ^[2] other than my Lord, I would have taken Abu Bakr (raa), but the Islamic brotherhood and friendship is sufficient. Close all the gates in the mosque except the gate of Abu Bakr (raa).”

[See Vol. 1, Hadith No. 466]

Even the greatest of men struggle with fear. Fear is an affliction that eats at the hearts of mankind causing us to forget that there is a Protector greater than any, If He (awj) is with us nothing can harm us accept by His (awj) will.

Chapter 2: The Virtues of the Emigrants (i.e., Muhajirun) and Their Merits.

Narrated Abu Bakr (raa) I said to the Prophet (saws) while I was in the cave, “If any of them should look under his feet, he would see us.” He said, “O Abu Bakr! What do you think of two (persons) the third of whom is Allah (awj)?”

Abu Bakr as-Saddiq (raa) was a man who had the best relationship with the Messenger of Allah (saws). He was the first man to accept Islam and the only man to make hijra (migration) with the Prophet (saws). Their journey was difficult and at times Abu Bakr (raa) feared for the Prophet (saws), but there was nothing to fear. They had a Companion far greater than any other and He is the best of Protectors, Al-Wālī.

Chapter 2: The Virtues of the Emigrants (i.e., Muhajirun) and Their Merits.

Narrated Al-Bara’ (raa): Abu Bakr (raa) bought a (camel) saddle from ‘Azib for thirteen Dirham. Aba Bakr (raa) said to ‘Azib, “Tell Al-Bard’ to carry the saddle for me ‘Azib said, “No, unless you relate to me what happened to you and Allah’s Messenger (saws) when you left Makkah while Al-Mushrikün
were in search of you.”

Abu Bakr (raa) said, “We left Makkah and we traveled continuously for that night and the following day till it was midday. I looked (around) searching for shade to take as shelter, and suddenly I came across a rock, and found a little shade there. So I cleaned the place and spread a bed for the Prophet (saws) in the shade and said to him, ‘Lie down, O Allah’s Messenger.’ So the Prophet (saws) lay down and I went out, looking around to see if there was any person pursuing us. Suddenly I saw a shepherd driving his sheep towards the rock, seeking what we had already sought from it. I asked him, ‘To whom do you belong, O boy” He said, ‘I belong to a man from Quraish. He named the man and I recognized him. I asked him, ‘Is there any milk with your sheep?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ I said, ‘Will you then milk (some) for us?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ Then I asked him to tie the legs of one of the ewe and clean its udder, and then ordered him to clean his hands from dust. Then the shepherd cleaned his hands by striking his hands against one another. After doing so, he milked a small amount of milk.

I used to keep for Allah’s Messenger (saws); a leather water-container, the mouth of which was covered with a piece of cloth. I poured water on the milk container till its lower part was cold. Then I took the milk to the Prophet , whom I found awake. I said to him, ‘Drink, O Allah’s Messenger.’ So he drank till I became pleased. Then I said, ‘It is time for us to move, O Allah’s Messenger!’ He said, ‘Yes.’ So we set out while the people (i.e., Quraish Mushnkün) were searching for us, but none found us except Suraqa bin Malik bin Ju’shum who was riding his horse. I said, ‘These are our pursuers who have found us, O Allah’s Messenger!’ He said, ‘Do not be sad (or afraid), surely, Allah is with us.’”

[See Vol. 4, Hadifh No.3615]

Virtues are behaviours of high moral standard that we all strive to possess. There have been many in history with such characteristics and some have been blessed more than others.

Chapter 2: The Virtues of the Emigrants (i.e., Muhajirun) and Their Merits.

Among them is Abu Bakr (‘Abdullah bin Abu Quhafa At-Taimi) (raa).

The Statement of Allah (awj):

“(And there is also a share in this booty) for the poor emigrants who were expelled from their homes and their property, seeking bounties from Allah and to please Him. And helping Allah (i.e. helping His religion – Islamic Monotheism), and his Messenger (Muhammad (saws)) such are indeed the truthful (to what they say) .”

Surat Al-Ĥashr (The Exile) [59:8]

And also the Statement of Allah (awj)

“If you help him (Muhammad (saws)) not (it does not matter), for Allah did indeed help him when the disbelievers drove him out, the second of two, when they (Muhammad (saws) and Abu Bakr) were in the cave, and he (saws) said to his companion (Abu Bakr): “Be not sad (or afraid), surely Allah is with us.” Then Allah sent down His Sakinah (calmness, tranquility, peace, etc.) upon him, and strengthened him with forces (angels) which you saw not, and made the word of those who disbelieved the lowermost, while it was the Word of Allah that became the uppermost, and Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.”

Surat At-Tawbah (The Repentance) [9:40]

‘Aishah , Aba Sa’id and Ibn ‘Abbas (raa) said, “Abu Bakr was with the Prophet in the cave (of the mountain called Ath-Thur at Makkah)