Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
The Strict Adherence of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) to the Shari‘ah and Sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)
After Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was appointed as the Khalifah and the Muslims had pledged allegiance at his hands, Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) addressed the people and delivered a khutbah. Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) commenced the khutbah by praising Allah Ta‘ala, and thereafter said the following:
“O people! I have been appointed as the Khalifah over you, although I am not the best person among you. If I fulfill my responsibilities correctly then assist me, and if I fall short in fulfilling my obligations then correct me. Being truthful is an amaanah (a responsibility and binding obligation), while lying is deceitfulness and dishonesty.
“The weak person among you is strong in my sight (as Shari‘ah commands that he should be assisted). Hence, insha Allah, I will bring relief to him by restoring his rights. The strong person among you is weak in my sight (as Shari‘ah commands that retribution should be taken from him). Hence, insha Allah, I will take back the usurped right of the oppressed from him.
“There is no nation who neglected striving in the path of Allah Ta‘ala in jihaad, except that Allah Ta‘ala afflicted them with humiliation and disgrace. Whenever sins of shamelessness spread and became common among a nation, then Allah Ta‘ala afflicted them with a widespread punishment.
Remain obedient to me so long as I remain obedient to Allah Ta‘ala and His Rasul (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). If I disobey Allah Ta‘ala and His Rasul (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), then I have no authority over you.”
Concluding the sermon, Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) then instructed the people to stand and form the saffs for salaah. (Seerah Ibnu Hishaam 2/661)
Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was an embodiment of the sunnah. His first sermon, after being appointed as the Khalifah, reflects his deep commitment to the Shari‘ah and his strict adherence to the Mubaarak Sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). This was the sole objective of his life – to uphold the Shari‘ah and to promote the Mubaarak Sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in the world.
May Allah Ta‘ala bless us with the tawfeeq of emulating Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and all the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) in upholding the Mubaarak Sunnah in our lives.
