Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu)’s spontaneous response to the invitation of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)
Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) once said:
ما دعوت أحدا إلى الإسلام إلا كانت فيه عنده كبوة ونظر وتردد إلا ما كان من أبي بكر بن أبي قحافة ما عتم عنه حين ذكرته له وما تردد فيه
(At the beginning of Islam) Whoever I invited to Islam expressed some reservation and doubt, with the exception of Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu). When I invited him to Islam he readily embraced it, without an iota of doubt and hesitation.
Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) was the first adult male to embrace Islam. Thereafter, he became the cause for many Sahaabah entering into the fold of Islam. From amongst them were five Sahaabah from the Ashara Mubash-shara viz. Hadhrat Uthmaan ibn Affaan, Hadhrat Zubair ibnul Awwaam, Hadhrat Abdur Rahmaan ibn Auf, Hadhrat Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqaas and Hadhrat Talha ibn Ubaidillah (Radhiallahu Anhum). [1]
Incident regarding his accepting Islam
Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) relates: Prior to the advent of Islam, I set out on a journey to Yemen. Along the journey, I came across an old, learned Sheikh from the tribe of Azd. He possessed great knowledge regarding the previous scriptures, and was quite familiar in regard to the ways and mannerisms of the various tribes of people.
Upon seeing me, the following dialogue ensued between us:
The learned Sheikh: “From your appearance I make out that you are from the residents of the Haram.”
Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq: “Yes, I am from the people of the Haram.”
The learned Sheikh: “It seems like you are from the Quraish tribe.”
Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq: “Yes, I am from the Quraish.”
The learned Sheikh: “It seems like you belong to the Banu Taim clan (i.e. from the descendants of Taim ibn Murrah).”
Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq: “Yes, I am from the progeny of Taim ibn Murrah. I am Abdullah ibn Uthmaan , from the children of Ka’b ibn Sa’d ibn Taim ibn Murrah.”
The learned Sheikh: “All the signs are evidently witnessed in you, however there is one more sign that has not yet been proven.”
Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq: “What is the last sign that you are searching for?”
The learned Sheikh: “Expose your stomach to me.”
Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq: “Not until you explain to me the reasons for you enquiring to see it.”
The learned Sheikh: “I have found recorded in the authentic scriptures that soon a Nabi will be sent in the world and he will hail from the Haram. He will be supported in his mission by a youngster and a middle-aged man. As for the youngster, he will be big built, strong and powerful, and as for the middle-aged man then he will be fair in complexion and thin in body, on his stomach there will be some warts, and on his left thigh there will be a mark. What harm will be caused if you expose to me what I have requested, for I am convinced that all the signs are existent within you with the exception of one (which is hidden from me)?”
Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) then exposed his stomach, and the learned Sheikh saw some warts above his navel. He then said: “I take an oath by the Lord of the Ka’bah, you are definitely the same person. I wish to forewarn you regarding some matter, against which you should exercise extreme caution.” Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) then asked: “And what is it you wish to caution me about?”
The learned Sheikh: “Abstain from deviating from the straight path, and hold firm to the perfect, moderate path. Fear Allah Ta’aala regarding the favour which he has bestowed upon you and blessed you with.”
Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) then says: Upon completing my work in Yemen, thereafter I returned to the learned sheikh to bid him farewell. He asked me: “Do you wish to hear some poetry which I have composed in praise of the final messenger?" I agreed and he began reciting a few couplets.
Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) further says: I then set out on my journey returning to Makkah Mukarramah. It was during my journey that prophethood was conferred upon Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Upon my return the leaders of the Quraish viz. Uqbah ibn Abi Mu’ait, Shaibah, Rabee’ah, Abu Jahl, Abul Bakhtari and others approached me in a manner as though some great event had occurred. So I asked them: “What is the matter? Have you been afflicted by some calamity? Has something strange occurred?” They replied: “The most shocking of events has occurred; the orphan of Abu Taalib is claiming to be a nabi. Had it not been for you (i.e. your position being so exalted that we felt it appropriate to consult you before taking a decision), we would have certainly not spared him. Since you have now arrived from your journey, you are sufficient in guiding us and explaining to us what to do.” Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) gently brushed them off and enquired regarding the whereabouts of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) was informed that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is in the home of Hadhrat Khadeeja (Radhiallahu Anha).
Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) then says: I knocked on the door and Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) came out. I then asked: “O Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), I have learnt that you have forsaken the ways of your people, and abandoned the religion of your forefathers?” Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) replied: “O Abu Bakr (Siddeeq)! I am the messenger of Allah Ta’aala to you and to the entire humanity, so bring Imaan in Allah Ta’aala.” I then asked: “What is your proof of your being appointed as the messenger of Allah Ta’aala?” Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) replied: “The learned Sheikh whom you met in Yemen.” I replied: “There were many learned Sheikhs that I had met in Yemen.” Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) then said: “The learned Sheikh who recited poetry regarding myself, the final messenger.” I then asked: “Who has informed you regarding this, O my beloved friend?” Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) replied: “The greatest of angels (Hadhrat Jibraeel (Alaihi Salaam)), who used to visit the Messengers who came before me.” I then said: “Extend your hand to me (so that I may embrace Islam upon your hands), for indeed I testify that there is none worthy of worship besides Allah Ta’aala, and that you are His final messenger.”
Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) further mentions: I left the gathering of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), and there was no one in the valley of Makkah Mukarramah happier with my embracing Islam than Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).[2]
[1] سيرة إبن هشام
[2] أسد الغابة
