Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
In the initial stages of Islam, those who embraced Islam had to keep their faith secret as far as possible. As the Muslims were being constantly persecuted by the Quraysh, even Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) advised all new Muslims to practise Islam secretly, so that they might not have to suffer at the hands of the Quraysh.
When, however, the number of Muslims reached 39, Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) made a suggestion for the open preaching and practicing of Islam. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) would not agree, but, when Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallaho Anhu) insisted, he gave his consent and so all of them went to the Haram to propagate the deen of Islam. Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallaho Anhu) began to speak, and the Khutbah (sermon) given by him was the first ever delivered in the annals of Islam. Hadhrat Hamzah (Radhiallahu Anhu), the uncle of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and the Chief of Martyrs embraced Islam on that very day, while Hadhrat Umar (Radhiallahu Anhu) came into Islam on the third day of this address. No sooner did Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) start speaking than the idolaters and disbelievers from amongst the Quraysh fell upon the Muslims from all sides. Despite the fact that he was considered to be the noblest and most respectable of all the people in Makkah Mukarramah, Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) was beaten to such an extent that his nose, ears and entire face were besmeared with blood. He was kicked, thrashed with shoes, trampled under feet and handled most roughly and savagely. He became unconscious and half-dead; none hoped that he would ever survive this brutal onslaught.
Banu Taim, the people of his clan, came and carried him to his house. They also announced in the Haram that if Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) succumbed to his injuries, they would in retaliation take the life of Utbah bin Rabee'ah, who had taken the most active part in the attack. Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) remained unconscious the entire day. The people around him shouted his name again and again to gauge if he was in his senses, but he would not speak. Late in the evening however, he opened his eyes and showed signs of consciousness. As soon as he was able to speak, he enquired:
“How is Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wasallam)?”
The people were most disappointed with him and they said: “How is it that despite all this calamity and after virtually remaining in the jaws of death all day long on account of Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wasallam), as soon as he has come back to consciousness, he has nothing else to talk about , but Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) himself."
They left Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallaho Anhu), much disgusted at his devotion for Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wasallam), while they were satisfied that he was out of danger. They advised Umme Khair, his mother, to give him something to eat. But least minding his food, Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallaho Anhu) would incessantly and impatiently ask his mother the same question again and again, i.e. “How is Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)?”
On her showing ignorance about the welfare of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallaho Anhu) entreated her to go to Hadhrat Umme Jamil (Hadhrat Umar's sister) and find out from her the latest news about the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). The mother could not refuse the request of her son in this pitiable condition, and hurried to Umme Jamil's (Radhiallahu Anha) house to enquire about the welfare of Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam). Like other Muslims of that time, Hadhrat Umme Jamil (Radhiallahu Anha) was also keeping her faith secret. She therefore concealed her knowledge about the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), saying: “Who is Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and who is Abu Bakr (Radhiallahu Anhu)? Why should I know anything about them? I am however sorry to learn about the condition of your son; if you like, I can go with you to see him." Umme Khair agreed and they both came to Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu). On seeing Abu Bakr (Radhiallaho Anhu) in that miserable condition, Umme Jamil (Radhiallahu Anha) could not control herself and began to cry, saying: “Woe to the ruffians for what they have done to a man like Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu). May Allah Ta’ala punish them for their misconduct."
Regardless of what Umme Jamil (Radhiallahu Anha) said, Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) had the same words on his lips viz: “How is Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)?” Umme Jamil (Radhiallahu Anha) (pointing towards Umme Khair) said: “Is it safe to say anything in her presence?”
Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu): “Do not worry about her. Tell me, how is Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)?”
Hadhrat Umme Jamil (Radhiyallahu Anha): “He is quite well.”
Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu): “Where is he at this moment?”
Hadhrat Umme Jamil (Radhiyallahu Anha): “He is at Arqam's place.”
Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu): “By Allah! I will not eat anything until I have looked at him.”
Now, his mother was very anxious to feed him. She knew that when he had sworn by Allah he would not break his oath and, therefore, would not eat under any circumstance. She therefore agreed to take him to Arqam's place. She had to wait till the street was least-frequented by the people and she was able to take him to that place undetected by Quraysh. When they both reached Arqam's place, Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallaho Anhu) saw Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wasallam) and clung to him weeping profusely. Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wasallam) also began to cry, and all the Muslims who were present there also began to weep bitterly over the condition of Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu). Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) then introduced his mother Umme Khair to Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi wasallam), saying: “She is my mother, 0 Nabi of Allah! Pray for her and encourage her to accept Islam.” Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) first prayed for her and then preached to her. She accepted Islam there and then.
Both the parents of Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu), his father Abu Quhaafa and his mother Umme Khair, had accepted Islam. Umme Khair accepted Islam in the beginning periods of Islam, while Abu Quhaafa accepted Islam during the period of the conquest of Makkah Mukarramah. Abu Quhaafa lived to see the khilaafat of Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu), and passed away approximately six months after him Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu). [1]
[1] البداية و النهاية، تاريخ الخلفاء، حياة الصحابة، فضائل أعمال
