Love for Prophet Mohammad

wealth for the cause of Islam. In later years he paid large monetarily compensations to free the Muslim slaves.

Because of Abu Bakr‟s persuasion many dignitaries of Banu Umayya, Banu Asad, Banu Zuhrah and Banu Taym accepted Islam. Among these dignitaries are Usman ibn Affan, Az-Zubayr ibn al-Awam Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf, Sa‟d ibn Abi Waqqas and Talhah ibn Ubaydullah. All of them are included in the list of ten noble Companions of the Holy Prophet who were promised paradise. In short, all the efforts and persuasion of Abu Bakr tremendously strengthened Islam. Abu Bakr used his wealth to pay compensation for the release of many incapacitated slaves of which Bilal ibn Rabah is worth mentioning. Abu Bakr spent his wealth munificently not only for emancipation of slaves and to prosper Islam but also to serve Prophet Mohammad. His such efforts increased the number of Muslims and also resolved a lot of their financial problems.

When Prophet Mohammad officially started inviting people towards Islam, the infidels opposed him with full force. Despite all opposition, Abu Bakr always requested the Holy Prophet to openly invite people towards Islam and spread its teachings even though Muslims at the time were only thirty-nine and nonMuslims were in majority.

Keeping in view Abu Bakr‟s request, Prophet Mohammad aimed to persuade people towards Islam openly. Hence, one day Prophet Mohammad and Abu Bakr went to Kaaba. Abu Bakr invited people towards Allah and His last Prophet. This was the first time ever that someone had proclaimed Islam inside the boundary of Kaaba. The infidels got very furious and they knocked Abu Bakr down on the ground and started hitting him. Utbah ibn Rabi‟ah even hit on his face. Seeing this, people from

Abu Bakr‟s tribe came forward to save him and took him home. Other Companions of the Holy Prophet took him to a secure place. In the evening, when Abu Bakr regained consciousness, the first thing he inquired was, “How is Prophet Mohammad?” At first his mother said that she had no knowledge about him. Later, through Fatimah bint Khattab he found out that the Prophet was safe and sound. Abu Bakr inquired again, “Where is the Prophet?” He was told that the Prophet was at the house of al-Arqam ibn Abi‟l Arqam11. Abu Bakr then insisted that he would not eat or drink anything until he sees the Prophet. His mother took him to Prophet Mohammad. On seeing Abu Bakr in such a misery, Prophet Mohammad‟s eyes filled with tears and he kissed him on forehead.

Abu Bakr‟s mother had not adopted Islam till then but that day she herself took her son to the court of Prophet Mohammad. Abu Bakr requested the Prophet to pray for her. He prayed for her, hence she adopted Islam. Abu Bakr was among the closest Companions of the Holy Prophet and the one who could unreluctantly sacrifice his life for him. He took part in many battles alongside the Prophet. That is why he was considered an experienced general in the army of Prophet Mohammad. Abu Bakr‟s love for Islam and Prophet Mohammad can be determined by an incident. Once his son Abd al-Rahman said that when he had not embraced Islam and they were opponents in the Battle of Badr, his father (Abu Bakr) came under his sword but he let him go because of the blood relationship. On hearing that, Abu Bakr immediately replied, “I swear to God! Had you been under my sword, I would have killed you.

11 It was a safe house to avoid harassment by the disbelievers of Makkah in the early stages of Islam. There the Prophet of Islam would meet converts to pray and teach about faith.