Muslim Heroes: As-Siddiq

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Alhamdulillah, last week I had the chance to attend the fourth session of Heroes 3: The Rightly Guided Caliphs. As you can see in the picture above. The talk revolve about Abu Bakr As-Siddiq and was given by Ustaz Abdullah Hakeem from Australia.

Just want to share what did I get from this talk. What we should learn from Abu Bakr.

So let's start. 

What was the real name of Abu Bakr? Anybody knows?

His real name was Abdul Kaabah bin Uthman, but later was changed into Abdullah bin Uthman. The name Abdullah was given by Rasulullah himself.

Before Islam, Abu Bakr was an experts in poetry. He was very eloquent in poetry. In that time, poetry can manipulate peoples' minds just like media now.

He passed away because of sickness from long fever.

Thing we should learn from Abu Bakr As-Siddiq RA

1) Accepting and obeying the truth.

Sami'na wa ato'na.

When Abu Bakr was young, he went to pray from idols around the Kaabah.

The first time he came, he prayed to get beautiful clothing, but nothing happens.

The second time he came, he prayed to get delicious food because he was so hungry, but also nothing happens. 

He did not get anything from the idols. He lost his patience, the third time he came to the idols, he came with a rock. He said "now, can you save yourselves from me." Then, he smashed the idols with the rock.

He then believed that there is only one God. Only one powerful God. This leads him to easily embrace Islam.

Rasulullah SAW was so happy when Abu Bakr embrace Islam. He was very powerful that he had led many of other companions such as Uthman bin Affan to Islam.

"Whatever he's saying, that is the truth." - Abu Bakr As-Siddiq 

The kunya "As-Siddiq" was given to Abu Bakr after Israk wal Mikraj.

So, if the truth come to us, we must accept and obey it with no more doubts just like Abu Bakr As-Siddiq did.

2) Gain, implement and spread knowledge

Iqra' (Al-Alaq). Qum (Al-Muzzammil). Qum (Al-Muddathir).

Read to gain knowledge. Implement the knowledge such as night prayers. Spread the knowledge, dakwah.

The knowledges are to benefit Islam, the ummah and the world.

Ustaz Abdullah Hakeem then shared story about his schoolmate, who is always cheerful and vibrant. He smiles all the time, when the Solah time come, he will invite and remind all of his muslims brothers to perform Solah. 

Sometimes, the non-Muslim came and asked, "Why is he always smiling? Doesn't he have any problems in his life?"

There (Ustaz Abdullah school at Australia), Muslims, were only the minor. Sometimes the non-Muslims will ask about Wudhu', Solah, Hijab etc.

So, Ustaz Abdullah emphasized that, we must KNOW about Islam. If we don't know, then GAIN the knowledge, after we know we must IMPLEMENT and SPREAD it.

Alhamdulillah, through Ustaz Abdullah's schoolmate, some of the non-Muslims had embraced Islam.

3) Steadfast in Islam

In time of calamity

In time of hardships

After Rasululllah SAW died, Muslims community got into confusion. Umar could not believe what he has heard from the Muslims.

Then, Abu Bakr spoke to the confused Ummah. He read Quran verse [Ali Imran, 3: 144]. Abu Bakr made the confuse Muslims steadfast in Islam. He calmed Umar.

In the time he became the Caliph, Abu Bakr fought whoever denied Salah and Zakah untill they were no more apostates.

4) Have mercy and generosity 

Abu Bakr is the most compassionate. He freed slaves such as Bilal ibn Rabah, Ammar bin Yasir and the others. His father asked him about his action, he could have freed the strong slaves to protect him, used them for his own benefits, but why he freed the weak slaves? He answered, his action is for no other reason than just to please Allah SWT.

He loves to give sadaqah. Once, when poverty came, Umar Al-Khattab want to beat Abu Bakr in terms of sadaqah, so Umar gave half of his wealth, but Umar lost, Abu Bakr gave ALL of his wealth.

"You have made the Muslims hard to follow your ways." - Umar Al-Khattab 

5) Use your intellect and occupation to serve Islam

Abu Bakr has great potential. He was an experts of poetry and was very eloquent in poetry. In other words, he has great mastery of Arabic language. So after Islam, he is very eloquent in reciting the Quran. He has deep understanding of the meaning of the Quran.

For example, Abu Bakr cried after heard Surah An-Nasr because he understood that Rasulullah death is near.

So, he used his intellect to serve Islam. He implemented and spread the knowledge of Quran. As a Caliph, he always act according to the Quran wa Sunnah and consult his council (Syura).

Ask yourselves, how can your occupation serve Islam? How can your talent benefit Islam?
How can engineering, medicine, education, graphic design, finance, welding etc benefit Islam?

Whatever you are doing, keep your intention for the sake of Allah.

6) Be the best companion

Be just like Abu Bakr, the best friend of Rasulullah. He provided comfort, protected him, supported him, believed the truth from him.

When he was told to migrate, he said that he wanted to be with Rasulullah to protect and support him. He risked his life when Hijrah. He also shielded Rasulullah from arrows in battle.

"When the unbelievers drove him out, he had no more than one companion. The two were in the Cave, and he said to his companion, Fear not, for Allah is with us." [At-Tawbah, 9: 40]

When our brothers and sisters face hardships and have troubles, help them out!

"Without knowledge action is useless, without action, knowledge is futile..." - Abu Bakr As-Siddiq

"...to fight against your evil side is the greater jihad." - Abu Bakr As-Siddiq


May Allah guided us just like He guided the Rightly Guided Caliphs, Khulafa' Ar-Raasyidin.