ABU BAKR

among the first to believe in Muhammad. Some think that his name means "the father of the maiden", and that he received this title because he was the father of `Aisha, whom Muhammad married at the age "when she was till playing with dolls." His original name was `Abdul Ka'bah ("slave of the Ka'aba") Ibn Abi Quhafah, which Muhammad changed to Abdullah ("slave of Allah").

Abu Bakr was known to be a benevolent man, and he became the first Caliph after the death of Muhammad, but he reigned only for two years. He also earned the title of al-Siddiq ("the truthful"). Shiites maintained that his election to the Caliphate is not by a majority opinion of the compananions (Sahih Bukhari 8.817). It is said that Ali, the son-in-law of Muhamamd, refused to give his allegiance to Abu Bakr for six months. After his wife, Fatima died, Ali gave in (Sahih Bukhari 5.546)

There is a clan in Al-Medina Al-Menawara, called Bakris, that traced their ancestry to him. He was said to have two sons and two daughters. By age their names are

1. Asma'aa (Zat Alneetagain or the one with the two belts) It was said that this title was bestowed on her because she used to carry food to Muhammad and Abu Bakr when they were hiding in Jabal Thour in Makkah Al Mukkrama. She was married to Zubair Ibn Al-awam. Her son is Abdullah Ibn Alzoobair who was killed by Yazid Army led by Alhajjaj Ibn Yosef.
2. Umm Al Mo'me'neen Aisha the wife of Muhammed, who married him when she was as a child. She was also the source of many hadiths.
3. Abdulrahman.
4. Muhammad, who was involved in assassinating the third caliph, Uthman.

Abu Bakr reigned as first Caliph after Muhammad's death from AD 632-634. He tolerated Christian communities in Arabia during his reign as long as they submitted to the political authority of Islam. Christians in Najran were tolerated. He, however, fought against those who withheld the required tax imposed on non-Muslim. He died on August 22nd, A.D. 634. However, it is interesting to note that Muhammad was unsure if Abu Bakr will go to paradise (Sahih Bukhari 4.94, Sahih Bukhari 4.439, Sahih Bukhari 5.18 ). However, Sahih Bukhari 5.23 says that Muhammad says that Abu Bakr is admitted. Another hadith (Sahih Bukhari 5.42, Sahih Bukhari 5.44, Sahih Bukhari 8.235 ) made it clear that this pronouncement was made before Abu Bakr was recognized at the gate. Sahih Bukhari 5.157 says the only person Muhammad said admitted to paradise is `Abdullah b. Salam.

- election to the Caliphate, Sahih Bukhari 8.817

- fought those who refused to pay tax,

> Narrated Abu Huraira:

> When Allah's Apostle died and Abu Bakr became the caliph some Arabs renegade (reverted to disbelief) (Abu Bakr decided to declare war against them), 'Umar, said to Abu Bakr, "How can you fight with these people although Allah's Apostle said, 'I have been ordered (by Allah) to fight the people till they say: "None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and whoever said it then he will save his life and property from me except on trespassing the law (rights and conditions for which he will be punished justly), and his accounts will be with Allah.' " Abu Bakr said, "By Allah! I will fight those who differentiate between the prayer and the Zakat as Zakat is the compulsory right to be taken from the property (according to Allah's orders) By Allah! If they refuse to pay me even a she-kid which they used to pay at the time of Allah's Apostle. I would fight with them for withholding it" Then 'Umar said, "By Allah, it was nothing, but Allah opened Abu Bakr's chest towards the decision (to fight) and I came to know that his decision was right." (Sahih Bukhari 2.483)

The revolt took almost two years to put down.

- Muhammad's opinion of Abu Bakr, Sahih Bukhari 1.456, Sahih Bukhari 1.455

- softhearted, cried during Qur'an recitation, Sahih Bukhari 1.465

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