Acceptance of Islam and service of Islam:
Hazrat Abu Bakr was the first to accept Islam as a full grown man. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) gave him the title of 'Siddiq' because he believed in Meraj. He spent a lot of money on the construction of the mosque and residence of the Holy Prophet (S) in Madinah, Tabuk campaign and Badr, Uhud and Khandak. Hazrat Umar (RA) said "No one can surpass Abu Bakr in the service of Islam." He followed the Holy Prophet (S) like a shadow in his most difficult moments. Even in the great crisis of Hijrah, the Holy Prophet (S) accepted Abu Bakr as his faithful friend. For such help of Abu Bakr, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) declared, "If I had called anyone other than Allah my friend, I would have called Abu Bakr (RA) my friend." Hazrat (PBUH) was so pleased with Abu Bakr. It happened that he prayed many times during his imamate.
Defense of the Caliphate:
Historical p. K. "After the death of Muhammad (pbuh), the question of caliphate was the first problem of Islam," said Hitti. A controversy arose over this. After the death of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) in 632 AD, there was great tension about who would be the Caliph of the Muslims. Even the burial of the holy body of the Prophet (PBUH) did not take place before this issue was resolved properly. Abu Bakr (R.A.) was elected Caliph by the people during this difficult period of Islam and solved all the problems properly. William Moore said, “Disagreement in election meant the division of Islam and the result of Islam in that situation was destruction.
Suppression of Hypocrites:
The success of the prophethood of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) instilled in many people the desire to attain prophethood. Towards the end of his life some Bhandanbis emerged in different parts of the country and their demands reached a climax with Nabiji's death. Chief among them were Aswad Ansi, Musaylama, Tolayha and Sajah. Then Aswad Ansi was killed by Firoz Daylami during the time of Muhammad (pbuh). Later, Aru Bakr (ra) led several successful campaigns led by Khalid bin Walid and some Muslim generals and saved Islam from a great danger by suppressing Musaylama in the battles of Tolayha, Sajah and Yamama.
Resisting the movement of self-religionists:
And soon after the caliphate of Aru Bakr (RA), the Ridda movement became widespread. In Moore's words "the Arabian Peninsula began to revert to its former religion." Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) then realized that if he could not resist the movement of apostates in the entire peninsula, it would be difficult to protect Islam inside the country, let alone spread Islam abroad. So he suppressed them by fighting with courage and determination. P. K. "Most of Abu Bakr's short reign was marred by the so-called Bidda wars," says Hitti.
State Expansion:
Abu Bakr (ra) not only prevented the internal disunity of Islam but he also concentrated on expanding the kingdom by keeping Arabia free from external enemy attacks. He marched into Persia under the leadership of Musanna and Khalid bin Walid and conquered the Diamond Kingdom. On the other hand, the Muslim army was divided into four divisions under the leadership of Shorahbil, Am, Yazid and Abu Obaidah and marched into Syria. They united and inflicted a heavy defeat on the Greek forces at the Battle of Aznadina. In this way, Abu Bakr resisted the attacks of foreign enemies, widened the path of Persia and the Roman Empire, and extended the boundaries of the caliphate to the territory of Iraq and Syria.
Guardian of the Quran:
About 300 Hafiz were martyred in the Battle of Yamama during the suppression of the hypocrite Musaylama during the reign of Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA). As a result, there is concern about the preservation of the Holy Quran. For this reason, Abu Bakr (RA) formed a Qur'an compilation committee under the leadership of a companion named Zayd bin Thabit on the advice of Hazrat Umar (RA). This committee collected the words of the Quran and recorded them in book form.
He is the guardian of the Shura or Medina state:
Abu Bakr (ra) was the epitome of democracy. After the death of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), he was elected as the first caliph of Islam in 632 AD and saved the Muslim state and Islam from the impending danger. Syed Amir Ali said, “Abu Bakr was modest and firm and devoted all his energies to the governance of the new state and the welfare of the people. He used to run the state based on Quran and Sunnah with the help of Council of Ministers. By making the king under the law of the land and the law of the land under the will of the people, and giving full freedom and equal rights, Abu Bakr (RA) established true democratic government. He was the first to establish 'Baytul Maal' to alleviate the plight of the poor. Hazrat Ali (RA) said, "The best person after Biswanbir is Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA)." Basically, by doing these things, he strengthened the foundation of the newly formed Madinah state.
Evaluation:
Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) ensured the internal peace and security of the state. He protected the Shishu Rashtra of Madinah from outsiders and also increased its size. Historian Masudi said "In fact, in the terrible situation that arose after the death of the Holy Prophet (S), without a caliph like Abu Bakr, Islam and the Islamic state would not have been saved." , the suppression of anti-zakat and the way he saved the country from the attacks of internal and external enemies, he can undoubtedly be called the 'Savior of Islam'.
Character of Hazrat Abu Bakr:
Sweetness of Character: Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) was the epitome of great ideals. His manners were so simple and straightforward that many Companions including Hazrat Umar, Osman, Ali ranked him after the Holy Prophet (S). He was generous in heart and very sympathetic towards the poor and needy. His humanity, determination, wisdom and prudence have written a bright chapter in the history of the world.
Characteristic Strength:
Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) was very determined in character. His firmness of character is evidenced in impartial judgment, fearless administration of the state. Considering the situation at that time, some Companions including Hazrat Umar (RA) proposed to exempt the Bedouins from paying Zakat. But because of his characteristic tenacity, Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) ignored this proposal and declared war against those who refused to pay Zakat. After becoming Caliph, he agreed to accept an annual allowance of 6,000 dirhams at the request of the Companions. But he was so distressed at the time of his death by accepting the money that he ordered the sale of some of his possessions to repay the money.
Champion of Democracy:
Abu Bakr (ra) was the epitome of democracy. He governed the state on the basis of Quran and Sunnah with the help of Shura or Council of Ministers. By placing the king under the law of the land and the law of the land under the will of the people, and giving full freedom and equal rights, Abu Bakr (RA) founded true democratic government. Philanthropic and Faithful: The first Caliph of Islam, Abu Bakr (RA) was known as 'Atik' or charitable. He has set an immortal example by donating all his wealth towards the cost of the Tabuk. He was the first adult male to convert to Islam and was the first to believe in Meraj, for which the Prophet (PBUH) gave him the title of 'Siddiq' or believer.
