After reciting Tashahhud, Ta‘awwuz and Surah al-Fatihah, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) said that he would continue highlighting incidents from the life of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra).
The First Task After Reaching Madinah
His Holiness (aba) said that after arriving in Madinah, the Holy Prophet (sa) first turned his attention towards the building of a mosque. The Holy Prophet (sa) purchased a plot of land for 10 dinars, and after preparing the land, the Holy Prophet (sa) prayed and laid the foundation stone of the mosque. Then, the Holy Prophet (sa) himself would help in the construction of the mosque. It is recorded that the amount paid for purchasing that land was taken from the wealth of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra).
His Holiness (aba) said that when the Holy Prophet (sa) laid a foundation stone, he instructed Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) to place a stone beside his, then he told Hazrat Umar (ra) to place a stone beside Hazrat Abu Bakr’s (ra), and then he instructed Hazrat Uthman (ra) to place a stone beside Hazrat Umar’s (ra).
His Holiness (aba) said that when the Holy Prophet (sa) was assigning land to the companions to build their homes, the Holy Prophet (sa) assigned Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) a place near the mosque.
Establishing the Bonds of Brotherhood
His Holiness (aba) said that the Holy Prophet (sa) established a bond of brotherhood between Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) and Hazrat Umar (ra) while they were in Makkah. It is recorded that the Holy Prophet (sa) established bonds of brotherhood twice, once before migration and once after. Upon migration, the Holy Prophet (sa) only maintained two bonds of brotherhood; that between him and Hazrat Ali (ra), and that between Hazrat Hamzah (ra) and Hazrat Zaid (ra). New bonds of brotherhood were established for other companions.
Consultation With the Muslims Prior to the Battle of Badr
His Holiness (aba) said that when the Holy Prophet (sa) set out for Badr, it was to intercept a Makkan trade caravan returning from Syria. In the meantime, the Holy Prophet (sa) learned that an army had deployed from Makkah to protect the trade caravan. The Holy Prophet (sa) consulted with his companions and they presented varying opinions as to whether they should combat the army that had set out or continue the course for the trade caravan. It is recorded that it was for this moment that the following verse was revealed:
“As it was thy Lord Who rightfully brought thee forth from thy house, while a party of the believers were averse, therefore He helped thee against thy enemy.” (8:6)
His Holiness (aba) said that after this, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) stood and spoke in support, and then so too did Hazrat Umar (ra). Hazrat Miqdad (ra) said that they would support the Holy Prophet (sa) in whatever he was commanded to do by God.
His Holiness (aba) said that once they reached the land of Badr, the companions erected a tent for the Holy Prophet (sa) and said that he should remain in the tent while they went to battle. Some companions then stood guard outside the tent. The Holy Prophet (sa) and Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) both spent the night in this tent; Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) stood guard with his sword unsheathed, while the Holy Prophet (sa) spent the night supplicating before God.
His Holiness (aba) said that once, Hazrat Ali (ra) asked some people who was the bravest among the Muslims. They replied that it was Hazrat Ali (ra). However, Hazrat Ali (ra) said it was Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra), for on the day of Badr when it was being decided who would guard the Holy Prophet (sa), Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) stood by the Holy Prophet (sa) despite the danger with his sword unsheathed, so that anyone who wished to get to the Holy Prophet (sa) would have to go through him first.
Allah Almighty’s Support As the Muslims Are Greatly Outnumbered
His Holiness (aba) said that when the Holy Prophet (sa) saw the enemy heavily outweighed the Muslims, he turned in the direction of the Ka’bah and began praying, saying that if God were to cause the Muslims to be defeated, then there would be no one left on the earth to worship Him. As the Holy Prophet (sa) was praying, his cloak fell, and Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) placed it back on his shoulders, saying that God would surely fulfil His promise. Then, the following verse was revealed to the Holy Prophet (sa):
“When you implored the assistance of your Lord, and He answered you, saying, ‘I will assist you with a thousand of the angels, following one another.’” (8:10)
His Holiness (aba) said that then, God caused it to rain which in turn caused the ground under the Makkans to soften and the Makkans lost their footing, while the Muslims’ remained firm. Thus, God was manifesting His divine help, and all the while, the Holy Prophet (sa) continued praying.
His Holiness (aba) said later, the Holy Prophet (sa) came out from the tent and encouraged the Muslims. The Holy Prophet (sa) also valiantly fought in the battle, while Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) fought bravely alongside him. Once, at a later time, Hazrat Abu Bakr’s (ra) son who had not accepted Islam at the time of the battle, told his father that he had been hiding behind a rock and could have attacked his father but he didn’t. Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) said that for the sake of the Holy Prophet (sa), he would not have held back, but because God had decreed for his son to later accept Islam, He saved him.
Treatment of the Prisoners of War
His Holiness (aba) said that upon returning to Madinah, the Holy Prophet (sa) consulted as to what should be done with the prisoners of war. Generally, it was customary for Arabs to kill such prisoners, however this did not sit well with the Holy Prophet (sa), and no such commandment had been revealed in this regard. Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) suggested that they should be freed upon expiration, for it could be that some of then would accept Islam later on. Hazrat Umar (ra) differed with this opinion, and said that those people had committed crimes which warranted their end. However, due to his kind nature, the Holy Prophet (sa) preferred the advice given by Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra), and later, divine command also supported this decision.
His Holiness (aba) said that once, while in Madinah, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) and other companions fell ill. Hazrat A’ishah (ra) would go to check on her father, who said that death is closer to a person than the laces on their shoes. Upon learning this, the Holy Prophet (sa) prayed that may Allah make Madinah as dear to them as Makkah was, and may He remove the illness that had spread.
Support and Oath of the Muslims to the Holy Prophet (sa) During the Battle of Uhud
His Holiness (aba) said with regards to the Battle of Uhud, that when the Holy Prophet (sa) learned of the Makkans’ plot to attack Madinah, he consulted with the companions regarding whether they should stay in Madinah or go out to meet the enemy. Some suggested that they should stay in Madinah and defend from there, and the Holy Prophet (sa) initially supported this view. However, others insisted that they should go outside of Madinah and combat the enemy. Seeing their passion, the Holy Prophet (sa) made a decision according to their advice, and instructed that they would defend against the enemy on open grounds. Later, those who had insisted regretted having insisted so much, and when the Holy Prophet (sa) returned with his armour on, they expressed their regret and said that they would do whatever the Holy Prophet (sa) decided. The Holy Prophet (sa) said that it did not behove a prophet to remove his armour after having put it on, and that they would proceed.
His Holiness (aba) said that during the battle, the Holy Prophet (sa) took an oath from certain companions that they would fight even to their deaths if they had to. Thus, these companions fought valiantly to defend the Holy Prophet (sa), among whom was Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra). It was also at this time that Hazrat Talhah (ra) sacrificed his hand, so that no arrow could reach the Holy Prophet (sa).
His Holiness (aba) said that it was also during the Battle of Uhud that some of the Holy Prophet’s (sa) teeth were broken. When Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) rushed to the Holy Prophet (sa), he saw that he was also bleeding and the rings of his armour had lodged into his blessed face, yet the Holy Prophet (sa) said that they should first tend to Hazrat Talhah (ra) who was injured.
His Holiness (aba) said that Abu Sufyan, who was leading the Makkan army proclaimed that they had killed the Holy Prophet (sa), however the Holy Prophet (sa) instructed the Muslims not to say anything. He also said the same about Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) and Hazrat Umar (ra), yet the Holy Prophet (sa) instructed them to remain silent. Upon this, the Makkans began glorifying one of their idols. Hearing this, the Holy Prophet (sa) looked to the companions and asked why they were not responding, and instructed them to glorify Allah.
His Holiness (aba) said that he would continue highlighting these incidents in future sermons.
Summary prepared by The Review of Religions
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