Editing Abu Bakr

{{Short description|First caliph of Rashidun Caliphate from 632 to 634}}
{{About|the first caliph|3=Abu Bakr (disambiguation)}}
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{{Use British English|date=September 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox royalty
| name         = Abu Bakr{{break}}{{lang|ar|أَبُو بَكْر}}
| title        = {{transliteration|ar|[[List of caliphs|Khalifat Rasul Allah]]}}<br />{{transliteration|ar|[[Islamic honorifics#Muhammad's companions|Raḍiya Ilāhu ʿAnhū]]}}
| image        = 20131203 Istanbul 091.jpg
| image_size   = 220px
| caption      = Calligraphic seal featuring Abu Bakr's name, on display in the [[Hagia Sophia]], [[Istanbul]]
| succession   = 1st [[Caliph]] of the [[Rashidun Caliphate]]
| reign        = 8 June 632{{snd}}23 August 634
| cor-type     = [[Coronation|Bayah]]
| predecessor  = ''Position established''<br />([[Muhammad]] as Islamic Prophet)
| successor    = [[Umar]]
| spouse       = {{plainlist|
* [[Qutaylah bint Abd al-Uzza|Qutayla bint Abd al-Uzza]]
* [[Umm Ruman]] 
* [[Asma bint Umais]] 
* [[Family tree of Abu Bakr#Descendants|Habibah bint Kharijah]]}}
| issue        = {{plainlist|
* [[Asma bint Abi Bakr|Asma]]
* [[Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr|Abd al-Rahman]]
* [[Abd Allah ibn Abi Bakr|Abd Allah]]
* [[Aisha]]
* [[Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr|Muhammad]]
* [[Umm Kulthum bint Abi Bakr|Umm Kulthum]]}}
| full name    = Abd Allah ibn Abi Quhafa<br/>{{Lang|ar|
عَبْد ٱللَّٰه بْن أَبِي قُحَافَة}}
| father       = [[Abu Quhafa]]
| mother       = [[Salma Umm al-Khayr|Umm al-Khayr]]
{{Infobox|child=yes
| label1 = Brothers
| data1  = {{Plainlist|
* Mu'taq{{efn|Presumably the middle}}
* Utaiq{{efn|Presumably the youngest}}
* Quhafah
}}
| label2 = Sisters
| data2  = 
{{plainlist|
* Fadra
* Qareeba
* Umm Amir
}}
| label3 = Tribe
| data3  = [[Quraysh]] ([[Banu Taym]])
}}
| birth_name   = Abd Allah ibn Abi Quhafa
| birth_date   = {{circa|573}}
| birth_place  = [[Mecca]], [[Hejaz]], [[Pre-Islamic Arabia|Arabia]]
| death_date   = {{Death date and age|634|8|23|573|10|27|df=y}} ({{small|22 [[Jumada al-Thani]] 13 [[Hijri year|AH]]}})
| death_place  = [[Medina]], Hejaz, [[Rashidun Caliphate]]
| burial_place = [[Al-Masjid an-Nabawi]], Medina
| occupation   = Businessman, public administrator, economist
| religion     = [[Islam]]
}}

'''Abd Allah ibn Abi Quhafa'''{{efn|{{Langx|ar|عبد الله بن أبي قحافة|translit=ʿAbd Allāh ibn ʾAbī Quḥāfa}}}} ({{Circa|573}}{{snd}}23 August 634), better known by his ''[[Kunya (Arabic)|kunya]]'' '''Abu Bakr''',{{efn|{{Langx|ar|أبو بكر|translit=ʾAbū Bakr}}}} was a senior [[Sahaba|companion]], the closest friend, and father-in-law of [[Muhammad]]. He served as the first [[caliph]] of the [[Rashidun Caliphate]], ruling from 632 until his death in 634. Abu Bakr was granted the honorific title ''al-Ṣiddīq''{{efn|{{Langx|ar|
الصِّدِّيق}}}} (lit. the Veracious) by Muhammad, a designation that continues to be used by [[Sunni Muslims]] to this day.

Born to [[Abu Quhafa]] and [[Umm al-Khayr]] of the [[Banu Taym]], Abu Bakr was amongst the [[Early Muslims|earliest converts]] to [[Islam]] and propagated [[dawah]] to the [[Mushrikites]]. He was considered the first [[Da'i|Muslim missionary]] as several [[companions of the Prophet|companions of Muhammad]] converted through Abu Bakr. He accompanied Muhammad on his [[Hegira|migration to Medina]] and became one of his [[Haras (unit)|bodyguards]]. Abu Bakr participated in all of [[List of expeditions of Muhammad|Muhammad's campaigns]] and served as the first {{Transliteration|ar|[[amir al-hajj]]}} in 631. In the absence of Muhammad, Abu Bakr led the prayers.

Following Muhammad's death in 632, Abu Bakr [[Succession to Muhammad|succeeded the leadership]] of the Muslim community as the first caliph, being elected at [[Saqifa]]. His election was contested by a number of rebellious tribal leaders. During his reign, he overcame a number of uprisings, collectively known as the [[Ridda Wars|Ridda wars]], as a result of which he was able to consolidate and expand the rule of the Muslim state over the entire [[Arabian Peninsula]]. He also commanded the initial incursions into the neighbouring [[Sasanian Empire|Sasanian]] and [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine empires]], which in the years following his death, would eventually result in the Muslim [[Muslim conquest of Persia|conquests of Persia]] and [[Muslim conquest of the Levant|the Levant]]. Apart from politics, Abu Bakr is also credited for the compilation of the [[Quran]], of which he had a personal caliphal codex. Prior to dying in August 634, Abu Bakr nominated [[Umar]] ({{Reign|634|644}}) as his successor. Along with Muhammad, Abu Bakr is buried in the [[Green Dome]] at the [[Al-Masjid an-Nabawi]] in [[Medina]], the [[Holiest sites in Islam|second holiest site in Islam]]. He died of illness after a reign of 2 years, 2 months and 14 days, the only Rashidun caliph to die of natural causes.

Though Abu Bakr's reign was brief, it included successful invasions of the two most powerful empires of the time, the [[Sassanian Empire]] and the [[Byzantine Empire]]. He set in motion a historical trajectory that, within a few decades, would lead to the establishment of one of the largest empires in history. His decisive victory over the local Arab rebel forces marks a significant chapter in [[Islamic history]]. [[Sunni Islam|Sunni tradition]] revere Abu Bakr as the first of the [[Rashidun Caliphate|Rashidun caliphs]] and the greatest individual after the [[Prophets and messengers in Islam|prophets and messengers]]. [[Twelver Shi'ism|Shia tradition]] views Abu Bakr as an usurper of the caliphate and an adversary of the {{Transliteration|ar|[[ahl al-bayt]]}}.

== Lineage and titles ==
{{Main|Family tree of Abu Bakr}}

According to [[Ibn Sa'd]], Abu Bakr's full name was Abdullah ibn [[Uthman Abu Quhafa|Abi Quhafa]] ibn Amer ibn Amr ibn Ka'ab ibn Sa'ad ibn [[Banu Taym|Taym]] ibn [[Murrah ibn Ka'b|Murrah]] ibn [[Ka'b ibn Lu'ayy|Ka'b]] ibn [[Lu'ayy ibn Ghalib|Lu'ayy]] ibn [[Ghalib ibn Fihr|Ghalib]] ibn [[Fihr ibn Malik|Fihr]] ibn [[Malik ibn al-Nadr|Malik]] ibn [[Al-Nadr ibn Kinanah|Al-Nader]] ibn [[Kinanah ibn Khuzayma|Kinanah]] ibn [[Khuzayma ibn Mudrika|Khouzayma]] ibn [[Mudrikah ibn Ilyas|Mudrikah]] ibn [[Ilyas ibn Mudar|Ilyas]] ibn [[Mudar ibn Nizar|Mudhar]] ibn [[Nizar ibn Ma'add|Nizar]] ibn [[Ma'add]] ibn [[Adnanites|Adnan]].<ref>[[Ibn Sa'd#Kitāb al-Ṭabaqāt al-Kabīr|Tabaqat ibn Sa'd]] 3/ 169</ref> This lineage meets the lineage of [[Muhammad]] at the sixth generation with [[Murrah ibn Ka'b]].

=== Abdullah ===
In [[Arabic]], the name ''Abd Allah'' means "servant of [[Allah]]". This is his birth name.

=== Abu Bakr ===
This nickname ([[Kunya (Arabic)|kunya]]) was given to him as a child when he grew up among a Bedouin tribe and developed a fondness for camels. He played with the camel calves and goats, earning this nickname "Abu Bakr", meaning "father of the young camel." A "bakr" in Arabic is a young but already fully grown camel.

=== Ateeq ===
One of his early titles, preceding his conversion to Islam, was ''Ateeq'' meaning "saved one". In a weak narration in Tirmidhi,<ref name="ateeqhadith">{{cite web |title=Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3679 - Chapters on Virtues - كتاب المناقب عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم - Sunnah.com - Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) |url=https://sunnah.com/tirmidhi:3679 |website=sunnah.com |access-date=2 October 2023}}</ref> Muhammad later restated this title when he said that Abu Bakr is the "Ateeq of Allah from the fire" meaning "saved" or "secure" and the association with Allah showing how close to and protected he is by Allah.<ref>Abi Na'eem, "Ma'arifat al-sahaba", no. 60</ref>

=== al-Siddiq ===
He was called {{Transliteration|ar|al-Ṣiddīq}} ("the truthful")<ref name="Campo2">{{Cite book |last=Campo |first=Juan Eduardo |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OZbyz_Hr-eIC&pg=PP1 |title=Encyclopedia of Islam |date=15 April 2009 |publisher=[[Infobase|Infobase Publishing]] |isbn=9781438126968 |via=Google Books}}</ref> by Muhammad after he believed him in the event of [[Isra and Mi'raj]] when many people did not, and [[Ali]] confirmed that title several times.<ref>Abi Na'eem, "Ma'arifat al-sahaba", no. 64, 65</ref> He was also reportedly referred to in the [[Quran]] as the "second of the two in the cave" in reference to the event of [[Hijra (Islam)|hijra]], where with Muhammad he hid in the cave in [[Jabal Thawr]] from the [[Mecca]]n party that was sent after them.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=focLrox-frUC&pg=PP1 |title=The New Encyclopedia of Islam |first=Cyril |last=Glassé |date=15 April 2003 |publisher=[[Rowman & Littlefield|Rowman Altamira]] |isbn=9780759101906 |via=Google Books}}</ref>

While traditional sources translate this epithet as "the truthful", an equally likely interpretation is "the tax collector" (i.e., the collector of {{Transliteration|ar|[[Sadaqah|ṣadaqa]]}}).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Donner |first=Fred M. |author-link=Fred Donner |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Muhammad_and_the_Believers/qBzRj7OajmEC?hl=en&gbpv=0 |title=Muhammad and the Believers - At the Origins of Islam |date=2010 |publisher=[[Harvard University Press]] |isbn=978-0-674-05097-6 |page=102 |language=en}}</ref>

=== al-Sahib ===
He was honorifically called "al-sahib" (the companion) in the Qur'an describing his role as a companion of Muhammad when hiding from the Quraysh in the [[Jabal Thawr]] cave during the [[Hijrah|Hijra]] to [[Medina]]:<ref name="sallaby1">{{cite book |last1=محمد الصلابي |first1=علي |title=سيرة أبي بكر الصديق شخصيته وعصره |url=https://www.noor-book.com/%D9%83%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%A8-%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A3%D8%A8%D9%8A-%D8%A8%D9%83%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B5%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%82-%D8%B4%D8%AE%D8%B5%D9%8A%D8%AA%D9%87-%D9%88%D8%B9%D8%B5%D8%B1%D9%87-pdf |access-date=2 October 2023}}</ref>

{{blockquote|˹It does not matter˺ if you ˹believers˺ do not support him, for Allah did in fact support him when the disbelievers drove him out ˹of Mecca˺ and he was only one of two. While they both were in the cave, he reassured '''his companion''', "Do not worry; Allah is certainly with us". So Allah sent down His serenity upon the Prophet, supported him with forces you ˹believers˺ did not see, and made the word of the disbelievers lowest, while the Word of Allah is supreme. And Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.{{qref|9|40|s=y|t=c}}}}

=== Al-Atqā ===
In a [[hadith]] narrated by Ibn Abbas of the exegesis of [[Al-Lail|chapter 92 of the Qur'an]] by imam [[Al-Suyuti]], we find the word "al-atqā" ({{langx|ar|الأتقى}}), meaning "the most pious", "the most righteous", or "the most God-fearing", is referring to Abu Bakr as an example for the believers.<ref name="sallaby1" /><ref name="alduralmanthoor">{{cite web |last1=Al-Suyuti |first1=Jalaladin |title=al-Dur al-Manthoor |url=https://tafsir.app/aldur-almanthoor/92/17 |website=tafsir.app |access-date=2 October 2023}}</ref>

{{blockquote|And so I have warned you of a raging Fire, in which none will burn except the most wretched—who deny and turn away. But '''the righteous''' will be spared from it – who donate ˹some of˺ their wealth only to purify themselves, not in return for someone's favours, but seeking the pleasure of their Lord, the Most High. They will certainly be pleased.{{qref|92|14-21|s=y|t=c}}}}

=== Al-Awwāh ===
"Al-Awwāh" ({{langx|ar|الأواه}}) means someone who supplicates abundantly to God, someone who is merciful and the gentle-hearted. [[Ibrahim al-Nakha'i]] said that Abu Bakr has also been called al-awwāh for his merciful character.<ref name="sallaby1" />

== Early life ==
Abu Bakr was born in [[Mecca]] sometime in 573 to a rich family in the Banu Taym tribe of the [[Quraysh (tribe)|Quraysh]] tribal confederacy.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Islamic Thought: From Mohammed to 11 September 2001 |last=Al-Jubouri |first=I.M.N. |date=2010 |page=53 |isbn=9781453595855 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=owqY-90imMIC&pg=PA53}}</ref> His father was [[Abu Quhafa]] and his mother was [[Umm al-Khayr]].<ref name="Saritoprak">{{cite web |last1=Saritoprak |first1=Zeki |title=Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq |url=http://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780195390155/obo-9780195390155-0221.xml |access-date=12 December 2018 |website=oxfordbibliographies.com |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]}}</ref>

He spent his early childhood like other Arab children of the time, among the [[Bedouin]]s who called themselves ''Ahl-i-Ba'eer'' (the people of the camel) and developed a particular fondness for camels. In his early years, he played with the camel calves and goats, and his love for camels earned him the nickname (''[[Kunya (Arabic)|kunya]]'') "''Abu Bakr''", the father of the camel's calf.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Islam for Nerds – 500 Questions and Answers |last=Drissner |first=Gerald |publisher=createspace |date=2016 |isbn=978-1530860180 |page=432}}</ref><ref>''War and Peace in the Law of Islam'' by [[Majid Khadduri]], translated by Muhammad Yaqub Khan Published 1951 Ahmadiyyah Anjuman Ishaat Islam, original from the [[University of Michigan]], digitised 23 October 2006</ref>

Like other children of the rich Meccan merchant families, Abu Bakr was literate and developed a fondness for [[Arabic poetry|poetry]]. He used to attend the annual fair at [[Souk Okaz|Ukaz]], and participate in poetical symposia. He had a very good memory and had a good knowledge of the [[genealogy]] of the Arab tribes, their stories and their politics.<ref>Al-Zarkali, ''Al-A'lam'', Dar al-Ilm lil Malayeen, 15th edition, May 2002</ref>

A story is preserved that once when he was a child, his father took him to the [[Kaaba]] and asked him to pray before the [[Idolatry|idols]]. His father went away to attend to some other business, and Abu Bakr was left alone. Addressing an idol, Abu Bakr said, "O my God, I am in need of beautiful clothes; bestow them on me". The idol remained indifferent. Then he addressed another idol, saying, "O God, give me some delicious food. See that I am so hungry". The idol remained cold. That exhausted the patience of young Abu Bakr. He lifted a stone, and, addressing an idol, said, "Here I am aiming a stone; if you are a god protect yourself". Abu Bakr hurled the stone at the idol and left the [[Kaaba]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Sidiq-i-Akbar Hazrat Abu Bakr |author=Masud-ul-Hasan |page=2 |publisher=[[Ferozsons]]}}</ref> Regardless, it recorded that prior to converting to Islam, Abu Bakr practiced as a ''[[hanif]]'' and never worshipped idols.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780195390155/obo-9780195390155-0221.xml |title=Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq – Islamic Studies |publisher=[[Oxford Bibliographies Online]] |access-date=13 September 2018}}</ref>

== Companionship of Muhammad ==
[[File:Abu Bakr stops Meccan Mob.jpg|thumb|220px|Abu Bakr Abdullah stops Meccan Mobs, who are against Muslims.]]

On his return from a business trip in [[Yemen (region)|Yemen]], his friends informed him that in his absence, Muhammad had declared himself a [[Prophets and messengers in Islam|messenger of God]]. According to a report of the historian [[Al-Tabari]], in his ''[[History of the Prophets and Kings|Tarikh al-Tabari]]'', Abu Bakr may have converted to Islam after around fifty people, though this is disputed.<ref>Tarikh al-Tabari, vol.2, p. 60</ref> Some [[Sunni]] and all the [[Shi'a]] believe that the second person to publicly accept Muhammed as the messenger of God was Ali ibn Abi Talib, the first being Muhammad's wife [[Khadija bint Khuwaylid|Khadija]].<ref>M. Th. Houtsma et al., eds., ''First [[Encyclopaedia of Islam]], 1913–1936'', [[Brill Publishers|E. J. Brill]], 8 vols with Supplement (vol. 9), 1991 {{ISBN|90-04-09796-1}}</ref> [[Ibn Kathir]], in his book ''[[Al-Bidaya wa l-Nihaya|Al Bidaya Wal Nihayah]]'', disregards this. He stated that the first woman to embrace Islam was Khadija. [[Zayd ibn Harithah]] was the first freed slave to embrace Islam. Ali ibn Abi Talib was the first child to embrace Islam, for he has not even reached the age of puberty at that time, while Abu Bakr was the first free man to embrace Islam.<ref name="archive.org">[https://archive.org/stream/TheBiographyOfAbuBakrAsSiddeeq/TheBiographyOfAbuBakrAs-siddeeq#page/n53/mode/2up The Biography Of Abu Bakr As Siddeeq] by Dr. Ali Muhammad As-Sallaabee (Published 2007)</ref><ref name="brit">{{Cite web |date=19 August 2023 |title=Abu Bakr - Biography & Facts |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Abu-Bakr |website=britannica.com}}</ref><ref name="Saritoprak" /><ref name="Campo2"/>

=== Subsequent life in Mecca ===
His wife [[Qutaylah bint Abd-al-Uzza]] did not accept Islam and he divorced her. His other wife, [[Um Ruman|Umm Ruman]], became a Muslim. All his children accepted Islam except [[Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr|Abd al-Rahman]], from whom Abu Bakr disassociated himself. His conversion also brought many people to Islam. He persuaded his intimate friends to convert,<ref>[[Al-Bidaya wa l-Nihaya]] 3/26</ref><ref>[[Merriam-Webster]]'s ''Encyclopedia of World Religions'' by Wendy Doniger {{ISBN|978-0-87779-044-0}}</ref> and presented Islam to other friends in such a way that many of them also accepted the faith. Those who converted to Islam at the [[dawah]] of Abu Bakr were:<ref name="Ashraf">{{cite book |last1=Ashraf |first1=Shahid |title=Encyclopaedia Of Holy Prophet And Companion (Set Of 15 Vols.) |date=2004 |publisher=Anmol Publications Pvt. Limited |isbn=978-81-261-1940-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QWqctAEACAAJ |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Uthman Ibn Affan]] (who would become the 3rd Caliph)
* [[Zubayr ibn al-Awam|Al-Zubayr]] (who played a part in the [[Muslim conquest of Egypt]])
* [[Talha ibn Ubayd-Allah]], his cousin and an important companion of Muhammad.
* [[Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf]] (who would remain an important part of the [[Rashidun Caliphate]])
* [[Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas]] (who played a leading role in the [[Islamic conquest of Persia]])
* [[Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah]] (who was a commander in chief of the [[Rashidun army]] in Levant)
* [[Abu Salama]] was a foster brother of Muhammad.
* [[Khalid ibn Sa'id]], (who acted as a general under the Rashidun army in Syria)

Abu Bakr's acceptance proved to be a milestone in Muhammad's mission. [[Islamic views on slavery|Slavery]] was common in Mecca, and many slaves accepted Islam. When an ordinary free man accepted Islam, despite opposition, he would enjoy the protection of his tribe. For slaves, however, there was no such protection and they commonly experienced persecution. Abu Bakr felt compassion for slaves, so he purchased eight (four men and four women) and then freed them, paying 40,000 [[dinar]] for their freedom.<ref>[[The Book of the Major Classes|Tabaqat ibn Sa'd]] 3/ 169, 174</ref><ref>[[History of the Prophets and Kings|Tarikh ar-Rusul wa al-Muluk]] 3/ 426</ref> He was known to have freed slaves, including [[Bilal ibn Rabah]], who will became the first [[Muezzin]].

The men were:
* [[Bilal ibn Rabah]]
* [[Abu Fukayha]]
* [[Ammar ibn Yasir]]
* [[Amir ibn Fuhayra]]

The women were:
* [[Lubaynah]]
* [[Al-Nahdiah]]
* [[Umm Ubays]]
* [[Harithah bint al-Muammil]]

Most of the slaves liberated by Abu Bakr were either women or old and frail men.<ref>''The Mohammedan Dynasties: Chronological and Genealogical Tables with Historical Introductions (1894)'' by [[Stanley Lane-Poole]], published by Adamant Media Corporation {{ISBN|978-1-4021-6666-2}}</ref> When his father asked him why he did not liberate strong and young slaves, who could be a source of strength for him, Abu Bakr replied that he was freeing the slaves for the sake of [[Allah|God]], and not for his own sake.

=== Persecution by the Quraysh, 613 ===
{{Main|Persecution of Muslims by the Meccans}}

For three years after the birth of Islam, Muslims kept their faith private. In 613, according to Islamic tradition, Muhammad was commanded by God to call people to Islam openly. The first public address inviting people to offer allegiance to Muhammad was delivered by Abu Bakr.<ref>Muslim persecution of heretics during the marwanid period (64-132/684-750), Judd Steven, ''Al-Masq: Islam & the Medieval Mediterranean'', April 2011, Vol. 23, Issue 1, pp. 1–14.</ref> In a fit of fury, the young men of the [[Quraysh (tribe)|Quraysh]] tribe rushed at Abu Bakr and beat him until he lost consciousness.<ref>''Abu Bakr'' by Atta Mohy-ud-Din, published 1968 S. Chand Original from the University of Michigan, digitised 6 January 2006, [[ASIN]] B0006FFA0O.</ref> Following this incident, his mother converted to Islam. Abu Bakr was persecuted many times by the Quraysh. Though Abu Bakr's beliefs would have been defended by his own clan, it would not be so for the entire Quraysh tribe.

=== Last years in Mecca ===
In 617, the Quraysh enforced a boycott against the [[Banu Hashim]]. Muhammad along with his supporters from Banu Hashim, were cut off in a pass away from [[Mecca]]. All social relations with the Banu Hashim were cut off and their state was that of imprisonment.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 November 2013 |title=The Economic and Social Boycott of the Banu Hashim |url=https://www.al-islam.org/restatement-history-islam-and-muslims-sayyid-ali-asghar-razwy/economic-and-social-boycott-banu |access-date=22 June 2024 |website=al-islam.org |language=en}}</ref> Before it many Muslims migrated to [[Abyssinia]] (now [[Ethiopia]] and [[Eritrea]]). Abu Bakr, feeling distressed, set out for Yemen and then to Abyssinia from there. He met a friend of his named Ad-Dughna (chief of the Qarah tribe) outside Mecca, who invited Abu Bakr to seek his protection against the Qurayshites. Abu Bakr went back to Mecca, it was a relief for him. But soon due to the pressure of the Quraysh, Ad-Dughna was forced to renounce his protection. Once again the Quraysh were free to persecute Abu Bakr.

In 620, Muhammad's uncle and protector, [[Abu Talib ibn Abd al-Muttalib]], and Muhammad's wife [[Khadija bint Khuwaylid|Khadija]] died. Abu Bakr's daughter [[Aisha]] was betrothed to Muhammad; however, it was decided that the actual marriage ceremony would be held later. In 620, Abu Bakr was the first person to testify to Muhammad's [[Isra and Mi'raj]].<ref>''Islam (Exploring Religions)'' by Anne Geldart, published by [[Heinemann (book publisher)|Heinemann Library]], 28 September 2000 {{ISBN|978-0-431-09301-7}}</ref>

=== Migration to Medina ===
{{Main|Hijra (Islam)}}

In 622, on the invitation of the Muslims of Yathrib (later [[Medina]]), Muhammad ordered his followers to migrate there. The migration began in batches. Ali was the last to remain in Mecca, entrusted with responsibility for settling any loans the Muslims had taken out, and famously slept in the bed of Muhammad when the Quraysh, led by [[Ikrima ibn Amr|Ikrima]], attempted to murder Muhammad as he slept. Meanwhile, Abu Bakr accompanied Muhammad to Medina. Due to the danger posed by the Quraysh, they did not take the road but moved in the opposite direction, taking refuge in a cave in [[Jabal Thawr]], some five miles south of Mecca. [[Abd Allah ibn Abi Bakr]], the son of Abu Bakr, would listen to the plans and discussions of the Quraysh, and at night, he would carry the news to the fugitives in the cave. [[Asma bint Abi Bakr]], the daughter of Abu Bakr, brought them meals every day.<ref>''Islamic Culture'' by the Islamic Cultural Board Published 1927 s.n. Original from the University of Michigan, digitised 27 March 2006.</ref> Aamir, a servant of Abu Bakr, would bring a flock of goats to the mouth of the cave every night, where they were milked. The Quraysh sent search parties in all directions. One party came close to the entrance to the cave but was unable to see them. Abu Bakr was referenced in the [[Qur'an]] in verse 40 of {{Transliteration|ar|[[Surah|sura]]}} {{Transliteration|ar|[[at-Tawba]]}}: "If ye help him not, still God helped him when those who disbelieve drove him forth, the {{Transliteration|ar|thaniya ithnayn}} (second of the two i.e. Abu Bakr); when they two were in the cave, when he said unto his {{Transliteration|ar|sahib}} (companion i.e. Abu Bakr).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Surah Taubah Ayat 40 (9:40 Quran) With Tafsir |url=https://myislam.org/surah-taubah/ayat-40/ |access-date=6 February 2024 |website=myislam.org |language=en}}</ref> [[Aisha]], [[Abu Sa'īd al-Khūdrī]] and [[Ibn Abbas]] in interpreting this verse said that Abu Bakr was the companion who stayed with Muhammad in the cave.

After staying at the cave for three days and three nights, Abu Bakr and Muhammad proceed to [[Medina]], staying for some time at Quba, a suburb of Medina.

=== Life in Medina ===
In Medina, Muhammad decided to construct a mosque. A piece of land was chosen and the price of the land was paid for by Abu Bakr. The Muslims, including Abu Bakr, constructed a mosque named [[Al-Masjid al-Nabawi]] at the site. Abu Bakr was paired with Khaarijah bin Zaid Ansari (who was from Medina) as a [[Brotherhood among the Sahabah|brother-in-faith]]. Abu Bakr's relationship with Khaarijah was most cordial, which was further strengthened when Abu Bakr married Habiba, a daughter of Khaarijah.{{citation needed|date=September 2019}} Khaarijah bin Zaid Ansari lived at Sunh, a suburb of Medina, and Abu Bakr also settled there. After Abu Bakr's family arrived in Medina, he bought another house near Muhammad's.<ref>[[Hazrat]] ''Abu Bakr, the First Caliph of Islam'' by Muhammad Habibur Rahman Khan Sherwani, published 1963, Sh. Muhammad Ashraf, original from the [[University of Michigan]], digitised 14 November 2006.</ref>

While the climate of Mecca was dry, the climate of Medina was damp and because of this, most of the migrants fell sick on arrival. Abu Bakr contracted a fever for several days, during which time he was attended to by Khaarijah and his family. In Mecca, Abu Bakr was a wholesale trader in cloth and he started the same business in Medina. He opened his new store at Sunh, and from there cloth was supplied to the market at Medina. Soon his business flourished. Early in 623, Abu Bakr's daughter Aisha, who was already married to Muhammad, was sent on to Muhammad's house after a simple marriage ceremony, further strengthening relations between Abu Bakr and Muhammad.<ref name="Maghazi">Tabqat ibn al-Saad book of Maghazi, p. 62</ref>

=== Military campaigns under Muhammad ===
{{Sunni Islam|Rightly Guided Caliphs}}

=== Battle of Badr ===
{{Main|Battle of Badr}}

In 624, Abu Bakr was involved in the first battle between the Muslims and the Quraysh of Mecca, known as the [[Battle of Badr]], but did not fight, instead acting as one of the guards of Muhammad's tent. In relation to this, Ali later asked his associates as to who they thought was the bravest among men. Everyone stated that Ali was the bravest of all men. Ali then replied:

{{blockquote|No. Abu Bakr is the bravest of men. In the Battle of Badr we had prepared a pavillion for the prophet, but when we were asked to offer ourselves for the task of guarding it none came forward except Abu Bakr. With a drawn sword he took his stand by the side of Prophet of Allah and guarded him from the infidels by attacking those who dared to proceed in that direction. He was therefore the bravest of men.<ref>Sidiq-i-Akbar Hazrat Abu Bakr by Prof. Masud-ul-Hasan, p. 31, printed and published by A. Salam, [[Ferozsons]], 60, Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam, Lahore</ref>}}

In Sunni accounts, during one such attack, two discs from Abu Bakr's shield penetrated into Muhammad's cheeks. Abu Bakr went forward with the intention of extracting these discs but [[Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah]] requested he leave the matter to him, losing his two [[incisor]]s during the process. In these stories subsequently Abu Bakr, along with other companions, led Muhammad to a place of safety.<ref name="Maghazi"/>

=== Battle of Uhud ===
{{Main|Battle of Uhud}}

In 625, he participated in the [[Battle of Uhud]], in which the majority of the Muslims were routed and he himself was wounded.<ref>{{cite book |last=Morgan |first=Diane |title=Essential Islam: A Comprehensive Guide to Belief and Practice |publisher=[[ABC-Clio]] |date=2010 |page=126 |isbn=9780313360268 |url=https://archive.org/details/essentialislamco0000morg |url-access=registration}}</ref> Before the battle had begun, his son [[Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr|Abd al-Rahman]], at that time still non-Muslim and fighting on the side of the Quraysh, came forward and threw down a challenge for a duel. Abu Bakr accepted the challenge but was stopped by Muhammad.<ref>{{cite book |last=Sherwani |first=Muhammad Habibur Rahman Khan |title=Hazrat Abu Bakr, the First Caliph of Islam |date=1963 |page=23}}</ref> In the second phase of the battle, [[Khalid ibn al-Walid]]'s cavalry attacked the Muslims from behind, changing a Muslim victory to defeat.<ref>{{cite book |author=Watt, W. Montgomery |author-link=W. Montgomery Watt |title=Muhammad: Prophet and Statesman |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |date=1974 |isbn=0-19-881078-4 |pages=138–139 |url=https://archive.org/details/muhammadprophets00watt/page/138 }}</ref><ref>"Uhud", ''Encyclopedia of Islam Online''</ref>

=== Battle of the Trench ===
{{Main|Battle of the Trench}}

In 627 he participated in the [[Battle of the Trench]] and also in the [[Invasion of Banu Qurayza]].<ref name="Maghazi"/> In the Battle of the Trench, Muhammad divided the ditch into a number of sectors and a contingent was posted to guard each sector. One of these contingents was under the command of Abu Bakr. The enemy made frequent assaults in an attempt to cross the ditch, all of which were repulsed. To commemorate this event a mosque, later known as 'Masjid-i-Siddiq',<ref>{{cite book |title=Sidiq-i-Akbar Hazrat Abu Bakr |author=Masud-ul-Hasan |page=36 |publisher=[[Ferozsons]]}}</ref> was constructed at the site where Abu Bakr had repulsed the charges of the enemy.<ref name="Maghazi"/>

=== Battle of Khaybar ===
{{Main|Battle of Khaybar}}

Abu Bakr took part in the [[Battle of Khaybar]]. Khaybar had eight fortresses, the strongest and most well-guarded of which was called Al-Qamus. Muhammad sent Abu Bakr with a group of warriors to attempt to take it, but they were unable to do so. Muhammad also sent Umar with a group of warriors, but Umar could not conquer Al-Qamus either.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Razwy |first1=Sayed Ali Asgher |title=A Restatement of the History of Islam & Muslims |page=192}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Ibn Ishaq |title=The Life of the Messenger of God}}</ref><ref name="The Life of Mohammed">{{cite book |last1=Irving |first1=Washington |title=The Life of Mohammed}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Haykal |first1=Muhammad Husayn |title=The Life of Muhammad |date=1935 |quote=As the days went by, the Prophet sent Abu Bakr with a contingent and a flag to the fortress of Na'im; but he was not able to conquer it despite heavy fighting. The Prophet then sent Umar bin al-Khattab on the following day, but he fared no better than Abu Bakr.}}</ref> Some other Muslims also attempted to capture the fort, but they were unsuccessful as well.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Razwy |first1=Sayed Ali Asgher |title=A Restatement of the History of Islam & Muslims |pages=192–193 |quote=Some other captains also tried to capture the fortress but they also failed.}}</ref> Finally, Muhammad sent Ali, who defeated the enemy leader, [[Marhab]].<ref name="The Life of Mohammed"/><ref>{{cite book |last1=Razwy |first1=Sayed Ali Asgher |title=A Restatement of the History of Islam & Muslims |page=193}}</ref>

=== Military campaigns during final years of Muhammad ===
{{Main|Expedition of Amr ibn al-As|Conquest of Mecca|Expedition of Tabuk}}

In 629, Muhammad sent [[Amr ibn al-As]] to Zaat-ul-Sallasal, followed by [[Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah]] in response to a call for reinforcements. Abu Bakr and Umar commanded an army under al-Jarrah, and they attacked and defeated the enemy.<ref>Sahih-al-Bhukari book of Maghazi, Ghazwa Saif-al-Jara</ref>

In 630, when [[Conquest of Mecca|the Muslims conquered Mecca]], Abu Bakr was part of the army.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lasani |first=Yousaf Manzoor |date=12 July 2020 |title=Who was Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA)? His Life and Contributions to Islam |url=https://zillnoorain.com/who-was-hazrat-abu-bakr-ra-his-life-and-contributions-to-islam/ |access-date=23 June 2024 |website=zillnoorain.com |language=en}}</ref> Before the conquest, his father [[Uthman Abu Quhafa|Abu Quhafa]] converted to Islam.<ref>{{Cite web |last=slife |date=26 December 2018 |title=Conquest of Mecca |url=https://slife.org/conquest-of-mecca/ |access-date=22 June 2024 |website=The Spiritual Life |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=28 November 2022 |title=Facts about Abu Bakr al-Siddiq |url=https://www.studioarabiyainegypt.com/facts-about-abu-bakr-al-siddiq/ |access-date=23 June 2024 |website=studioarabiyainegypt.com |language=en}}</ref>

==== Battles of Hunayn and Ta'if ====
{{Main|Battle of Hunayn|Siege of Ta'if}}

In 630, the Muslim army was [[Battle of Hunayn|ambushed by archers from the local tribes]] as it passed through the valley of [[Hunayn, Saudi Arabia|Hunayn]], some eleven miles northeast of Mecca. Taken unaware, the advance guard of the Muslim army fled in panic. There was considerable confusion, and the camels, horses and men ran into one another in an attempt to seek cover. Muhammad, however, stood firm. Only nine companions remained around him, including Abu Bakr. Under Muhammad's instruction, his uncle [[Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib|Abbas]] shouted at the top of his voice, "O Muslims, come to the Prophet of Allah". The call was heard by the Muslim soldiers and they gathered beside Muhammad. When the Muslims had gathered in sufficient number, Muhammad ordered a charge against the enemy. In the hand-to-hand fight that followed the tribes were routed and they fled to [[Autas]].

Muhammad posted a contingent to guard the Hunayn pass and led the main army to Autas. In the confrontation at Autas, the tribes could not withstand the Muslim onslaught. Believing continued resistance useless, the tribes broke camp and retired to [[Taif|Ta'if]].

Abu Bakr was commissioned by Muhammad to lead the [[Siege of Ta'if|attack against Ta'if]]. The tribes shut themselves in the fort and refused to come out in the open. The Muslims employed catapults, but without tangible result. The Muslims attempted to use a testudo formation, in which a group of soldiers shielded by a cover of cowhide advanced to set fire to the gate. However, the enemy threw red hot scraps of iron on the testudo, rendering it ineffective.

The siege dragged on for two weeks, and still there was no sign of weakness in the fort. Muhammad held a council of war. Abu Bakr advised that the siege might be raised and that God make arrangements for the fall of the fort. The advice was accepted, and in December 630, the siege of Ta'if was raised and the Muslim army returned to [[Mecca]]. A few days later, [[Malik ibn Awf|Malik bin Awf]], the commander, came to Mecca and became a Muslim.<ref>{{cite book |title=Sidiq-i-Akbar Hazrat Abu Bakr |author=Masud-ul-Hasan |page=46 |publisher=[[Ferozsons]]}}</ref>

=== Abu Bakr as Amir al-Hajj ===
In 630–631 (AH 9), Muhammad assigned Abu Bakr as the {{Transliteration|ar|[[amir al-hajj]]}} to lead around 300 pilgrims from Medina to Mecca.{{sfn|Hathaway|2015}} In 631 AD, Muhammad sent from Medina a delegation of three hundred Muslims to perform the [[Hajj]] according to the new Islamic way and appointed Abu Bakr as the leader of the delegation. The day after Abu Bakr and his party had left for the Hajj, Muhammad received a new revelation: Surah [[At-Tawbah|Tawbah]], the ninth chapter of the [[Quran]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Razwy |first1=Sayed Ali Asgher |title=A Restatement of the History of Islam & Muslims |page=255}}</ref> It is related that when this revelation came, someone suggested to Muhammad that he should send news of it to Abu Bakr. Muhammad said that only a man of his house could proclaim the revelation.<ref>{{cite book |last1=ibn Ishaq |first1=Muhammad |title=The Life of the Messenger of God}}</ref>

Muhammad summoned Ali and asked him to proclaim a portion of Surah Tawbah to the people on the day of sacrifice when they assembled at [[Mina, Saudi Arabia|Mina]]. Ali went forth on Muhammad's slit-eared camel and overtook Abu Bakr. When Ali joined the party, Abu Bakr wanted to know whether he had come to give orders or to convey them. Ali said that he had not come to replace Abu Bakr as Amir Al-Hajj and that his only mission was to convey a special message to the people on behalf of Muhammad.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-11-10 |title=The Proclamation of Surah Bara'ah or Al Tawbah |url=https://al-islam.org/restatement-history-islam-and-muslims-sayyid-ali-asghar-razwy/proclamation-surah-baraah-or-al-tawbah |access-date=2025-04-25 |website=al-islam.org |language=en}}</ref>

At Mecca, Abu Bakr presided at the Hajj ceremony, and Ali read the proclamation on behalf of Muhammad. The main points of the proclamation were:

#Henceforward the non-Muslims were not to be allowed to visit the [[Kaaba]] or perform the pilgrimage;
#No one should circumambulate the Kaaba naked;
#[[Polytheism]] was not to be tolerated. Where the Muslims had any agreement with the polytheists such agreements would be honoured for the stipulated periods. Where there were no agreements, a grace period of four months was provided and thereafter no quarter was to be given to the polytheists.

From the day this proclamation was made, a new era dawned, and Islam alone was to be supreme in Arabia.

=== Expedition of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq ===
{{Main|Expedition of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq}}

Abu Bakr led one military expedition, the [[Expedition of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq]],<ref name="books.google.co.uk">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mZmBkoDa9fcC&pg=PA205 |title=Atlas Al-sīrah Al-Nabawīyah |date=1 January 2004 |publisher=[[Darussalam Publishers]] |isbn=9789960897714 |via=Google Books}}</ref> which took place in [[Najd]], in July 628 (third month 7AH in the [[Islamic calendar]]).<ref name="books.google.co.uk"/> Abu Bakr led a large{{Vague|date=May 2020}} company in Nejd on the order of Muhammad. Many were killed and taken prisoner.<ref>[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_Feo9AAAAYAAJ/page/n102 The life of Mahomet and history of Islam, Volume 4, By Sir William Muir, p. 83] See bottom of page, notes section</ref> The [[Sunni Islam|Sunni]] [[Hadith]] collection ''[[Sunan Abu Dawud]]'' mentions the event.<ref>{{Hadith-usc|usc=yes|abudawud|14|2632}}</ref>

=== Expedition of Usama bin Zayd ===
{{Main|Expedition of Usama bin Zayd}}

In 632, during the final weeks of his life, Muhammad ordered an expedition into Syria to avenge the defeat of the Muslims in the [[Battle of Mu'tah]] some years previously. Leading the campaign was [[Usama ibn Zayd]], whose father, Muhammad's erstwhile adopted son [[Zayd ibn Harithah]], had been killed in the earlier conflict.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ahmad |first=Fazl |title=Heroes of Islam Series - Abu Bakr, the first caliph of Islam |date=1961 |page=42}}</ref> No more than twenty years old, inexperienced and untested, Usama's appointment was controversial, becoming especially problematic when veterans such as Abu Bakr, [[Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah]] and [[Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas]] were placed under his command.<ref name=PowersP27>{{Cite book |last=Powers |first=David S. |title=Muhammad Is Not the Father of Any of Your Men - The Making of the Last Prophet |date=2011 |page=27 |publisher=[[University of Pennsylvania Press]] |isbn=9780812205572 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KH2FUBSOQ8kC&pg=PA27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |first=Hasan M. |last=Balyuzi |author-link=Hasan M. Balyuzi |title=Muḥammad and the Course of Islám |date=1976 |page=151}}</ref> Nevertheless, the expedition was dispatched, though soon after setting off, news was received of Muhammad's death, forcing the army to return to Medina.<ref name=PowersP27/> The campaign was not reengaged until after Abu Bakr's ascension to the caliphate, at which point he chose to reaffirm Usama's command, which ultimately led to its success.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 March 2016 |title=The Expedition Of Usama Bin Zayd |url=https://discover-the-truth.com/2016/03/21/the-expedition-of-usama-bin-zayd/ |access-date=22 June 2024 |website=discover-the-truth.com |language=en}}</ref>

=== Death of Muhammad ===
There are a number of traditions regarding Muhammad's final days which have been used to reinforce the idea of the great friendship and trust which is existed between him and Abu Bakr. In one such episode, as Muhammad was nearing death, he found himself unable to lead prayers as he usually would. He instructed Abu Bakr to take his place, ignoring concerns from Aisha that her father was too emotionally delicate for the role. Abu Bakr subsequently took up the position, and when Muhammad entered the prayer hall one morning during [[Fajr prayer]]s, Abu Bakr attempted to step back to let him to take up his normal place and lead. Muhammad, however, allowed him to continue. In a related incident, around this time, Muhammad ascended the pulpit and addressed the congregation, saying, "God has given his servant the choice between this world and that which is with God and he has chosen the latter". Abu Bakr, understanding this to mean that Muhammad did not have long to live, responded, "Nay, we and our children will be your ransom". Muhammad consoled his friend and ordered that all the doors leading to [[Al-Masjid an-Nabawi|the mosque]] be closed aside from that which led from Abu Bakr's house, "for I know no one who is a better friend to me than he".{{sfn|Fitzpatrick|Walker|2014|pp=2–3}}{{NoteTag|Such incidents are used by some [[Sunni]]s to justify Abu Bakr's later ascension to the caliphate as they display the regard with which Muhammad held the former. However, several other companions had held similar positions of authority and trust, including the leading of prayers. Such honours may therefore not hold much importance in matters of succession.<ref>{{cite book |first=M.A. |last=Shaban |title=Islamic History - a New Interpretation |date=1971 |page=16 |url= https://archive.org/details/IslamicHistoryANewInterpretationVol.1 }}</ref>}}

Upon Muhammad's death, the Muslim community was unprepared for the loss of its leader and many experienced a profound shock. Umar was particularly affected, instead declaring that Muhammad had gone to consult with God and would soon return, threatening anyone who would say that Muhammad was dead.<ref name=PhippsP70>{{cite book |first=William E. |last=Phipps |title=Muhammad and Jesus - A Comparison of the Prophets and Their Teachings |date=2016 |page=70 |publisher=[[Bloomsbury Group|Bloomsbury]] |isbn=9781474289351 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DR_mDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA70}}</ref> Abu Bakr, having returned to Medina,<ref>{{cite book |first1=Muzaffar Husain |last1=Syed |first2=Syed Saud |last2=Akhtar |first3=B. D. |last3=Usmani |title=Concise History of Islam |date=2011 |page=27 |publisher=Vij Books India Pvt |isbn=9789382573470 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eACqCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA27}}</ref> calmed Umar by showing him Muhammad's body, convincing him of his death.<ref>{{cite book |first=Ingrid |last=Mattson |author-link=Ingrid Mattson |title=The Story of the Qur'an - Its History and Place in Muslim Life |date=2013 |page=185 |publisher=[[Wiley (publisher)|John Wiley & Sons]] |isbn=9780470673492 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_-eUnDh_OWgC&pg=PA185}}</ref> He then addressed those who had gathered at the mosque, saying, "If anyone worships Muhammad, Muhammad is dead. If anyone worships God, God is alive, immortal", thus putting an end to any idolising impulse in the population. He then concluded with verses from the [[Quran]]: "(O Muhammad) Verily you will die, and they also will die." ({{qref|39|30}}), "Muhammad is no more than an Apostle; and indeed many Apostles have passed away, before him, If he dies Or is killed, will you then Turn back on your heels? And he who turns back On his heels, not the least Harm will he do to Allah And Allah will give reward to those Who are grateful." ({{qref|3|144}})<ref>{{Href|bukhari|3667|b=yl}}</ref><ref name=PhippsP70/>

== Caliphate ==
=== Saqifa ===
{{Main|Succession to Muhammad|Saqifa}}

In the immediate aftermath of Muhammad's death, a gathering of the [[Ansar (Islam)|Ansar]] (Natives of Medina) took place in the {{Transliteration|ar|[[Saqifa]]}} (courtyard) of the [[Banu Sa'ida]] clan.{{sfn|Fitzpatrick|Walker|2014|p=3}}{{sfn|Madelung|1997|pp=30–2}}{{Sfn|Lecomte|2022}} The general belief at the time was that the purpose of the meeting was for the Ansar to decide on a new leader of the [[Ummah|Muslim community]] among themselves, with the intentional exclusion of the [[Muhajirun]] (Immigrants from Mecca), though this has later become the subject of debate.<ref>{{cite book |first=Wilferd |last=Madelung |title=The Succession to Muhammad |date=1997 |page=31 |url=https://archive.org/details/TheSuccessionToMuhammadByWilferdMadelung}}</ref>

Nevertheless, Abu Bakr and Umar, upon learning of the meeting, became concerned of a potential coup and hastened to the gathering. Upon arriving, Abu Bakr addressed the assembled men with a warning that an attempt to elect a leader outside of Muhammad's own tribe, the [[Quraysh]], would likely result in dissension, as only they can command the necessary respect among the community. He then took Umar and Abu Ubaidah by the hand and offered them to the Ansar as potential choices. [[Habab ibn Mundhir]], a veteran from the battle of Badr, countered with his own suggestion that the Quraysh and the Ansar choose a leader each from among themselves, who would then rule jointly. The group grew heated upon hearing this proposal and began to argue amongst themselves.<ref name=MadelungP30-31>{{harvtxt|Madelung|1997|pp=30–31}}</ref> The [[oriental studies|orientalist]] [[William Muir]] gives the following observation of the situation:<ref>William Muir, ''The Caliphate - Its Rise, Decline, and Fall'' (1891), p. 2</ref>

{{blockquote|The moment was critical. The unity of the Faith was at stake. A divided power would fall to pieces, and all might be lost. The mantle of the Prophet must fall upon one Successor, and on one alone. The sovereignty of Islam demanded an undivided Caliphate, and Arabia would acknowledge no master but from amongst Koreish.}}

Umar hastily took Abu Bakr's hand and swore his own allegiance to the latter, an example followed by the gathered men. The meeting broke up when a violent scuffle erupted between Umar and the chief of the Banu Sa'ida, [[Sa'd ibn Ubadah]]. This event suggests that the choice of Abu Bakr was not unanimous, with emotions running high as a result of the disagreement.<ref name=MandelungP32>{{harvtxt|Madelung|1997|page=32}}</ref>

Abu Bakr was near-universally accepted as head of the Muslim community (under the title of [[Caliphate|Caliph]]) as a result of Saqifah, though he did face contention because of the rushed nature of the event. Several companions, most prominent among them being [[Ali ibn Abi Talib]], initially refused to acknowledge his authority.{{sfn|Fitzpatrick|Walker|2014|p=3}} Among Shi'ites, it is also argued that Ali had [[Event of Ghadir Khumm|previously been appointed]] as Muhammad's heir, with the election being seen as in contravention to the latter's wishes.<ref>{{cite book |first1=Bernhard |last1=Platzdasch |first2=Johan |last2=Saravanamuttu |title=Religious Diversity in Muslim-majority States in Southeast Asia - Areas of Toleration and Conflict |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7ThpBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA364 |date=6 August 2014 |publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian Studies |isbn=978-981-4519-64-9 |page=364}}</ref> Abu Bakr later sent Umar to confront Ali, resulting in [[Umar at Fatimah's house|an altercation]] which may have involved violence.{{sfn|Fitzpatrick|Walker|2014|p=186}} However, after six months the group made peace with Abu Bakr and Ali offered him his allegiance.{{sfn|Fitzpatrick|Walker|2014|p=4}}

=== Accession ===
After assuming the office of [[Caliph]], Abu Bakr's first address was as follows:

{{blockquote|I have been given the authority over you, and I am not the best of you. If I do well, help me, and if I do wrong, set me right. Sincere regard for truth is loyalty and disregard for truth is treachery. The weak amongst you shall be strong with me until I have secured his rights, if God wills, and the strong amongst you shall be weak with me until I have wrested from him the rights of others, if God wills. Obey me so long as I obey God and His Messenger. But if I disobey God and His Messenger, you owe me no obedience. Arise for your prayer, God have mercy upon you. (Al-Bidaayah wan-Nihaayah 6:305, 306)}}

Abu Bakr's reign lasted for 27 months, during which he crushed the rebellion of the Arab tribes throughout the [[Arabian Peninsula]] in the successful [[Ridda Wars|Ridda wars]]. In the last months of his rule, he sent Khalid ibn al-Walid on conquests [[Muslim conquest of Persia|against the Sassanid Empire]] in [[Mesopotamia]] and [[Muslim conquest of the Levant|against the Byzantine Empire]] in [[Syria (region)|Syria]]. This would set in motion a historical trajectory<ref name="Donner">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qBzRj7OajmEC&pg=PP1 |title=Muhammad and the Believers - At the Origins of Islam |first1=Fred M. |last1=Donner |first2=Professor of Near Eastern History in the Oriental Institute and Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations Fred M. |last2=Donner |date=15 May 2010 |publisher=[[Harvard University Press]] |isbn=9780674050976 |via=Google Books}}</ref> (continued later on by [[Umar]] and [[Uthman ibn Affan]]) that in just a few short decades would lead to one of the [[List of largest empires|largest empires in history]]. He had little time to pay attention to the administration of state, though state affairs remained stable during his Caliphate. On the advice of Umar and Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah, he agreed to draw a salary from the state treasury and discontinue his cloth trade.

=== Ridda wars ===
{{Main|Ridda Wars}}
[[File:Caliph Abu Bakr's empire at its peak 634-mohammad adil rais.PNG|thumb|upright=1.2|Abu Bakr's caliphate at its territorial peak in August 634]]

Troubles emerged soon after Abu Bakr's succession, with several Arab tribes launching revolts, threatening the unity and stability of the new community and state. These insurgencies and the caliphate's responses to them are collectively referred to as the Ridda wars ("Wars of Apostasy").<ref name=DonnerP85>{{cite book |last=Donner |first=Fred M. |author-link=Fred Donner |title=The Early Islamic Conquests |publisher=[[Princeton University Press]] |date=1981 |page=85 |isbn=9781400847877 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l5__AwAAQBAJ&pg=PA85}}</ref>

The opposition movements came in two forms. One type challenged the political power of the nascent caliphate as well as the religious authority of Islam with the acclamation of rival ideologies, headed by political leaders who claimed the mantle of prophethood in the manner that Muhammad had done. These rebellions include:<ref name=DonnerP85/>
* that of the [[Banu Asad]] headed by [[Tulayha ibn Khuwaylid]];
* that of the [[Banu Hanifa]] headed by [[Musaylima]];
* those from among the [[Taghlib]] and the [[Banu Tamim]] headed by [[Sajah]];
* that of the [[Al-Ansi]] headed by [[Al-Aswad al-Ansi]].

These leaders are all denounced in Islamic histories as "false prophets".<ref name=DonnerP85/>

The second form of opposition movement was more strictly political in character. Some of the revolts of this type took the form of tax rebellions in [[Najd]] among tribes such as the [[Banu Fazara]] and Banu Tamim. Other dissenters, while initially allied to the Muslims, used Muhammad's death as an opportunity to attempt to restrict the growth of the new Islamic state. They include some of the [[Rabi'a ibn Nizar]] in [[Eastern Arabia]], the [[Azd]] in [[Oman proper|Oman]], as well as among the [[Kinda (tribe)|Kinda]] and [[Khawlan]] in [[Greater Yemen|Yemen]].<ref name=DonnerP85/>

Abu Bakr, likely understanding that maintaining firm control over the disparate tribes of Arabia was crucial to ensuring the survival of the state, suppressed the insurrections with military force. He dispatched [[Khalid ibn Walid]] and a body of troops to subdue the uprisings in Najd as well as that of Musaylimah, who posed the most serious threat. Concurrent to this, [[Shurahbil ibn Hasana]] and [[Al-Ala'a Al-Hadrami]] were sent to Bahrayn, while [[Ikrimah ibn Abi Jahl|Ikrima ibn Abi Jahl]], [[Hudhayfah al-Bariqi]] and [[Arfaja al-Bariqi]] were instructed to conquer Oman. Finally, [[Al-Muhajir ibn Abi Umayya]] and Khalid ibn Asid were sent to Yemen to aid the local governor in re-establishing control. Abu Bakr also made use of diplomatic means in addition to military measures. Like Muhammad before him, he used marriage alliances and financial incentives to bind former enemies to the caliphate. For instance, a member of the Banu Hanifa who had sided with the Muslims was rewarded with the granting of a land estate. Similarly, a Kindah rebel named [[Al-Ash'ath ibn Qays]], after repenting and re-joining Islam, was later given land in Medina as well as the hand of Abu Bakr's sister Umm Farwa in marriage.<ref>{{harvtxt|Donner|1981|pages=86–87}}</ref>

At their heart, the Ridda movements were challenges to the political and religious supremacy of the Islamic state. Through his success in suppressing the insurrections, Abu Bakr had in effect continued the political consolidation which had begun under Muhammad's leadership with relatively little interruption. By wars' end, he had established an Islamic hegemony over the entirety of the [[Arabian Peninsula]].<ref>{{harvtxt|Donner|1981|page=86}}</ref>

=== Expeditions into Mesopotamia, Persia and Syria ===
With Arabia having united under a single centralised state with a formidable military, the region could now be viewed as a potential threat to the neighbouring [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] and [[Sasanian empire]]s. It may be that Abu Bakr, reasoning that it was inevitable that one of these powers would launch a pre-emptive strike against the youthful caliphate, decided that it was better to deliver the first blow himself. Regardless of the caliph's motivations, in 633, small forces were dispatched into Iraq and [[Palestine (region)|Palestine]], capturing several towns. Though the Byzantines and Sassanians were certain to retaliate, Abu Bakr had reason to be confident; the two empires were militarily exhausted after centuries of war against each other, making it likely that any forces sent to Arabia would be diminished and weakened.<ref name=NardoP32>{{cite book |last=Nardo |first=Don |author-link=Don Nardo |title=The Islamic Empire |publisher=Lucent Books |date=2011 |pages=30–32 |isbn=9781420506341 |url=https://archive.org/details/islamicempire0000nard |url-access=registration}}</ref>

A more pressing advantage though was the effectiveness of the Muslim fighters as well as their zeal, the latter of which was partially based on their certainty of the righteousness of their cause. Additionally, the general belief among the Muslims was that the community must be defended at all costs. Historian [[Theodor Nöldeke]] gives the somewhat controversial opinion that this religious fervour was intentionally used to maintain the enthusiasm and momentum of the ''[[ummah]]'':<ref name=NardoP32/>

{{Blockquote|It was certainly good policy to turn the recently subdued tribes of the wilderness towards an external aim in which they might at once satisfy their lust for booty on a grand scale, maintain their warlike feeling, and strengthen themselves in their attachment to the new faith… Muhammad himself had already sent expeditions across the [Byzantine] frontier, and thereby had pointed out the way to his successors. To follow in his footsteps was in accordance with the innermost being of the youthful Islam, already grown great amid the tumult of arms.<ref>{{cite book |last=Nöldeke |first=Theodore |author-link=Theodor Nöldeke |title=Sketches from Eastern History |url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.21089 |date=1892 |page=73}}</ref>}}

Though Abu Bakr had started these initial conflicts which eventually resulted in the Islamic [[Muslim conquest of Persia|conquests of Mesopotamia, Persia]] and [[Muslim conquest of the Levant|the Levant]], he did not live to see those regions conquered by Islam, instead leaving the task to his successors.<ref name=NardoP32/>

=== Preservation of the Quran ===
{{Main|History of the Quran}}

Abu Bakr was instrumental in preserving the [[Quran]] in written form. It is said that after the hard-won victory over Musaylimah in the [[Battle of Yamama]] in 632, [[Umar]] saw that some five hundred of the Muslims who had [[Hafiz (Quran)|memorised the Quran]] had been killed in wars. Fearing that it might become lost or corrupted, Umar requested that Abu Bakr authorise the compilation and preservation of the scriptures in written format. The caliph was initially hesitant, being quoted as saying, "how can we do that which the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless and keep him, did not himself do?" He eventually relented, however, and appointed [[Zayd ibn Thabit]], who had previously served as one of the scribes of Muhammad, for the task of gathering the scattered verses. The fragments were recovered from every quarter, including from the ribs of palm branches, scraps of leather, stone tablets and "from the hearts of men". The collected work was transcribed onto sheets and verified through comparison with Quran memorisers.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Fernhout |first1=Rein |last2=Jansen |first2=Henry |last3=Jansen-Hofland |first3=Lucy |title=Canonical Texts. Bearers of Absolute Authority. Bible, Koran, Veda, Tipitaka: a Phenomenological Study |year=1994 |page=62 |publisher=[[Brill Publishers|Rodopi]] |isbn=9051837747 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BIIk_73ImdsC&pg=PA62}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Herlihy |first=John |title=Islam for Our Time - Inside the Traditional World of Islamic Spirituality |date=2012 |page=76 |publisher=[[Xlibris|Xlibris Corporation]] |isbn=9781479709977 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lcb5AAAAQBAJ&pg=PA76}}</ref> The finished codex, termed the ''[[Mus'haf]]'', was presented to Abu Bakr, who prior to his death, bequeathed it to his successor Umar.<ref>{{cite book |last=Azmayesh |first=Seyed Mostafa |author-link=Seyed Mostafa Azmayesh |title=New Researches on the Quran - Why and how two versions of Islam entered the history of mankind |date=2015 |publisher=Mehraby Publishing House |page=75 |isbn=9780955811760 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ED1lCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA75}}</ref> Upon Umar's own death, the ''Mus'haf'' was left to his daughter [[Hafsa bint Umar|Hafsa]], who had been one of the wives of Muhammad. It was this volume, borrowed from Hafsa, which formed the basis of [[Uthman]]'s legendary prototype, which became the definitive text of the Quran. All later editions are derived from this original.<ref>{{harvtxt|Herlihy|2012|page=76–77}}</ref>{{NoteTag|Many early sources, especially but not exclusively [[Shia|Shi'ite]], believe that there was also a version of the Quran which had been compiled by Ali, but which has since been lost.<ref>{{harvtxt|Herlihy|2012|page=77}}</ref>}}

== Death ==
[[File:Abu Bakr dying.jpg|thumb|Abu Bakr dying beside [[Ali]]]]

On 23 August 634, Abu Bakr fell sick and did not recover. He developed a high fever and was confined to bed. His illness was prolonged, and when his condition worsened, he felt that his end was near. Realising this, he sent for Ali and requested him to perform his [[ghusl]] since Ali had also done it for Muhammad.

Abu Bakr felt that he should nominate his successor so that the issue should not be a cause of dissension among the Muslims after his death, though there was already controversy over Ali not having been appointed.<ref>''Sidiq-i-Akbar Hazrat Abu Bakr'' by Masudul Hasan, [[Ferozsons]], 1976 {{OCLC|3478821}}</ref> He appointed Umar for this role after discussing the matter with some companions. Some of them favoured the nomination and others disliked it due to the tough nature of Umar.

Abu Bakr thus dictated his last testament to [[Uthman ibn Affan]] as follows:

{{Blockquote|In the name of Most Merciful God. This is the last will and testament of Abu Bakr bin Abu Quhafa, when he is in the last hour of the world, and the first of the next; an hour in which the infidel must believe, the wicked be convinced of their evil ways, I nominate Umar ibn al Khattab as my successor. Therefore, hear to him and obey him. If he acts right, confirm his actions. My intentions are good, but I cannot see the future results. However, those who do ill shall render themselves liable to severe account hereafter. Fare you well. May you be ever attended by the Divine favor of blessing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.alim.org/library/biography/khalifa/content/KAB/18/2|title=Islamic history of Khalifa Abu Bakr – Death of Abu Bakr &#124; Al Quran Translations &#124; Alim|website=www.alim.org|access-date=16 June 2010|archive-date=31 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031131259/http://www.alim.org/library/biography/khalifa/content/KAB/18/2|url-status=dead}}</ref>}}

[[Umar]] led the [[Salat al-Janazah|funeral prayer]] for him and he was buried beside the grave of Muhammad.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qkUkAQAAIAAJ&q=Umar+led+the+funeral+prayer+for+Abubakar,+and+he+was+buried+with+the+Muhammad |title=Islamic Review |date=15 April 1967 |publisher=Shah Jehan Mosque |via=Google Books}}</ref>

== Appearance ==
The historian [[Al-Tabari]], in regards to Abu Bakr's appearance, records the following interaction between Aisha and her paternal nephew, Abd Allah ibn Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr:<ref name=TabariBlankinshipP138-39>{{cite book |last1=Al-Tabari |first1=Muhammad ibn Jarir |last2=Blankinship |first2=Khalid Yahya |author-link1=Al-Tabari |author-link2=Khalid Yahya Blankinship |title=The History of al-Tabari, Volume XI - The Challenge to the Empires |date=1993 |pages=138–139 |url=https://archive.org/stream/TabariEnglish/Tabari_Volume_11#page/n175/mode/2up}}</ref>

<blockquote> When she was in her [[howdah]] and saw a man from among the Arabs passing by, she said, "I have not seen a man more like Abu Bakr than this one." We said to her, "Describe Abu Bakr." She said, "A slight, white man, thin-bearded and bowed. His waist wrapper would not hold but would fall down around his loins. He had a lean face, sunken eyes, a bulging forehead, and trembling knuckles".</blockquote>

Referencing another source, Al-Tabari further describes him as being "white mixed with yellowness, of good build, slight, 
bowed, thin, tall like a male palm tree, hook-nosed, lean-faced, sunken-eyed, thin-shanked, and strong-thighed. He used to dye himself with [[henna]] and black dye".<ref name=TabariBlankinshipP138-39/>

== Assessment and legacy ==
Although Abu Bakr's caliphate lasted only two years, two months, and fifteen days, it encompassed successful campaigns against the [[Sassanid Empire]] and [[Byzantine Empire]], the two most powerful empires of the era. He is known by the titles as ''[[Siddiq|Al-Siddiq]], [[Atiq]]'' and ''Companion of the Cave''.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=YÂR-ı GĀR (Companion of the cave) |encyclopedia=[[İslâm Ansiklopedisi|TDV Encyclopedia of Islam]] |url=https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/yar-i-gar |date=2013 |lang=tr |last1=İsmet Uzun |first1=Mustafa}}</ref>

As the first caliph in [[Islamic history]], Abu Bakr was also the first to nominate a successor. Notably, he returned his entire [[caliphate|caliphal]] allowance to the state [[treasury]] upon his death, a unique act among caliphs.<ref name="archive.org"/> Additionally, he purchased the land for [[Al-Masjid al-Nabawi]].{{citation needed|date=March 2019}}

=== Sunni view ===
[[Sunni Islam|Sunni Muslim]] tradition considers Abu Bakr the best man after the prophets in [[Sunni Islam]]. He is also regarded as one of [[Hadith of the Ten Promised Paradise|the Ten Promised Paradise]] (''[[The ten to whom Paradise was promised|al-'Ashara al-Mubashshara]]'') whom Muhammad testified were destined for Paradise. Abu Bakr is recognized as the "Successor of Allah's Messenger" (''Khalifa Rasulullah''), the first of the Rightly Guided Caliphs – i.e., the [[Rashidun]] – and the rightful successor to Muhammad. He was always the closest friend and confidant of Muhammad, accompanying him during every major event. Muhammad consistently honored Abu Bakr's wisdom. He is regarded among the greatest of Muhammad's followers; as Umar ibn al-Khattab stated, "If the faith of Abu Bakr were weighed against the faith of the people of the earth, the faith of Abu Bakr would outweigh theirs."<ref>Narrated by al-Bayhaqi in "al-Jamia" lashu'ab al-Eemaan' (1:18) and its narrators are trustworthy.</ref>

=== Shia view ===

[[Shia|Shia Muslims]] believe that Ali ibn Abi Talib was supposed to assume the [[Caliphate|leadership]] and that he had been publicly and unambiguously appointed by Muhammad as his successor at [[Event of Ghadir Khumm|Ghadir Khumm]]. It is also believed that Abu Bakr and Umar conspired to take over power in the Muslim nation after Muhammad's death in a coup d'état against Ali.

Most [[Twelver]] Shia (as the main branch of Shia Islam, with 85% of all Shias)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shia Islam's Holiest Sites |url=https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/shia-islam-s-holiest-sites.html |website=worldatlas.com |date=25 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.al-islam.org/shiite-encyclopedia-ahlul-bayt-dilp-team/usurping-land-fadak |title=Usurping the Land of Fadak |website=al-islam.org |date=12 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.al-islam.org/the-message-ayatullah-jafar-subhani/chapter-44-story-fadak |title=Chapter 44 - The Story of Fadak |website=al-islam.org |date=27 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.twelvershia.net/2014/05/08/fadak-prophetic-inheritance-qa/ |title=Fadak and Inheritance Q&A |date=8 May 2014 |website=twelvershia.net}}</ref> have a negative view of Abu Bakr because, after Muhammad's death, Abu Bakr refused to grant Muhammad's daughter, [[Fatimah]], the lands of the village of [[Fadak]] which she claimed her father had given to her as a gift before his death. He refused to accept the testimony of her witnesses, so she claimed the land would still belong to her as inheritance from her deceased father. However, Abu Bakr replied by saying that Muhammad had told him that the prophets of God do not leave as inheritance any worldly possessions and on this basis he refused to give her the lands of Fadak.<ref>[http://www.al-islam.org/fatima-the-gracious-abu-muhammad-ordoni/abu-bakr-versus-fatima-az-zahra-sa al-islam.org], ''Fatima the Gracious'', by Abu – Muhammad Ordoni, 1987, Section entitled ''Abu Bakr Versus Fatima az-Zahra (sa)''.<br />See also ''Sahih Al Bukhari'' Volume 5, Book 57, Number 60, which says: "Fatima sent somebody to Abu Bakr asking him to give her her inheritance from the Prophet from what Allah had given to His Apostle through Fai (i.e. booty gained without fighting). She asked for the Sadaqa (i.e. wealth assigned for charitable purposes) of the Prophet at Medina, and Fadak, and what remained of the Khumus (i.e., one-fifth) of the Khaibar booty". Abu Bakr said, "Allah's Apostle said, "We (Prophets), our property is not inherited, and whatever we leave is Sadaqa, but Muhammad's Family can eat from this property, i.e. Allah's property, but they have no right to take more than the food they need". By Allah! I will not bring any change in dealing with the Sadaqa of the Prophet (and will keep them) as they used to be observed in his (i.e. the Prophet's) life-time, and I will dispose with it as Allah's Apostle used to do". Then Ali said, "I testify that None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and that Muhammad is His Apostle", and added, "O Abu Bakr! We acknowledge your superiority". Then he (i.e. Ali) mentioned their own relationship to Allah's Apostle and their right. Abu Bakr then spoke saying, "By Allah in Whose Hands my life is. I love to do good to the relatives of Allah's Apostle rather than to my own relatives". Abu Bakr added: Look at Muhammad through his family".<br />See also ''Sahih Al Bukhari'' Volume 8, Book 80, Number 722, which says: Aisha said, "When Allah's Apostle died, his wives intended to send Uthman to Abu Bakr asking him for their share of the inheritance". Then Aisha said to them, "Didn't Allah's Apostle say, Our (Apostles') property is not to be inherited, and whatever we leave is to be spent in charity?"</ref> However, as Sayed Ali Asgher Razwy notes in his book ''A Restatement of the History of Islam & Muslims'', Muhammad inherited a maid servant, five camels, and ten sheep. Shia Muslims believe that prophets can receive inheritance, and can pass on inheritance to others as well.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Razwy |first1=Ali Asgher |title=A Restatement of the History of Islam & Muslims |pages=34–35}}</ref> In addition, Shias claim that Muhammad had given Fadak to Fatimah during his lifetime,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Jalālī |first1=Ḥusaynī |title=Fadak wa l-ʿawālī |page=141}}</ref> and Fadak was therefore a gift to Fatimah, not inheritance. This view has also been supported by the Abbasid ruler [[al-Ma'mun]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Shahīdī |title=Zindigānī-yi Fātima-yi Zahrā |page=117}}</ref>

Twelvers also accuse Abu Bakr of participating in the [[Umar at Fatimah's house|burning of the house of Ali and Fatima]].<ref>Ibn Qutayba al Dinawari. Al Imama Wa'l Siyasa.</ref> The Twelver Shia believe that Abu Bakr sent [[Khalid ibn Walid]] to crush those who were in favour of [[Ali]]'s caliphate (''see [[Ridda Wars]]''). The Twelver Shia strongly contest the idea that Abu Bakr or Umar were instrumental in the collection or preservation of the ''Quran'', claiming that they should have accepted the copy of the book in the possession of Ali.<ref>[http://al-islam.org/encyclopedia/chapter8/4.html al-islam.org], ''The Quran Compiled by Imam Ali (AS)''</ref>

However, Sunnis argue that Ali and Abu Bakr were not enemies and that Ali named his sons Abi Bakr in honor of Abu Bakr.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The names of Imam Ali (as)'s sons |url=http://names-of-imam-ali-sons.html/ |access-date=13 August 2021 |language=en}}{{Dead link |date=November 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> After the death of Abu Bakr, Ali raised Abu Bakr's son [[Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr|Muhammad ibn Abu Bakr]]. The Twelver Shia view Muhammad as one of the greatest companions of Ali.<ref name="ReferenceB">Nahj al-Balagha Sermon 71, Letter 27, Letter 34, Letter 35</ref> When he was killed by the [[Umayyad dynasty|Umayyads]],<ref name="ReferenceB" /> Aisha, the third wife of Muhammad (the prophet), raised and taught her nephew [[Qasim ibn Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr|Qasim ibn Muhammad ibn Abu Bakr]]. Qasim's mother was from Ali's family and his daughter [[Farwah bint al-Qasim]] was married to [[Muhammad al-Baqir]] and was the mother of [[Ja'far al-Sadiq]]. Therefore, Qasim was the grandson of Abu Bakr and the grandfather of Ja'far al-Sadiq.

[[Zaidiyyah|Zaydi Shias]], the largest group amongst the Shia before the [[Safavid dynasty]] and currently the second-largest group (although its population is only about 5% of all Shia Muslims),<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/208632.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/208632.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live |title=state.gov}}</ref><ref>Stephen W. Day (2012), Regionalism and Rebellion in Yemen - A Troubled National Union, [[Cambridge University Press]], p. 31 {{ISBN|9781107022157}} Jump up</ref><ref>"Mapping the Global Muslim Population - A Report on the Size and Distribution of the World's Muslim Population", Pew Research Center, 7 October 2009, retrieved 25 August 2010.</ref> believe that on the last hour of [[Zayd ibn Ali]] (the uncle of Ja'far al-Sadiq), he was betrayed by the people in [[Kufa]] who said to him: "May God have mercy on you! What do you have to say on the matter of Abu Bakr and Umar ibn al-Khattab?" Zayd ibn Ali said, "I have not heard anyone in my family renouncing them both nor saying anything but good about them [...] when they were entrusted with government they behaved justly with the people and acted according to the Quran and the Sunnah".<ref name="Najeebabadi">Akbar Shah Najeebabadi, The history of Islam, B0006RTNB4.</ref><ref>The waning of the Umayyad caliphate by Tabarī, Carole Hillenbrand, 1989, p. 37–38</ref><ref>The Encyclopedia of Religion, Vol. 16, Mircea Eliade, Charles J. Adams, Macmillan, 1987, p. 243, "They were called Rafida by the followers of Zayd"</ref>

In a similar view, the [[Isma'ilism|Ismaili Shias]] under the leadership of the [[Aga Khan]]s have also come to accept the caliphates of the first three caliphs, including that of Abu Bakr:

{{Blockquote|"In the present Imamat, the final reconciliation between the Shia and Sunni doctrines has been publicly proclaimed by myself on exactly the same lines as [[Ali|Hazrat Aly]] did at the death of the Prophet and during the first thirty years after that. '''The political and worldly Khalifat was accepted by Hazrat Aly in favour of the three first Khalifs voluntarily and with goodwill for the protection of the interests of the Muslims throughout the world. We Ismailis now in the same spirit accept the Khalifat of the first Khalifs''' and such other Khalifs as during the last thirteen centuries helped the cause of Islam, politically, socially and from a worldly point of view. On the other hand, the Spiritual Imamat remained with Hazrat Aly and remains with his direct descendants always alive till the day of Judgement" |author=''Aga Khan III - Selected Speeches and Writings of Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah'', p. 1417<ref>{{Cite book |last=Aga Khan III |title=Selected Speeches and Writings of Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah |publisher=Kegan Paul |date=1998 |isbn=0710304277 |page=1417}}</ref>}}

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}
{{Notefoot}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
* {{cite book |last1=Fitzpatrick |first1=Coeli |last2=Walker |first2=Adam Hani |title=Muhammad in History, Thought, and Culture - An Encyclopedia of the Prophet of God |date=2014 |publisher=[[Bloomsbury Publishing]] |isbn=9781610691789}}
* Walker, Adam, Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, in ''Muhammad in History, Thought, and Culture - An Encyclopedia of the Prophet of God'' (2 vols.), edited by C. Fitzpatrick and A. Walker, Santa Barbara, [[ABC-Clio]], 2014.
* {{citation |first=Barnaby |last=Rogerson |author-link=Barnaby Rogerson |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ExbdVf5fFmUC |title=The Heirs of the Prophet Muhammad - And the Roots of the Sunni-Shia Schism |date=4 November 2010 |publisher=Little, Brown Book Group |isbn=978-0-74-812470-1}}
* {{citation |first=Barnaby |last=Rogerson |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qzyBPwAACAAJ |title=The Heirs of Muhammad - Islam's First Century and the Origins of the Sunni-Shia Split |date=2008 |publisher=Overlook |isbn=978-1-59-020022-3}}
* {{citation |first=Wilferd |last=Madelung |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2QKBUwBUWWkC |title=The Succession to Muhammad - A Study of the Early Caliphate |date=15 October 1998 |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |isbn=978-0-52-164696-3}}
* {{Citation |last=Huthayfa |first=Abu |title=Abu Bakr - The First Caliph |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xZ4bnQEACAAJ&q=abu+bakr |date=2013 |publisher=Al Qasim |isbn=9780958172035}}
* {{cite encyclopedia |date=2015 |title=Amīr al-ḥajj |encyclopedia=The Encyclopedia of Islam, THREE |publisher=[[Brill Publishers|BRILL Online]] |url=http://referenceworks.brillonline.com/entries/encyclopaedia-of-islam-3/ami-r-al-h-ajj-COM_24219 |last=Hathaway |first=Jane |editor1=Kate Fleet |editor2=Gudrun Krämer |editor3=Denis Matringe |editor4=John Nawas |editor5=Everett Rowson}}
* [https://www.britannica.com/biography/Abu-Bakr Abū Bakr Muslim caliph], in ''Encyclopædia Britannica Online'', by The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica, Yamini Chauhan, Aakanksha Gaur, Gloria Lotha, Noah Tesch and Amy Tikkanen
* {{cite encyclopedia |date=2022 |title=Al-Saḳīfa |encyclopedia=Encyclopaedia of Islam |publisher=[[Brill Publishers|Brill Reference Online]] |url=https://referenceworks.brillonline.com/entries/encyclopaedia-of-islam-2/al-sakifa-COM_0980?s.num=1&s.f.s2_parent=s.f.cluster.Encyclopaedia+of+Islam&s.q=sakifa |editor-last=Bearman |editor-first=P. |edition=Second |author-last=Lecomte |author-first=G.}}

== External links ==
{{Wikisource author}}
{{Wikiquote}}
{{EB1911 poster|Abu-Bekr}}

{{S-start}}
{{S-hou|[[Banu Taim]]||27 October 573||22 August 634|[[Quraysh (tribe)|Quraysh]]}}
{{S-rel|su}}
{{S-bef|before=[[Muhammad]]|as=[[Khatam an-Nabiyyin|Final prophet]]|rows=4}}
{{S-ttl|title=[[Caliphate|Caliph of Islam]]<br />[[Rashidun Caliph]]|years=8 June 632{{snd}}22 August 634}}
{{S-aft|after=[[Umar ibn Al-Khattab]]}}
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{{Rashidun Caliphs}}
{{Ten companions of Muhammad}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Abu Bakr| ]]
[[Category:573 births]]
[[Category:634 deaths]]
[[Category:Arab Muslims]]
[[Category:People from Mecca]]
[[Category:Rashidun caliphs]]
[[Category:Family of Abu Bakr| ]]
[[Category:7th-century caliphs]]
[[Category:Sahabah who participated in the battle of Uhud]]
[[Category:Sahabah who participated in the battle of Badr]]
[[Category:People of the Muslim conquest of the Levant]]
[[Category:Arab slave owners]]
[[Category:Sahabah hadith narrators]]
[[Category:Burials at Al-Masjid an-Nabawi]]
[[Category:7th-century monarchs in Asia]]