Witness to Truth
Liberation of the Slaves

Slavery. During the times of Abu Bakr, slavery was a deep rooted
institution, and was a conspicuous feature of Makkah. Most of the
Quraish were slave owners and thus in the society of Makkah there
was a considerable sprinkling of slaves. These slaves were the
victims of exploitation, and were treated in an inhuman way by their
masters. Many of the slaves were attracted by Islam, for in its
teachings lay a charter of freedom for the distressed humanity.
Islam preached the cult of equality. It stipulated that all persons
were the slaves of God, and no person could be the slave of another
person. When many slaves accepted Islam, the slave owners of Makkah
felt much concerned, and considered such conversions as a threat to
their economic interests.

Persecution of the slaves. Of all the persons who became Muslims,
the slaves were the most vulnerable. These men of the Quraish who
were converted to Islam continued to enjoy the protection of their
respective tribes. The slaves enjoyed no such protection. In order
to arrest the progress of Islam among the slaves, the Quraish
accordingly resorted to a campaign of persecution and torture
against the slaves who professed to be Muslims.

Bilal. Bilal, an Abyssinian who later became the 'Muadhdhin' of
Islam was a slave of Umayyah bin Khalaf. Bilal accepted Islam and
thereupon his master subjected him to great torture. Umayyah would
make Bilal lie down on the burning sand, and would place a huge
block of stone on his chest. Umayyah would then ask Bilal to give up
Islam, or he would be tortured to death Umayyah would ,sometimes tie
a rope round the neck of Bilal, and had him dragged in the streets.
Sometimes Bilal was made to put on steel armor, and stand in the hot
sun for hours. In spite of these tortures and threats, Bilal
remained firm and steadfast in his faith in Islam. The condition of
Bilal excited the pity of Abu Bakr. He purchased him from his master
and set him free.

Abu Fakih. Abu Fakih was a slave of Safwan bin Umayyah. Abu Fakih
accepted Islam, and when Safwan came to know that Abu Fakih had
become a Muslim, he subjected him to great torture. He would bind
him with a rope, and drag him on the burning sand. Abu Fakih was
asked to worship the idols, but he said that he would worship Allah
alone. His master put a very heavy stone on his chest which brought
out his tongue. In spite of these persecutions, the faith of Abu
Fakih in Islam did not waver. When Abu Bakr came to know of the
pitiable condition of Abu Fakih, he purchased him from his master
and set him free.

Lubaynah. Lubaynah was a slave girl of Umar. She accepted Islam, and
Umar who had not accepted Islam by that time would beat her
mercilessly until he was tired. He would then say, "I have only
stopped beating you, because I am tired." She would say. "May God
treat you in the same way". He asked her to renounce Islam, but she
stuck to her faith. When Abu Bakr came to know of her sad state, he
paid for her, and set her free.

Al Nahdiah. Al Nahdiah and her daughter who became Muslims were the
slaves of a lady of Bani Abdul Dar. Their mistress subjected them to
great torture when she came to know that they had accepted Islam.
Abu Bakr remonstrated with the lady at the treatment she meted out
to her slaves. The mistress said, "You have corrupted them; you may
free them if you are so sympathetic to them." Abu Bakr paid the
price asked for, and liberated the women.

Umm Ubays and Zinnira. Abu Bakr also liberated two women slaves, Umm
Ubays and Zinnira. Abu Jahl beat Zinnira on her conversion to Islam
to such an extent that she lost her eye sight. When she lost her eye
sight the Quraish said that she had lost her sight because of the
curse of Al Lat and Al Uzzah. She was asked to recant, but she
remained steadfast in her faith in Islam. She prayed to God, and
miraculously her eye sight was restored. Abu Bakr paid for these
women and set them free.

Slaves liberated by Abu Bakr. Abu Bakr purchased the freedom of
eight slaves-four men and four women. The men were Bilal, Abu Fakih,
Ammar, and Abu Fuhayra. The women were: Lubaynah, Nabdiya, Umm
Ubays, and Zinnira.

Abu Bakr's father's reaction to the liberation of slaves. Most of
the slaves liberated by Abu Bakr were either women or old and frail
men. The father of Abu Bakr said to him, "Son, I hear you are
freeing old and weak persons; why don't you free healthy and strong
persons who could be a source of strength to you?" Abu Bakr replied
that he was freeing the slaves for the sake of God, and not for his
own sake.

Divine approval. The Holy Prophet of Islam was all praise for Abu
Bakr for his generosity in purchasing the freedom of slaves who were
tortured on the ground that they had accepted Islam.

The conduct of Abu Bakr was approved by God in the following verses
of the Holy Quran: "He who gives in charity and fears Allah And in
all sincerity testifies to the Truth; We shall indeed make smooth
for him the path of Bliss" {92:5-7}

"Those who spend their wealth for increase in self-purification; And
have in their minds no favor from any one For which a reward is
expected in return, But only the desire to seek the Countenance, Of
their Lord, Most High; And soon they shall attain complete
satisfaction." {92:8-21}

Persecutions of the Quraish
The first public address about Islam. For three years the Muslims
kept a secret of their faith, and prayed in secret. Abu Bakr always
urged on the Holy Prophet that as Islam was the Truth, it should be
declared publicly. The Holy Prophet assured Abu Bakr that Islam
would be proclaimed publicly when Allah so commanded. Some time in
613 C.E. the Holy Prophet received the Divine Command to make an
open declaration Or faith. At the first public meeting held to call
the people to God, the first public address in the history of Islam,
inviting the people to offer allegiance to the Holy Prophet was
delivered by Abu Bakr. The Quraish were exasperated at this daring
of the Muslims. In a fit of fury the Quraish young men rushed at Abu
Bakr, and beat him mercilessly till he lost consciousness.

Conversion of the mother of Abu Bakr to Islam. Abu Bakr was carried
to his home. When he regained consciousness, he did not care for his
own wounds: he wanted to know how was the Holy Prophet. When Abu
Bakr felt some relief, he insisted that he should be taken to the
Holy Prophet. His mother agreed to take him to the Holy Prophet.
When the Holy Prophet saw Abu Bakr coming to inquire about him when
his own wounds had not healed. he was much impressed with the
loyalty and faith of Abu Bakr. The Holy Prophet blessed Abu Bakr and
kissed him on the forehead. Overwhelmed with emotion, the mother of
Abu Bakr declared the article of faith and became a Muslim.

The Holy Prophet in the Ka'aba. One day the Holy Prophet went to the
Ka'aba and circumambulated it. As he passed in front of the 'Black
Stone', and kissed it, some of the Quraish assembled there used foul
language against him. The Holy Prophet kept quiet and took another
round of the Ka'aba. As he came to the 'Black Stone' for the second
time, the Quraish abused him again. The Holy Prophet did not mind
them, and went moving around the Kaaba. As he completed the third
round the Quraish abused him once again. This time he turned his
face to them, and said; "Listen to me O Quraish; I bring you
slaughter." This overawed the Quraish and they dispersed.

The following day the Quraish assembled in the Kaaba, and vowed
vengeance against the Holy Prophet. After some time, the Holy
Prophet also came to the Ka'aba. The Quraish surrounded him and
said, "Are you the one who has abused our gods?" The Holy Prophet
said that it was so. Thereupon the Quraish fell upon the Holy
Prophet, and gave him a severe beating. When Abu Bakr came to know
of this he rushed to the spot. He interposed himself between the
Holy Prophet and the Quraish weeping and saying, "Would you kill a
man for saying that Allah is his Lord." Thereupon the Quraish fell
on Abu Bakr, and beat him. The beating was so severe that blood
flowed from the head of Abu Bakr and clotted his hair. He did not
mind his own injuries, and even on the sick bed, he expressed his
anxiety about the safety and welfare of the Holy Prophet.

Uqba b Abi Mohit. Once when the Holy Prophet was saying prayers in
the Ka'aba, Uqba b Abi Mohit a Quraish young man threw his sheet
round the neck of the Holy Prophet, and twisted it with a view to
strangling him. Abu Bakr who hovered close by fell on Uqba and
rescued the Holy Prophet.

Abu Lahab. When the Holy Prophet invited the people to Islam, his
uncle Abu Lahab and his wife Umm Jamil became hostile to him. Umm
Jamil would carry thorns and place them in the way of the Holy
Prophet. About Abu Lahab and his wife, the Holy Prophet received the
following revelation from God: "Abu Lahab and his hands God blast
his wealth and gains useless at the last. He shall roast in flames
held fast. With his wife, the bearer of the wood aghast, On her neck
a rope of palm fiber cast."

Umm Jamil. One day Umm Jamil came to the Ka'aba where Abu Bakr and
the Holy Prophet were praying. She failed to see the Holy Prophet,
and addressing Abu Bakr she said, "I hear that Muhammad is
satirizing me. If I find him I will smash him. We reject the
reprobate. His words we repudiate; His religion, we loathe and
hate." When Abu Bakr remonstrated with her, she abused him.

Persecutions of other Muslims. The persecutions of the Quraish were
not confined to the Holy Prophet or Abu Bakr. Almost every Muslim
convert became a victim of the persecutions of the Quraish.

When Usman b Affan who later became the third Caliph of Islam, was
converted to Islam, he was bound and beaten by his uncle Hakam b
Al'Aas.

When Zubair b Awam accepted Islam his uncle wrapped him in a mat,
and passed smoke through his nose.

When Abdullah bin Masud recited the Quran in the Ka'aba, he was
mercilessly beaten by the Quraish.

Umm Shareek a lady who accepted Islam was made to stand under the
hot sun for three days, and was not allowed to drink water.

Khabbab when converted to Islam was forced by the Quraish to lie on
live cinders.

Ammar when converted to Islam was thrown on burning sand and
severely beaten till he lost consciousness. His mother Sumaiyya was
stabbed to death by Abu Jahl. His father Yasir was tortured to
death.

Suhaib was beaten so mercilessly that he lost his mental balance.

Reaction of Abu Bakr. Abu Bakr felt distressed at the persecution of
the Muslims. He did all he could to alleviate the sufferings of the
Muslims. Abu Bakr suffered along with other Muslims. He had a
flourishing business, but as a result of his acceptance of Islam his
business suffered a good deal. At the time of his conversion to
Islam he had 40,000 dirhams with him. He spent a great part of this
money for the relief of the Muslims in distress. Abu Bakr did not
mind these sufferings, and the more he suffered the deeper became
his faith in Islam.

Protection of Ad-Dughna
Migration of the Muslims to Abyssinia. As more and more persons in
Makkah became Muslims, the Quraish lost their nerve, and intensified
their persecutions against the Muslims. Seeing the afflictions on
his companions, the Holy Prophet advised them to migrate to
Abyssinia, the ruler whereof was known for his tolerance. When the
first batch of the Muslims migrated to Abyssinia, Abu Bakr decided
to stay in Makkah to be by the side of the Holy Prophet.

Boycott against the Banu Hashim. Some time in 617 C.E., the Quraish
enforced a boycott against the Banu Hashim, and the Holy Prophet and
whole of Banu Hashim, except Abu Lahab and his family, were shut up
in a pass away from Makkah. All social relations with the Banu
Hashim were cut off and their state was that of a sort of
imprisonment.

Three groups of the Muslims. At this stage the Muslims came to be
divided in three groups. One group comprised of the emigrants to
Abyssinia. The other group comprised of the Banu Hashim who were ex-
communicated. The rest of the Muslims formed the third group. They
were not ex-communicated. but there was no relaxation in their
persecution by the unbelievers.

Abu Bakr's migration. Abu Bakr belonged to the third group. He felt
sad at the ex-communication of the Banu Hashim. As Abu Bakr looked
around him he felt much distressed. With a heavy heart, Abu Bakr
left Makkah one day with the intention to migrate to Abyssinia. He
took the road to Yemen from where he was to sail for Abyssinia. When
he had proceeded some five stages from Makkah, he met Ad-Dughna at
Barka al Ghamaad Ad-Dughna was an old friend of Abu Bakr. He was the
chief of the Qarah tribe, a section of the Quraish. The Qarah tribe
was in alliance with the Bani Zuhra.

Ad-Dughnas's offer of protection. Ad-Dughna inquired of Abu Bakr as
to where he was going, and he told him that he was going to seek
refuge in Abyssinia as the Quraish of Makkah would allow him no
peace. Ad-Dughna who had a high opinion about Abu Bakr said: "O Abu
Bakr, we cannot suffer you to go from Makkah. You are an asset to
the city. You are always keen to fulfill the needs of others. You
are so good and noble. I take you under my protection, and you
should come back with me to Makkah. Rest assured no harm will come
to you."

Back in Makkah. Back in Makkah, Ad-Dughna declared that Abu Bakr was
under his protection and that no one should molest him in any way.
Abu Bakr built a small mosque by the side of his house. This was
indeed the first mosque built in the history of Islam. In this
mosque Abu Bakr would pray and recite the Holy Quran. Abu Bakr was
tender hearted and he was so overwhelmed with the depth of the Word
of God that while reciting the verses he would burst into sobs and
tears. He had a sweet melodious voice, and his recitation from the
Holy Quran had a melody which appealed to the heart. Women and young
men of the Quraish watched him pray and recite verses from the Holy
Quran with particular interest, and they felt that if a man of the
status and standing of Abu Bakr could be so overwhelmed with these
words, these must be the Word of God and should have a ring of truth
about them.

Withdrawal of the protection of Ad-Dughna. The Quraish felt nervous.
They apprehended that if Abu Bakr continued his prayers in the open,
he might attract some persons to him. Some of the leading Quraish
went to Ad-Dughna and said, "Have you given him this protection so
that he may publicly injure our feelings? He recites the Quran in a
sweet voice, and we fear that he may seduce our women and youth to
his faith. You should advise him to pray indoors."

Ad-Dughna saw Abu Bakr and advised him that the most expedient
course for him was to pray indoors and not to annoy the Quraish. To
Abu Bakr there could be no expediency in the matter of faith. He
said to Ad-Dughna "You are advising me as I am under your
protection. What if I renounce your protection ?" "In that case I
will have nothing to say" answered Ad-Dughna. Thereupon Abu Bakr
said, "Under these circumstances I renounce your protection. The
protection of Allah is enough for me."

Ad-Dughna returned crest-fallen, and he told the Quraish that as Abu
Bakr was no longer under his protection, they could deal with him
direct in any way they liked.

Holy Prophet's Engagement to Ayesha
Deaths of Abu Talib and Khadija. In 619 C.E. Abu Talib and Khadija
died. Among the Muslims the year 619 C.E. came to be known as 'The
Year of Sorrow'. Abu Talib had been more than a father to the Holy
Prophet. In spite of the strong pressure of the Quraish he had
protected the Holy Prophet. Khadija had been for the Holy Prophet
more than a wife. She had placed all her wealth ,which was
considerable, at his disposal. She had given him love. She was the
first person to be converted to Islam, and had been a pillar of
strength for the Holy Prophet as well as the Muslims.

The passing away of Abu Talib and Khadija created a great vacuum in
the life of the Holy Prophet, and he felt very lonely and
disconsolate. In this hour of bereavement Abu Bakr tried to console
the Holy Prophet, and he spent most of his time in his company. It
was the endeavor of Abu Bakr that he should as far as possible fill
the vacuum created by the deaths of Abu Talib and Khadija.

Holy Prophet's marriage with Sauda. At the instance of Khawla bint
Hakim the Holy Prophet married Sauda bint Zama'a. Sauda was an
elderly lady and was among the early converts to Islam. She was a
good housewife, and looked very well after the house and the
children of the Holy Prophet.

Proposal for engagement to Ayesha. Khawla bint Hakim suggested to
the Holy Prophet that he should marry some young lady as well who
could keep him company. Whom could he marry, inquired the Holy
Prophet. Khawla suggested that Ayesha the daughter of Abu Bakr would
be a good choice. The Holy Prophet left it to Khawla to pursue the
matter with Abu Bakr. Khawla approached Abu Bakr, and his wife Umm
Ruman and made the proposal for the engagement of Ayesha to the Holy
Prophet. Abu Bakr felt honored at the proposal, but his difficulty
was that Ayesha was already engaged to Jubayr son of Mut'im, and it
was against Abu Bakr's code of conduct to break his pledge. When
this difficulty was brought to the notice of the Holy Prophet, he
said that God would Himself provide a way out of the difficulty.

Mut'im. Abu Bakr called at the house of A1Mut'im. Al-Mut'im was
still a disbeliever, and Mu'tim's wife said to Abu Bakr "O son of
Abu Qahafa, suppose we married our son to your daughter, you would
turn him into an infidel, and convert him to your religion". Abu
Bakr made no reply, but turning to Mut'im said, "What does she
mean? " Mut'im said indifferently, "She is saying what you have
heard."

Abu Bakr said, "This means that you repudiate the engagement." "So
let it be," said Al-Mut'im.

Ayesha's engagement to the Holy Prophet. At the repudiation of the
engagement by Al-Mut'im, Abu Bakr felt happy, and returned home
relieved of a great burden. God had Himself provided a way out of
the difficulty. Abu Bakr hastened with the good news to Khawla, and
asked her to invite the Holy Prophet to his house. The Holy Prophet
responded to the call, and formally asked for the hand of Ayesha.
Abu Bakr was overwhelmed with joy and emotion and said, "O Prophet
of God, all that I have is yours".

At a simple ceremony Ayesha was engaged to the Holy Prophet. It was,
however, decided that the actual marriage ceremony would be held
later.

Age of Ayesha. In most of the accounts that have come down to us, it
is stated that at the time of her engagement to the Holy Prophet,
Ayesha was a girl of six or seven years only. This appears to be an
understatement. We have it on record that when Abu Bakr became a
Muslim his children included Abdur Rahman, Abdullah, Asma, and
Ayesha. Abu Bakr became a Muslim in 610 A.D. and Ayesha must be at
least eleven or twelve years of age at the time of her engagement,
and not six or seven years.

Abu Bakr's relationship with the Holy Prophet. After the engagement
of Ayesha to the Holy Prophet, the new relationship further
strengthened the bond, between the Holy Prophet and Abu Bakr. Abu
Bakr was now not merely a follower or a disciple; he was the Holy
Prophet's father-in-law as well. That added to his stature, and Abu
Bakr felt elated at the honor.

Witness to Truth
Ascension. One night in 620 C.E ., after the deaths of Abu Talib and
Khadija when the Holy Prophet felt sad and disconsolate, and things
for Islam appeared to be dark, the Holy Prophet was uplifted to the
Heavens, and there he was assured of the destiny of Islam. After
this experience of ascension the Holy Prophet declared that the
previous night he had been carried from Makkah to Masjid al Aqsa at
Jerusalem, and from there he had ascended to the heavens.

Reaction of the people. When the non-believing Quraish heard of this
visitation to the heavens, they regarded it as an absurdity, and
ridiculed the Holy Prophet for his declaration. They contended that
a caravan took a month to reach Jerusalem, and another month to come
back, and thus it was impossible for any one to go to Jerusalem and
return in one night. They further held that it was fantastic that a
man should ascend the heavens.

Reaction of Abu Bakr. There were some Muslims as well who wavered in
their belief in the truth about the ascension of the Holy Prophet to
the heavens. Some persons went to Abu Bakr, and told him of the news
of the journey of the Holy Prophet to Jerusalem and ascension to the
heavens. When some persons expressed doubts about the veracity of
the ascension, Abu Bakr silenced them with the remarks: "There are
many things beyond one's comprehension, and if Muhammad (peace be on
him) says that he went to Jerusalem and ascended the heavens, it
must be true for he never tells a lie, and being a prophet he
commands resources that are not available to others."

Witness to truth. On hearing the news, Abu Bakr hastened to the
mosque where the Holy Prophet was describing his nocturnal journey
to the people who had assembled there. After hearing the account,
Abu Bakr stood up and said: "All this is true. Your description is
faithful and correct. I believe in every word of what you have said,
for you say nothing but the truth. I testify that you are the
Messenger of God, and God has placed invisible forces at your
disposal. As such there is nothing improbable in your ascension to
the heavens."

Siddiq-the Veracious. The Holy Prophet felt happy at what Abu Bakr
had said. Addressing Abu Bakr, the Holy Prophet said: "Verily, Abu
Bakr you are the Siddiq. You have a penetrating vision and you can
discern the truth which an ordinary person finds difficult to
understand. Surely many things can be done under the command of
Allah which ordinary human intellect may not be able to grasp." That
is how Abu Bakr got the honorific title of 'Siddiq'- the Veracious
(Witness to Truth), which henceforward became a part and parcel of
his name.

Ar-Rum
Persian conquests. Four years after the proclamation of the mission
of the Holy Prophet, war broke out between the Persians and the
Byzantines. The sympathies of the Quraish of Makkah was with the
Persians who were polytheists. The Muslims on the other hand had
their sympathies for the Byzantines who were Christians and believed
in one God. In the war the Persians overran the Byzantine
territories. Syria and Jerusalem fell to Persians in 614 C.E. The
Persians next marched to Egypt and annexed it 616 C.E The Byzantines
were defeated, and lost a good deal of territory. The Quraish of
Makkah rejoiced at the victory of Persia. They took such victory to
signify that their gods were superior to the God of the Christians
arid the Muslims.

Surah Ar-Rum. It was at this stage that the Surah Ar-Rum (Surah )
was revealed. It provided: "Alif, Lam Mim. The Greeks (Byzantines)
have been defeated in a neighboring land; But after their defeat,
they will gain a victory within a few years Allah's is the command
before and after. On the day that the Greeks win a victory, The
believers will rejoice. Allah gives victory to whom He wills, He is
the Mighty One, the Merciful. That is Allah's promise. His promise
can never be untrue; yet most men do not know it."

Reaction of the Quraish. When the Holy Prophet informed his
companions of the revelation, they felt very happy. When the
revelation was made, the Byzantines lay low, and prima facie
appeared difficult that the Byzantines would defeat the Persians and
regain their territories. Even among the Muslims there were some
persons who felt skeptic. Abu Bakr's faith know no wavering. He felt
confident that the prophesy would be fulfilled. When the unbelievers
came to know of this revelation they ridiculed it. They said, "By
Lat and Uzza, the Byzantines can never defeat the Persians." Abu
Bakr had an altercation with some of the Quraish. He said "How can
the revelation of God be false?"

The Wager. Ubaiy b Khalf a Quraish leader said to Abu Bakr, "If you
are sure, let us have a wager. That will show where the truth lies."
Abu Bakr said "Agreed". The revealed verses did not specify any time
limit about the fulfillment of the prophesy. Abu Bakr consulted the
Holy Prophet as to the time limit and he said that God willing the
prophesy would be fulfilled within nine years. Abu Bakr accordingly
entered into a wager agreement with Ubaiy b. Khalf. According to the
agreement it was stipulated that the party which lost the wager
would pay one hundred camels to the other party. The time limit for
the fulfillment of the prophesy was fixed at nine years. It was
further laid down that the agreement would be binding on the heirs
of the parties.

Fulfillment of the prophesy. Within a few years the Byzantines were
strong enough to launch an attack against Persia. In the battle of
Issus in 622 C.E. the Persians suffered the first defeat. Other
battles were fought during 623-25 in which the Byzantines had the
upper hand. The decisive battle was fought on the banks of the
Tigris near the city of Mosul in 627 C.E. when Persia surrendered
and asked for terms. As a result of this reverse there was a revolt
against the Persian king Khosroes II who was killed by his own son
Sherwayh. Sherwayh made peace with the Byzantines by abandoning all
the conquests that Persia had made earlier. Thus the promise of God
as made in Surah Ar-Rum was literally fulfilled. By this time Ubaiy
was dead, but his heirs honored the agreement and gave a hundred
camels to Abu Bakr!

They also accepted Islam, for the fulfillment of the prophesy was a
proof positive of the truth of Islam. Abu Bakr gave away all the
hundred camels as Sadaqa.