Hazrat Abu Bakr-His Life and Contribution to Arabic Prose
Hazrat Abu Bak-His Life and Contribution to Arabic Prose
Hazrat Abu Bakr-His Life and Contribution to Arabic Prose
Brief Life Sketch: Hazrat Abu Bakr was one of the favourite companions of the founder of Islam, the first convert to Islam, the first righteous Caliph of the Islamic state established by the Prophet, the compiler of the Qur’an, and an efficient administrator. He was born in 573 AD to the famous Banu Taif tribe of Mecca. His father’s name was Abu Kahaf and his mother’s name was Umme Khayr. He was born into a pagan clan, but from an early age, he hated idolatry and believed in monotheism. He was kind, humble and philanthropic from his childhood. His father was a businessman and Abu Bakr was involved in business with him from an early age.
In 610 AD, Hazarat Muhammad (peace be upon him) received the Prophethood from Allah and Abu Bakr was the first to embrace Islam from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Once after receiving the Prophethood, Allah made the Prophet visit the Upper World (Meraj). The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) gave Abu Bakr the title of ‘Siddiq’ (believer) because he believed the event of the Prophet’s journey to heaven without the least doubt whereas the disbelievers found it difficult to believe it.
In 622 AD, when the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) migrated from Mecca to Medina after being oppressed by the pagan inhabitants of Mecca, Abu Bakr accompanied the Prophet to Medina. In Medina, Abu Bakr took an active part in all the campaigns against the various anti-Islamic infidels and helped the prophet with money. On August 29, 632 CE, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) passed away and Abu Bakr succeeded the Prophet as the first just Caliph of the Islamic state established by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) centered in Medina.
After the death of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), several people claimed to be ‘prophets’ and many newly converted Muslims left Islam and began to oppose it. The newly appointed Caliph Abu Bakr suppressed the false prophets and apostates with a very harsh hand and saved Islam from chaos.
The Qur’an revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was not compiled during his lifetime. The Qur’an was memorized by the Companions. However, many Hafiz (Qur’an memorizers) were martyred in the Battle of Ridda. Therefore, on the advice of Hazarat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), Abu Bakr compiled the Qur’an in book form under the leadership of Hasan bin Thabit.
Abu Bakr then campaigned in Syria and Iraq, part of the Byzantine Empire. He died in 634 AD while this expedition was going on.
Contributions to Arabic Language and Literature: Hazrat Abu Bakr was an educated man. He was interested in poetry and wrote some poems, but he was not a professional poet. However, he contributed to the development of the Arabic language and literature. He himself memorized many hadiths of the Prophet and disseminated them among the people.
Hazrat Abu Bakr was an eloquent speaker. His speeches were incomparable and influential in terms of the seriousness of thought, choice of words, depth of perception, etc. After the death of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), there was much controversy over the election of the next Caliph. Then, he made some statements addressing the Ansar regarding their role to the spreading of Islam. An excerpt of one of his speeches quoted given below as an example of his prose style–
“O the Ansars! No one can deny the matter of your sacrifices and services to the religion and your glorious superiority to the rest of all who embrace Islam first. Allah loves you and has sent the Prophet to you as helpers of His religion and the Messenger. His best Companions are among you. We do not consider anyone equal to you after the early Muhajirs. So we are rulers and you are ministers. We will do nothing without consulting you, and we will not make any decision without your counsel.”
The above-quoted lines prove how simple, logical and powerful the prose of Hazrat Abu Bakr was.
Hazrat Abu Bakr also developed and promoted Arabic prose through his sermons during Friday prayers. Thus, although he was not a writer himself, Abu Bakr contributed to the development of Arabic prose. 0 0 0.
Hazrat Abu Bakr-His Life and Contribution to Arabic Prose
Read More: A Brief History of Arabic Literature: Pre-Islamic Period (500 AD-622 AD)
Hazrat Abu Bakr-His Life and Contribution to Arabic Prose
N.B. This article ‘Hazrat Abu Bakr His Life and Contribution to Arabic Prose’ originally belongs to the book entitled ‘A Brief History of Arabic Literature: Early Islamic Period (622 AD-661 AD) by Menonim Menonimus. Hazrat Abu Bakr-His Life and Contribution to Arabic Prose
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