Titles Of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra)

Awwahun

Another title was “Awwahun”, which means extremely forbearing and tender-hearted. It is recorded in Tabaqat al-Kubra that Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) was called Awwahun due to his tenderness and kindness.

(Ibn Saad, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 3 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2012], p. 127)

He was called “Awwahun Munib”, which means tender-hearted and oft-returning to God. It is recorded in Tabaqat al-Kubra that the narrator heard Hazrat Ali (ra) say whilst standing at the pulpit, “Listen closely, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) was very tender-hearted and oft-returning to God. Listen closely, Allah the Almighty granted Hazrat Umar (ra) good-will, as a result of which he was a well-wisher.”

(Ibn Saad, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 3 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2012], p. 127)

Siddiq

Then, the reason for his title of Siddiq is also mentioned. Allama Jalaluddin al-Suyuti writes:

“As far as the title ‘Siddiq’ is concerned, it is said that this title was given to him during the period of jahiliyyah [era of ignorance prior the advent of Islam]. This was owing to the truthfulness demonstrated by him. It is also said that due to him immediately testifying to the news that the Holy Prophet (sa) would disclose to him, he was referred to as ‘Siddiq’.”

(Jalaluddin Abd al-Rahman bin Abi Bakr al-Suyuti, Tarikh al-Khulafa [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kitab al-Arabi, 1999], pp. 28-29)

Hazrat Aisha (ra) relates that when the Holy Prophet (sa) was taken to Baitul Maqdis and the Al-Aqsa Mosque (referring to the incident of Isra [the spiritual night journey]), people began to discuss this the next morning, after having been informed of the news. Among the people were some who had accepted the Holy Prophet (sa) and had testified to his claim but distanced themselves. (There were some who were of weak faith.)

At that time, some of the hypocrites came running to Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) and said, “Have you heard about your companion? He is claiming that he was taken to Baitul Maqdis last night.” Upon this, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) asked whether the Holy Prophet (sa) had actually said this, to which the people replied in the affirmative. Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) stated that if the Holy Prophet (sa) had said this then this was surely the truth. People asked Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) whether he was testifying to the fact that the Holy Prophet (sa) went to Baitul Maqdis the previous night and returned before the morning. (This was because Baitul Maqdis was approximately at a distance of 1,300 kilometres from Mecca.) Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) replied, “Yes, I attest to that and I will also attest to that which may seem to be even more improbable.” Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) then stated, “I also testify to the heavenly news which is revealed to the Holy Prophet (sa) every morning and every night.” For this reason, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) was known by the title of Siddiq.

(Al-Mustadrak ala al-Sahihain lil Hakim, Kitab Marifat al-Sahabah, Vol. 3 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2002], p. 4458)

Abu Wahb, the freed slave of Hazrat Abu Hurairahra, relates that the Holy Prophet (sa) once said, “The night I was taken [to Baitul Maqdis] (i.e. the incident of Isra), I said to Gabriel, ‘Surely, my people will not attest to me’”, meaning people would not believe him. “Gabriel said:

يُصَدِّقُكَ‭ ‬أَبُوْ‭ ‬بَكْرٍ‭ ‬وَهُوَ‭ ‬الصِّدِّيْقُ‬‬‬‬

“‘Abu Bakr will attest to you, for he is truthful (Siddiq).’” This is recorded in Tabaqat al-Kubra.

*(Ibn Saad, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 3, Abu Bakr Siddiq [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 1990], p. 167) *

Siddiq (The Promised Messiah’s (as) Narration)

The Promised Messiah (as) states:

“Allah the Almighty knows best the qualities which were found in Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) that led the Holy Prophet (sa) to call him Siddiq. The Holy Prophet (sa) also said that the reason for Hazrat Abu Bakr’s (ra) excellence is owing to that which is found in his heart, and upon pondering closely, it becomes clear that it is difficult to find a similar example to the degree of truthfulness exhibited by Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra). The reality is that in any era, when one tries to achieve the lofty standards of Siddiq, it is necessary that they strive as much as possible to establish the nature and qualities of Abu Bakr (ra) within themselves and to then pray as much as possible. Until one does not allow the qualities of Abu Bakr (ra) to overtake them, and does not become imbued with the same qualities, he cannot attain the lofty standards of being Siddiq.”

(Malfuzat, Vol. 1, pp. 372-373)

Siddiq (Hazrat Musleh Mau'd's (ra) Narration)

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) states:

“Hazrat Aisha (ra) relates that when the incident of Isra [i.e. the Spiritual Night Journey] took place, people went running to Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) and asked him whether he was aware of what his friend was saying. He asked them what it was that he was saying. They replied, ‘He says that he travelled to Baitul Maqdis at night and then returned.’”

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) further writes:

“Had the Holy Prophet (sa) mentioned the incident of the Mi‘raj [i.e. the Spiritual Ascension] having occurred at the same time as being part of the same incident, the disbelievers would have raised more of an issue with that aspect; however, they only said that the Holy Prophet (sa) claimed that he travelled to Baitul Maqdis in the night.

“When Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) attested to what the Holy Prophet (sa) said, the people said, ‘Do you accept this which goes against logic?’ Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) said, ‘I also accept the fact that divine words are revealed to him by day and by night.’”

(Tafsir-e-Kabir, Vol. 4, p. 286)

Amir al-Shakirin

“Amir al-Shakirin” was another title of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra), meaning the leader of the grateful. Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (ra) was known as Amir al-Shakirin because of how grateful he was. It is recorded in Umdat al-Qari that Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) would be called by the title of Amir al-Shakirin.

(Umdatul-Qari, Kitab Bad‘ al-Khalq, Bab Manaqib al-Muhajirin wa Fadlihim, Vol. 16, p. 260, Dar Ihya al-Turath al-Arabi, Beirut, 2003)

Sahub-ul-Rasul

Another title of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) is “Sahib-ul-Rasul”, which means “the Companion of the Messenger (sa)”.

Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) states that he once addressed a gathering and asked, “Who among you shall recite Surah al-Taubah?” One of them stated, “I will.” When he reached the verse:

إِذۡ‭ ‬يَقُولُ‭ ‬لِصٰحِبِهِۦ‮ ‬لَا تَحۡزَنۡ‬‬‬

That is, “When he said to his Companion, ‘Grieve not …’” [Ch.9: V.40], Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) began to cry and said, “By God, I was that very companion of the Holy Prophet (sa).”

(Ali bin Burhan al-Din al-Halabi, Al-Sirah al-Halabiyyah, Vol. 2, Bab Ard Rasul Allahsa Nafsihi … [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2002], p. 54)

Adam-e-Thani

Another title of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) was “Adam-e-Thani” [the Second Coming of Adam]. This title of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) was granted to him by the Promised Messiah (as). In one of his letters, the Promised Messiah (as) states:

“For Islam, Abu Bakr (ra) was the second coming of Adam; similarly, if Hazrat Umar Farooqra and Hazrat Uthman (ra), may Allah be pleased with both of them, did not show sincerity in the trust bestowed upon them, then it would be impossible for us to consider even one verse of the Quran to be from Allah the Almighty.”

(Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 2, p. 151, Maktub number 2, Maktub banam Hazrat Nawab Muhammad Ali Khan Sahib, Rabwah)

In Sirr-ul-Khilafah, the Promised Messiah (as) states – the translation of which is: “By God, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) was the second coming of Adam for Islam and the foremost manifestation of the spiritual grace of the Holy Prophet (sa), the Best of Creation.”

(Sirr-ul-Khilafah, Urdu translation of Sirr al-Khilafah, pp. 51-52)

Khalil-ul-Rasul

Another title of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) was “Khalil-ul-Rasul” [A Friend of the Messenger (sa)]. In various biographies, “Khalil-ul-Rasul” has been mentioned as one of the titles of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra). This is based upon a narration found in the books of ahadith in which the Holy Prophet (sa) mentioned that if he were to make someone a close friend [Khalil] it would be Abu Bakr (ra). It is narrated by Ibn Abbas in Sahih Bukhari that during his final illness, the Holy Prophet (sa) stated, “If I was to take someone as a close friend [Khalil] from among the people, it would be Hazrat Abu Bakr. However, the friendship and brotherhood in Islam is most superior. Close all the doors in this mosque except for the door of Abu Bakr.”

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Salah, Bab al-Khaufah wa al-Mumir fi al-Masjid, Hadith 467)

Our Research Cell has raised a question here [with regard to this title] and it is a valid point. They state that this hadith only mentions that if the Holy Prophet (sa) was to take someone as a close friend it would have been Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra), but he did not actually make him one. This has been explained by the Promised Messiah (as) in one place. The Promised Messiah (as) states:

“The explanation of the statement of the Holy Prophet (sa) whereby he mentioned that if he was to take someone as a close friend in this world, then it would have been Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra).”

Expounding upon this, the Promised Messiah (as) states:

“This particular statement needs explanation because the Holy Prophet (sa) considered Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) as a friend of his. Then what does this [hadith] mean? The fact of the matter is that a close friendship [khullat] is a bond that becomes deeply ingrained within a person. However, it is only befitting to establish a relationship of such a nature with Allah the Almighty alone. With everyone else, one simply forms a bond of brotherhood and kinship. The very meaning of the word ‘khullat’ is for something to take root (this is the highest form of its definition) just like the love for Yusuf had become deeply rooted in Zulaikhah. This is the very meaning of the pure words of the Holy Prophet (sa) in that no one can be held as an equal in one’s love for Allah the Almighty. If the Holy Prophet (sa) was to take someone as a very close friend in this world then it would have been Abu Bakr.”

(Malfuzat, Vol. 8, p. 277)

Allah the Almighty holds a distinct station and no one else can occupy that rank. But in terms of the general friendships that are formed in this world, Abu Bakr (ra) was indeed a friend of the Holy Prophet (sa), but even then this friendship with him was not like that of his bond of close friendship that he shared with Allah the Almighty. It is impossible for a prophet, and particularly for the Holy Prophet (sa), to take someone as a close friend just like their bond of friendship they shared with Allah the Almighty. This was not possible at all. However, if it were possible to form a friendship in worldly terms, then the Holy Prophet (sa) stated that Abu Bakr (ra) had the greatest right for this.

Atique

Then, with regard to the titles of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra), there are two titles which are well-known; one is Atiq and the other Siddiq. With regard to why he was called Atiq, it is mentioned that Hazrat Aisha (ra) stated that once, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) went to the Holy Prophet (sa), and the Holy Prophet (sa) said to him,

أَنْتَ‭ ‬عَطِيْقُ‭ ‬اللّٰهِ‭ ‬مِنَ‭ ‬النَّارِ‬‬‬‬

“You have been saved by Allah, from the fire”. Thus, from that day onward, he was given the title of Atiq.

(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Abwab al-Manaqib, Bab Tasmiyihi Atiqan, Hadith 3679)

There are some historians who believe that Atiq was not the title of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra), but was his actual name. However, this is not correct. Allama Jalaluddin al-Suyuti writes in Tarikh al-Khulafa,with reference to Imam Nawawi, that Hazrat Abu Bakr’s (ra) name was Abdullah, and this is more commonly accepted and correct. There are also some who say that his name was Atiq; however, the point upon which most scholars agree upon is that Atiq was his title, not his name.

(Jalaluddin Abd al-Rahman bin Abi Bakr al-Suyuti, Tarikh al-Khulafa, p. 27, Dar al-Kitab al-Arabi, Beirut, 1999)

The reason for being called Atiq as recorded in Sirat Ibn Hisham is that it was due to the beauty of his countenance and his overall elegance and grace.

(Ibn Hisham, Al-Sirah al-Nabawiyyah, Islam Abi Bakr wa man ma‘ahu [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar Ibn Hazm, 2009], p. 117)

The following reasons for being called Atiq have been recorded in the commentary of Sirat Ibn Hisham; Atiq means al-Hasano; in other words, one who possesses excellent qualities. In other words, he was safeguarded from any condemnation and shortcomings.

It is also said that he was called Atiq because none of his mother’s children would remain alive, and she vowed that if she ever had a child, she would name him Abdul Ka‘bah and would devote the child for the service of the Ka‘bah. When he remained alive and grew into a young man, he was called Atiq, i.e. one who was saved from death.

(Ibn Hisham, Al-Raud al-Unf fi Tafsir al-Sirah al-Nabawiyyah, Vol. 1, Islam Abi Bakr [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Edition 1], p. 430)

There are also various other reasons found for being called Atiq; according to some, he was called Atiq because there was no blemish in his ancestry whereby someone could raise an allegation against it.

(Ibn Abd al-Barr, Al-Isti‘ab fi Ma‘rifat al-Ashab, Vol. 3, Abdullah bin Abi Quhafah [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Jil, 2002], p. 963)

Another meaning of Atiq is ancient or old; thus, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) was also called Atiq because he had always been one to carry out virtuous and good deeds.

(Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, Al-Isabah fi Tamyiz al-Sahabah, Vol. 4 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2005], p. 146)

Similarly, he was also called Atiq because of being the foremost to accept Islam and in doing good works.

(Umdat al-Qari, Kitab Bad‘ al-Khalq, Bab Manaqib al-Muhajirin wa Fadlihim, Vol. 16, p. 260, Dar Ihya al-Turath al-Arabi, Beirut, 2003)

Thani Ithnain

Another title was “Thani Ihtnain” [one of the two]. Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiqra was given the title of Thani Ithnain by Allah the Almighty. Allah the Almighty stated:

إِلَّا‭ ‬تَنصُرُوهُ‭ ‬فَقَدۡ‭ ‬نَصَرَهُ‭ ‬اللّٰهُ‭ ‬إِذۡ‭ ‬أَخۡرَجَهُ‭ ‬الَّذِينَ‭ ‬كَفَرُواْ‭ ‬ثَانِيَ‭ ‬اثۡنَيۡنِ‭ ‬إِذۡ‭ ‬هُمَا‭ ‬فِي‭ ‬الۡغَارِ‭ ‬إِذۡ‭ ‬يَقُولُ‭ ‬لِصٰحِبِهِۦ‭ ‬لَا‭ ‬تَحۡزَنۡ‭ ‬إِنَّ‭ ‬اللّٰهَ‭ ‬مَعَنَاۖ‭ ‬فَأَنزَلَ‭ ‬اللّٰهُ‭ ‬سَكِينَتَهُۥ‭ ‬عَلَيۡهِ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

“If you help him not, then know that Allah helped him even when the disbelievers drove him forth while he was one of the two when they were both in the cave, when he said to his companion, ‘Grieve not, for Allah is with us.’ Then Allah sent down His peace on him.” [Ch.9: V.40]

The Promised Messiah (as) states:

“During a period of great hardship and difficulty, Allah the Almighty comforted His Prophet (sa) through him. He was honoured by being granted the title of Al-Siddiq [the truthful] and he enjoyed the nearness of the Holy Prophet (sa). Moreover, Allah the Almighty bestowed upon him the title of being ‘one of the two’ and counted him amongst His most chosen servants …”

“Can you point towards any other man who has been referred to as ‘one of the two’, who has been named a close companion of the Prophet (sa) of both realms, and who has been made a recipient of the blessings enshrined in the words ‘Allah is with us’, and who has been declared as one of the two individuals who were granted divine succour? Do you know of anyone else who has been praised in the Quran in such a manner? Or whose character has been secured against all doubts and suspicions? Or regarding whom it has been stated, not as mere conjecture, but rather in clear and emphatic verses of the Holy Quran that he was among those accepted by God?

“By Allah, I cannot find anyone other than Hazrat Abu Bakr al-Siddiqra who has received such special and clear mention in the Scripture of the Lord of the Ancient House [Ka‘bah]. Therefore, if you are in doubt concerning that which I have said, or if you think that I have deviated from the truth, then quote even a single instance of another individual being mentioned in such terms in the Quran, if you are indeed truthful.”

(Sirr-ul-Khilafah, Urdu translation of Sirr-ul-Khilafah , pp. 60, 63-64)

The Promised Messiah (as) wrote this in Sirr-ul-Khilafah.

Khalifatu Rasulillah

It is also recorded that aside from Atiq and Siddiq, Abu Bakr (ra) had other titles as well, such as “Khalifatu Rasulillah” [The Khalifa of the Messenger (sa) of Allah]. Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) was also known as Khalifatu Rasulillah, as it is recorded in a narration that a person once said to Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra):

خَلِيْفَةُ‭ ‬رَسُوْلِ‭ ‬اللّٰهِ‬‬

“O Khalifa of Allah!” Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) said, “Do not say Khalifa of Allah; rather, say Khalifa of the Messenger (sa) of Allah.”

(Ibn Saad, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 3, Dhikr Bai‘at Abi Bakr Siddiq [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 1990], p. 137)

That is, he was the successor to the Holy Prophet (sa) and he was content with this. In the commentary of Sahih Bukhari, Allama Badr al-Din Aini states that historians are unanimous in the fact that Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) was known as Khalifatu Rasulillah, and of course, this title was given to him after the demise of the Holy Prophet (sa) when he became a Khalifa.

(Umdatul-Qari, Kitab Bad‘ al-Khalq, Bab Manaqib al-Muhajirin wa Fadlihim, Vol. 16, p. 260, Dar Ihya al-Turath al-Arabi, Beirut, 2003)

Thus, it cannot be said that this title was from the time of the Holy Prophet (sa); rather, this title was given to him by the people after the time of the Holy Prophet (sa), or Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) chose this title for himself.