Immense Respect & Love for Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra)
Whilst mentioning an incident, perhaps in one of his darses [lectures], Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV (rh) stated that Hazrat Allamah Ubaidullah Sahib Bismil was a very distinguished Shia scholar. He was so learned and possessed such deep knowledge that even after becoming an Ahmadi, some of his books were not only being taught in the time of the Promised Messiah (as), but they were also being taught after the partition [of India] and continue to be taught in Shia schools today.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV (rh) says:
“I remember that a Shia gentleman came to speak to me when I was serving in the Waqf-e-Jadid department. After our discussion, he expressed his contentment and by the grace of Allah, he became an Ahmadi. After making this decision, he told me that he was a Shia scholar; however, he had not disclosed this to me previously. I do not remember exactly what position he held, but he was from a village in Sheikhupura or Faisalabad or from some area nearby. He told me that he held such and such position among the Shias and that he was a scholar.”
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV (rh) was saying that the person who pledged his allegiance was a Shia scholar, who lived in Shekhupura.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV (rh) continued by saying:
“He told me that he was a scholar and had held a high status among the Shias. He further said to me that even to this day, the books of Ubaidullah Sahib Bismil are still being taught in their schools.”
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV (rh) says:
“Such was the immense influence of his knowledge and yet, these Shias do not even tell us that they teach the books of Bismil Sahib. I only happened to find out through this scholar, but even whilst teaching these books, they do not mention who Bismil Sahib was and what happened to him later. He accepted the Promised Messiah (as) and relinquished all the honour he had attained from the time he spent whilst following the Shia faith.”
This is a reference from his book. Hence, the reference is not from any ordinary person.
Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) gave a reference from this book after explaining its background and said that Al-Bazar had written in his Musnad that Hazrat Ali (ra) asked of his people, “Tell me who is the bravest person?” They replied, “You are the bravest.” Hazrat Ali (ra) then said, “I always fight one who is equal to me so how can I be the bravest?” He asked again, “Who is the bravest?” (Bismil Sahib has written this reference in one of his books.) The people answered, “We do not know. Please tell us.” Hazrat Ali (ra) then stated, “The bravest and most courageous person is Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra).”
Hazrat Ali (ra) stated, “The most brave and courageous was Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra). Hearken! During the Battle of Badr, we made a canopy for the Holy Prophet (sa) and began conferring amongst ourselves as to who would stay with the Holy Prophet (sa) under the canopy, lest an idolater attacks the Holy Prophet (sa). By God! None from among us had stepped forward yet when Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) went with his sword drawn and stood beside the Holy Prophet (sa). Subsequently, no idolater dared to launch an attack. Had they dared to attack, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) would have struck them immediately. That is why he was the bravest of all” i.e. Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra). This incident was narrated by Hazrat Ali (ra).
Hazrat Ali, may Allah bestow him with honour, states:
“On one occasion, the idolaters surrounded the Holy Prophet (sa) and were dragging him around saying that he was the one who says that God is one. By God! No one had the courage to stand up to the idolaters (Hazrat Ali (ra) is narrating this). By God! No one had the courage to stand up to the idolaters, but Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) fought them and pushing them aside, he made them disperse. Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) kept on repeating the words, ‘Woe be unto you! You harm a person who says that only Allah is his Lord.’”
Stating this, Hazrat Ali (ra) lifted his cloak over his face and wept so profusely that his beard became soaked and then said, “May Allah guide you! O people tell me, were the believers from the people of the Pharaoh [in the time of Moses (as)] better or Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra)? Those from among the people of the Pharaoh who accepted belief did not sacrifice themselves for their prophet as much as Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) did.”
When the people heard this, they remained silent, upon which Hazrat Ali (ra) said, “O people! Why do you not respond? I swear by God! One moment [in the life] of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) is better and greater than a thousand moments of the believers from among of the people of Pharaoh. The reason for this is because the people in the time of the Pharaoh used to conceal their faith, whereas Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) professed his faith openly.”
(Dars al-Quran Hazrat Khalifatul Masih al-Rabi‘ (rh), 16 February 1994)