Acceptance of Islam (The Promised Messiah’s (as) Narration)

Narration 1

The Promised Messiah (as) states:

“The Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, bestowed the title of Siddiq [the Truthful] to Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra). So, Allah the Exalted knows best the countless excellences of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra). The Holy Prophet (sa) also said that the superiority of Hazrat Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, is owed to a quality that exists in his heart. In truth, the sincerity demonstrated by Abu Bakr (ra) is truly matchless. The fact of the matter is that in every era, anyone who desires to develop within themselves the excellences of a Siddiq and be one from among the Truthful must struggle, insofar as is possible, to inculcate within their being the nature and disposition of Abu Bakr (ra) and then pray for this purpose as much as possible. Until a person is covered by the shade of Abu Bakr’s nature and does not take on the hue of his disposition, they cannot attain the excellences of the Truthful.”

The Promised Messiah (as) further states:

“What is the nature of Abu Bakr (ra)? This is not the occasion for a detailed discussion and discourse on this subject, as much time would be required for such an exposition. To be brief, I shall narrate an incident.

“When the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, made his claim to prophethood, Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him, had travelled to Syria for the purpose of trade. On his return, he was still en route when he happened to meet someone. Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) enquired of him as to the circumstances in Mecca and asked him if there was any current news. It is commonly observed that when a person returns from a journey, they will ask their fellow countrymen about the circumstances of their homeland. The individual responded, ‘What is new is that your friend [Muhammad (sa)] has made a claim to prophethood.’ As soon as Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) heard this, he responded, ‘If he has made such a claim, then he is truthful indeed.’ This shows the degree to which Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) thought well of the Holy Prophet (sa). He felt no need to ask for a miracle. In actuality, only such a one who is uninformed of a claimant’s circumstances, or who is unrelated to them, will ask to be shown a miracle for their heart’s satisfaction. But as for the one who has no objection, what need has he for a miracle?

“In short, Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (ra) affirmed his belief in the Holy Prophet (sa) even before he had returned home. When he arrived in Mecca, he presented himself before the Holy Prophet (sa) and enquired, ‘Have you claimed to be a Prophet?’ The Holy Prophet (sa) said, ‘Yes, this is correct.’ At this, Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (ra) said, ‘Bear witness that I am the first of those who have affirmed your truthfulness.’ However, these were not mere words; in fact, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) demonstrated that his actions accorded with his words. This was to such an extent that he fulfilled his oath until his very last breath and did not leave the Holy Prophet (sa) even after death.”

(Malfuzat, Vol. 1, pp. 372-374)

Narration 2

In the commentary of the verse of Surah al-Rahman:

وَلِمَنْ‭ ‬خَافَ‭ ‬مَقَامَ‭ ‬رَبِّهٖ‭ ‬جَنَّتَانِ‬‬‬‬

“But for him who fears to stand before his Lord there are two Gardens” [Ch.55: V.47], the Promised Messiah (as) presented the example of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) and stated:

“Take Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (ra) as an example; he encountered a person whilst returning from Syria and asked him for the latest news. The person replied, ‘There is no news other than the fact that your friend, Muhammad[sa] has claimed prophethood’. Upon this, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) replied, ‘If he has claimed prophethood then he is truthful. He could never be a liar.’ Afterwards, Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (ra) went straight to the Holy Prophet (sa) home and said to him, ‘May you bear witness that I was the very first to believe in you.’ Ponder over the fact that he did not demand a miracle from the Holy Prophet (sa). It was solely on the basis of what he knew about him from before that made him accept him.

“Remember, miracles are demanded by those who are unacquainted. For an old friend, the events of a person’s life suffice as a miracle. Thereafter, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) had to face great struggles; he endured hardships and extreme pain. Although he endured the most pain and suffering, he was also the first to succeed the throne of prophethood.” Allah the Almighty rewarded him in this world, and was assured Paradise in the Hereafter. “He who once had to toil all day in his business, was eventually appointed as the first successor to the Holy Prophet (sa).”

(Malfuzat, Vol. 10, pp. 78-79)

Narration 3

Then, at one instance, the Promised Messiah (as) states: “There are two types of people: there are those who are pure in nature and are the foremost to believe. Such people are wise and sagacious, just like Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (ra). Then there are those foolish, who only act when something befalls them.”

(Malfuzat, Vol. 3, p. 261)

In other words, they only think to accept when they are faced with a hardship or affliction.