Relationship & Friendship with the Holy Prophet (sa) Prior to Prophethood

With reference to Hazrat Abu Bakr’s (ra) relationship and friendship with the Holy Prophet (sa) prior to prophethood, it is narrated by Ibn Ishaq and others that they were friends even prior to prophethood. Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) was fully aware of the Holy Prophet’s (sa) honesty, trustworthiness, virtuous nature and excellent morals. In one narration, it is said, “Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) was friends with the Holy Prophet (sa) even in the jahiliyya [era of ignorance prior to the advent of Islam].”

(Ibn Kathir, Al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah, Vol. 2, Ch. 3, Bab Dhikr Awal man Aslama, [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2001] 29, p. 32)

In Siyar al-Sahabah it is written, “From childhood, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) had a special bond of love and reverence with the Holy Prophet (sa). He was part of the Holy Prophet’s (sa) close associates and often had the fortune of travelling with him on many trade expeditions.”

(Sheikh Shah Moinuddin Ahmad Nadvi, Siyar al-Sahabah, Vol. 1, p. 56)

With regard to the Holy Prophet’s (sa) circle of friends prior to his prophethood, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahib (ra) writes:

“Prior to his prophethood, the circle of friendly relations of the Holy Prophet (sa) seems to be quite limited. This is because the Holy Prophet (sa) was one to prefer seclusion from the beginning and never intermingled with the common society of Mecca during any part of his life. However, there were a few individuals with whom the Prophet (sa) possessed a relationship of friendship. The most distinct among them was Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra), also known as Abdullah bin Abi Quhafah, who belonged to a noble family of the Quraish. On account of his nobility and aptitude, his people looked upon him with great reverence. Next to him was Hakim bin Hizam, who was the nephew of Hazrat Khadijah (ra). He was a man of exceptionally good nature. In the beginning, he did not accept Islam, yet he held feelings of sincerity and love for the Holy Prophet (sa). Ultimately, his natural propensity drew him to Islam. The Holy Prophet (sa) also had relations with Zaid bin Amr. He was a near relative of Hazrat Umar (ra) and was among those who had abandoned polytheism even in the time of the jahiliyyah. He attributed himself to the Abrahamic Religion, but passed away prior to the advent of Islam.”

(Sirat Khatamun-Nabiyyin, p. 114)