Acceptance of Islam (Hazrat Musleh Mau’d’s (ra) Narration)

Narration 1

Mentioning Hazrat Abu Bakr’s (ra) acceptance of Islam, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) states:

“When the Holy Prophet (sa) announced his prophethood, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) at the time was away [from Mecca]. When he returned, one of his housemaids said to him, ‘Your companion has lost his senses,’” God forbid, “‘and he is uttering strange things. He states that angels descend upon him from the heavens.’

“Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) stood up at once and went to the house of the Holy Prophet (sa) and knocked at his door. The Holy Prophet (sa) came outside and Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) submitted, ‘I have only come to ask one thing from you. Have you stated that the angels of God descend upon you and speak to you?’ Thinking that perhaps Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) may misunderstand, the Holy Prophet (sa) tried to explain the situation.” This is the more common narration in our literature of the Jamaat on the history of Islam. “However, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) submitted, ‘Please do not explain yourself. All I want to know is, have you said such a thing?’ Again, thinking that perhaps Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) may ask questions such as the appearance of the angels and how they would descend upon him etc., the Holy Prophet (sa) wanted to say a few words to give some context; however, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) again submitted, ‘No, no, just tell me, is it true?’ The Holy Prophet (sa) stated that it was indeed true. Upon this, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) submitted, ‘I profess my belief in you.’ He then said, ‘O Messenger (sa) of Allah! The reason I stopped you from giving any explanation is that I wanted my faith to be on the basis of witnessing the truth for myself rather than pondering over the proofs. This is because after having witnessed you as truthful and virtuous, I am not in need of any other proof.’ Thus, what the Meccans had tried to conceal was manifested by Hazrat Bakr (ra) through this action of his.”

(Tafsir-e-Kabir, Vol. 2, pp. 251-252)

Narration 2

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) has mentioned the incident of Hazrat Abu Bakr’s (ra) acceptance of Islam in another place as well. While elaborating on another matter, he mentions this incident in the following manner:

“The way in which Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) became a believer was extraordinary. When it was revealed to the Holy Prophet (sa) that he should claim prophethood, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) was sitting in the house of a chief of Mecca. The chief’s housemaid came and said, ‘I do not know what has happened to Khadija. She is saying that her husband is a prophet just like Moses (as).’ People began to laugh upon hearing this news and said that people who made such claims were mad. However, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra), who was very well acquainted with the life of the Holy Prophet (sa), stood up at once and went to the door of the Holy Prophet (sa) and asked, ‘Have you made a claim?’ The Holy Prophet (sa) replied in the affirmative, saying, ‘Allah the Almighty has appointed me for the reformation of the world and has commanded me to abolish shirk [associating partners with Allah].’ Without any further enquiry, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) replied, ‘I swear by my father and mother, you have never spoken a lie and I cannot accept that you would lie regarding God. Thus, I profess belief in the fact that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that you are His Messenger.’ Following this, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) assembled such youths who acknowledged his virtue and righteousness”, i.e. those individuals who had witnessed the virtues and righteousness of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra), “and began to enlighten them. As a result, seven more individuals accepted the Holy Prophet (sa). All these youths were between the age of 12 and 25.”

(Daura-e-Europe, Anwar-ul-Ulum, Vol. 8, pp. 543-544)

Narration 3

Then, in another place, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) mentions this incident in the following manner:

“Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) accepted the Holy Prophet (sa) based on a single proof and never for a moment did any doubt enter his heart.” It is the same proof, but the incidents vary slightly. “That proof was that he had observed the Holy Prophet (sa) ever since childhood and he knew that he never told a lie, never did anything mischievous and never uttered anything vulgar or obscene. Thus, this is what he knew about him. He had no knowledge of any specific shariah [religious law] based upon which he could judge the truthfulness of the Holy Prophet (sa). He followed no law and knew nothing about what a prophet of God was, nor did he know about the proofs to substantiate a prophet’s truthfulness. All he knew was that the Holy Prophet (sa) never told a lie.

“He was on a journey, and on his way back, someone told him, ‘Your friend Muhammad (sa) says that he is a messenger of God.’ Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) enquired, ‘Did Muhammad (sa) really say this?’ The person replied in the affirmative. Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) then said, ‘He does not lie. Whatever he says must be true. Since he has never spoken a lie about anyone, he could never lie about God. If he never betrayed the people before, it is impossible that he would betray them to such an extent as to ruin their souls.’ This was the only proof for Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) to accept the Holy Prophet (sa), and this is exactly what God Almighty has also stated as a proof [of his truthfulness]. As such, He commanded [the Holy Prophet (sa)] to tell the people:

فَقَدْ‭ ‬لَبِثْتُ‭ ‬فِيْكُمْ‭ ‬عُمُرًا‭ ‬مِّنْ‭ ‬قَبْلِهٖ‭ ‬اَفَلَا‭ ‬تَعْقِلُوْنَ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

“[Ch.10: V.17]. In other words, ‘I lived amongst you for some time. Observe, during that time, I have not betrayed you in any way. How then, could I come to betray you with regard to God Almighty?’

“This was the evidence accepted by Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra), who said, ‘If he claims to be the messenger of God, then he is truthful and I believe him.’ After this, no doubt ever entered his heart, nor did his trust ever waver. He faced many a great trial and was forced to leave his wealth and homeland and even fight against his loved ones, but he never once doubted the truthfulness of the Holy Prophet (sa).”

(Bai‘at Karne Walo Ke Liyea Hidaayaat, Anwar-ul-Ulum, Vol. 6, pp. 76-77)

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) mentioned this incident of Hazrat Abu Bakr’s (ra) acceptance of the Holy Prophet (sa) while he was imparting guidance to those who had taken the bai‘at [pledge of allegiance].