أَبُو بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقُ

Who was Abu Bakr? His name is 'Abd Allaah ibn 'Uthmaan, known as Abu Bakr. He was a respected merchant of Mecca, a friend of the Prophet ﷺ long before the revelation, known for his gentleness and his honesty. He was the first free adult man to embrace Islam [À VÉRIFIER : formulation habituelle chez les historiens], and many great Companions became Muslims through him, such as 'Uthmaan ibn 'Affaan, 'Abd ar-Raḥmaan ibn 'Awf or Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqaaṣ [À VÉRIFIER : liste, sîra d'Ibn Hichâm].

"Aṣ-Ṣiddiiq": the one who confirms the truth Aṣ-Ṣiddiiq means the one who believes fully and confirms the truth. It is reported that when people came to tell him that the Prophet ﷺ claimed to have travelled by night to Jerusalem, he answered: "If he said it, then he has spoken the truth" [À VÉRIFIER : source du récit]. What is certain is that the Prophet ﷺ called him by this name: one day he climbed Mount Uḥud with Abu Bakr, 'Umar and 'Uthmaan, and the mountain shook; he said: "Be still, Uḥud! On you there is only a prophet, a ṣiddiiq and two martyrs" (Bukhari 3675).

In the cave During the Hijra, Abu Bakr accompanied the Prophet ﷺ. They hid in the cave of Thawr, and their pursuers arrived right above them. Abu Bakr says: "I said: if one of them looked down at his feet, he would see us!" The Prophet ﷺ answered: "What do you think of two people of whom Allah is the third?" (Bukhari 3653, Muslim 2381). The Qur'an recalls this moment: "when he said to his companion: do not grieve, Allah is with us" (meaning of 9:40, text below).

The most beloved 'Amr ibn al-'Aaṣ asked the Prophet ﷺ: "Who is the person you love most?" He answered: "'Aa'isha." "And among men?" "Her father", meaning Abu Bakr; then he named 'Umar (Bukhari 3662, Muslim 2384). The Prophet ﷺ also said: "If I were to take an intimate friend (khaliil) other than my Lord, I would have taken Abu Bakr" (Bukhari 3656, Muslim 2383) [À VÉRIFIER : numéros].

A generous heart Abu Bakr spent much of his wealth for Islam. He bought and freed Muslims who had been enslaved and tortured for their faith, including Bilaal. 'Umar used to say: "Abu Bakr is our master, and he freed our master", meaning Bilaal (Bukhari 3754).

A single day One day the Prophet ﷺ asked his Companions: "Which of you is fasting today?" Abu Bakr said: "I am." "Who has followed a funeral today?" "I have." "Who has fed a poor person today?" "I have." "Who has visited a sick person today?" "I have." The Prophet ﷺ said: "These deeds do not come together in someone without him entering Paradise" (Muslim 1028). The Prophet ﷺ also announced that Abu Bakr would be called from all the gates of Paradise (Bukhari 1897, Muslim 1027).

The hardest day When the Prophet ﷺ died, the Companions were overwhelmed; some did not want to believe it. Abu Bakr came in, kissed the face of the Prophet ﷺ, then went out and said to the people: "Whoever worshipped Muhammad, Muhammad has died; whoever worships Allah, Allah is alive and does not die." Then he recited: "Muhammad is only a messenger; messengers have passed away before him…" (meaning of 3:144) (Bukhari 3667-3668) [À VÉRIFIER : numéros]. His steadfastness calmed the whole community.

The first caliph The Companions chose him as the first caliph. He preserved the unity of the Muslims and, on 'Umar's advice, had the Qur'an gathered into a single collection, entrusted to Zayd ibn Thaabit (Bukhari 4986). His caliphate lasted about two years; he died in the year 13 of the Hijra and was buried next to the Prophet ﷺ [À VÉRIFIER : dates].

Understanding the lesson

Explanation Abu Bakr is the example of the faithful friend. He believed first, he believed to the end, and he never doubted: that is the meaning of "aṣ-Ṣiddiiq". In the cave, it is fear for the Prophet ﷺ that worries him, not fear for himself. The Prophet's ﷺ answer ("two people of whom Allah is the third") teaches that true safety comes from Allah. His day of good deeds shows that greatness is not made of a single exploit, but of small deeds brought together: fasting, accompanying the dead, feeding, visiting. On the day the Prophet ﷺ died, he showed that love for the Prophet ﷺ does not prevent us from remaining attached to Allah, the Ever-Living: his sentence became a rule of faith for the whole community.

Lessons to draw from it • Choose friends who bring you closer to Allah, as the Prophet ﷺ and Abu Bakr were for each other. • In fear or stress, remember: "Allah is with us". • Try, one day of the week, to bring together several good deeds, like Abu Bakr. • Use what you have (money, time, talents) to help those who suffer. • Stay firm and calm in difficult moments, holding on to Allah.

Key points to remember • Aṣ-Ṣiddiiq: the one who believes fully and confirms the truth (Bukhari 3675). • The cave: "What do you think of two people of whom Allah is the third?" (Bukhari 3653, Muslim 2381; 9:40). • He freed Bilaal (Bukhari 3754). • Fasting, a funeral, feeding a poor person, visiting a sick person in one day (Muslim 1028). • "Whoever worships Allah, Allah is alive and does not die"; the first caliph.

The main message Abu Bakr teaches us faithfulness: believing with certainty, loving with loyalty and serving Allah through many small good deeds, in easy days as in the hardest ones.

The text: Surah At-Tawba (9), verse 40 [TEXTE ARABE À INSÉRER : sourate 9:40]

Meaning: "If you do not help him, Allah has already helped him when those who disbelieved drove him out, the second of two, when they were both in the cave and he said to his companion: 'Do not grieve, Allah is with us.' Then Allah sent down His tranquillity upon him, supported him with soldiers you did not see, and made the word of those who disbelieved the lowest, while the word of Allah is the highest. Allah is Mighty and Wise." The commentators explain that "his companion" is Abu Bakr [À VÉRIFIER : formulation].

Arabic text: deliberately not typed, to avoid any error; it is to be copied from the centre's mushaf (or a verified source) at the place indicated.