A Simple Guide to ISLAM
Pious Caliphate
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years younger than the Prophet), Abu Bakr was too keenly aware of
the sincerity and truthfulness of the Prophet to have any
misgivings.
However, on hearing this news, Abu Bakr went to see the Prophet,
and asked him about the message of this religion that he was
preaching. Having unshakeable faith in the Prophet, he accepted
Islam without any second thoughts. That is why he was given the
title As Siddiq (the upright) by the Prophet. He was thus the first
male convert to Islam, and was one of the Prophet’s oldest
supporters. Abu Bakr’s father, Uthman, (better known as Abu
Qahafa) and his mother, Salma, had named him Abdul Kaaba,
meaning “the servant of the Kaaba”. But when he embraced Islam,
the Prophet changed this pagan name to Abdullah and gave him the
surname of Abu Bakr.
Even prior to Islam Abu Bakr had been respected for his good
moral character. He was honest and truthful and had good
relations with everyone. The Quraysh trusted him and consulted
him for solutions to their problems. Now, after having accepted
Islam, he began to spread the word of Allah in his own social
circle. As a result of his efforts, some very promising and talented
people accepted Islam, most of whom were his friends. They were
— Usman ibn Affan, Zubayr ibn Al Awam, Abdur Rahman ibn Auf,
Saad ibn Abi Waqqas, Abu Ubaydah ibn Al Jarrah, Khalid ibn
Sayeed, etc.
When the Quraysh came to know of his role in the spread of Islam,
they turned against him and began to persecute him. But he
