A Simple Guide to ISLAM
Pious Caliphate
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Abu Bakr had lived a very simple and modest life. He had had
neither servants nor bodyguards. He used to come early in the
morning to the Prophet’s mosque to carry out the duties of the
state and to perform the congregational prayers. He even did
routine chores at home, sweeping the floor, feeding and milking
the goats, etc.
Abu Bakr lived and worked for Islam till his last breath. Although
his rule lasted only for two years, three months and ten days — a
very short span of time for a nation — he had been able to
perform great feats. One of the many great contributions made by
Abu Bakr was the collection and collation of the Quran in codex
form. His achievements have rendered his name immortal.
UMAR IBN AL-KHATTAB – THE SECOND
CALIPH (634-44)
Umar ibn Khattab, the second Caliph is the founder of the Arab
empire. He was born in pagan Makkah. He was converted to Islam
by his sister Fatimah, four years before the migration to Medina.
He was completely opposed to the Prophet at first. He had actually
set out to kill him. But on his way someone told him that his sister
and her husband had become Muslims. On hearing the most
shocking news he diverted his course, and rushed to his sister’s
home in great fury. At that moment Fatimah was reading some
passage from the Qur'an. She tried to hide that section of the
Qur'an as she saw him coming to her but Umar burst into the
house without giving them any time and began beating his brother-
