Lessons from the Lives of Aboo Bakr and ‘Umar [May Allaah be Pleased with them both] [Part 2]

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Shaykh Saaleh bin ‘Abdullah bin Humayd [May Allaah Preserve him]
Royal Advisor to the King and Member of Committee of Senior Scholars
Seerah Khulafaa Sayyid al-Mursaleen Conference
Prince Faisal bin Fahad Masjid, Riyadh
11/11/1433 - 28/9/2012

Virtues of Aboo Bakr [May Allaah be Pleased with him]

As the hadeeth stated above shows, that in this Ummah there are levels the best of generation were the one that the Prophet was sent to, and as another Hadeeth says, “The best of generations is my generation and those after them and those after them” [Narrated by al-Bukhaari (2652); Muslim (2533)]. Therefore, we know that there are levels in the Ummah of virtue and from the most virtuous out of the virtuous of generations was Aboo Bakr as-Siddeeq [May Allaah be Pleased with him]. They are the best of people after the Prophets and the one they chose, with consensus, to take over the leadership after the Prophet was Aboo Bakr [May Allaah be Pleased with him]. He was called as-Siddeeq and was a companion of the prophet even before Prophethood. The Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said about him, “If the Eemaan of my Ummah was placed on side of the scales and the Eemaan of Aboo Bakr on the other side, then his Eemaan would way out the rest of the Ummah” [Narrated by Bayhaqee in Shu’bah al-Eemaan (1/69); Ibn ‘Adee in Kaamil (14/201); classed as Saheeh by Al-Albaanee in Silsilah ad-Da’eefah (13/770)]. He was as-Siddeeq and this isn’t a small statement about him as The Prophet said, “Upon you is to have as-Sidq…” [Narrated by Muslim (2607)]

Therefore, being a Siddeeq can happen to anyone from this Ummah, however Aboo Bakr is known as the one from this Ummah whose Sidq no one can match. His purity in his heart, purity of the chest, purity of his soul and the purity of his himself is what is being witnessed here.

My brothers, Sidq and being pure is not a small matter. His name of as-Sideeq came about in the event of Israa’ wa al-Mi’raaj. The Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] claimed to go from Makkah to Jerusalem and then to the seventh heaven in a just a few hours, gone after ’Ishaa and back before Fajr. The Kuffaar rejoiced at this and this was a Fitnah in the time, the Kuffaar thought they now had a chance to prove that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him]  was a liar and some of the companions were in a level of doubt as well. However the stance of Aboo Bakr as-Siddeeq was clear and firm, he affirmed the miracle and said, “This is possible because I believe in something greater than this. I believe that Jibreel comes from the seventh heaven to reveal upon him from His Lord.” This is the answer from the one who had no doubt in Islaam and the level of Eemaan of this man is yet unmatched.

It is also from the strength of his Eeman and knowledge that he remained firmed and acted upon the guidance of Islaam. For example, when the Prophet died, the companions and Madeenah was in disarray. Some went into seclusion and others were in denial, but Aboo Bakr remained firm. He said, “Whoever worships Muhammad then let him know he has passed away but whoever worships Allaah then let him know that he is alive and cannot die.” This is the strength of his Eemaan, a level of strength and Sidq that wasn’t even found in the other companions of the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him], despite all of them having the pleasure of Allaah and all of them being trustworthy. He was firm and his level of knowledge and Ijtihaad was unmatched, he remained firm with those who opposed him in issues of ‘Aqeedah and fought those who refused to pay Zakaah, despite all the other companions being doubtful in such issues.

Another instance was the fact that the prophet decided to send the army of Usamah [May Allaah be Pleased with him] on an expedition to the north, however The Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] died but Aboo Bakr [May Allaah be Pleased with him]  remained firm and continued with the decision of The Prophet, despite some who opined that during the death of The Prophet, this perhaps wasn’t the best time to send out an army.

His caliphate was only for two and a half years, but in this period he set the foundations of the caliphates that came after him. He founded the religion upon firmness which helped it become apparent throughout the lands.

He was the chosen one to lead the Ummah after The Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] with consensus and he chose ‘Umar bin al-Khattab [May Allaah be Pleased with him] to take over after his death.

Virtues of ‘Umar bin al-Khattaab [May Allaah be Pleased with him]

Umar, similar to but Aboo Bakr [May Allaah be Pleased with him]  , had an amazing Seerah and life. His Eemaan, his Sidq, his life and his deeds all were something for us to be amazed by. One of the best things he did in his life was setting a Shoora. A Shoora, my brothers, is what gives the Muslims honour and strength, and there was never affair to small at the time of Umar for the Shoora to discuss. He would often sit with other around him to discuss matters and gain other peoples thoughts and opinions, therefore having a Shoora and consulting others is not a weakness, rather it is a strength. Even in the Makkan stage of Islaam, Allaah, the Most High, praised those who did Shoora:

“And those who answer the Call of their Lord [i.e. to believe that He is the only One Lord (Allah), and to worship none but Him Alone], and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and who (conduct) their affairs by mutual consultation, and who spend of what We have bestowed on them.” [Shoora 42:38]

My brothers; Shoora is encouraged in all our affairs, even in our households. Some think it is a sign of weakness if he asks for his wives opinion on something but this is wrong, Allaah, the Most High, says;

“…and let each of you accept the advice of the other in a just way.”  [Talaaq 65:6]

The word Ma’roof in the Quraan and the Sunnah is anything good, so each spouse is encouraged to be good to the other and consult each other in their affairs.

“If they both decide on weaning, by mutual consent, and after due consultation, there is no sin on them.”  [Baqarah 2:233]

So having a Shoora is an important part of life and making decisions, in your house, in your studies, at work etc. all of these aspects of life need consultation and other peoples input.

And Allaah Knows Best.

May the Peace and Blessings be Upon the Messenger, His Kulafaa, His Family and all those who follow them until the Last Day.