Among the greatest Suhaba or companions of Prophet SAW who rendered unparalleled services to Islam was Amirul Moomineen Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (R.A.). He was destined to be the first Caliph after the Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.). His full name is Abdullah bin Abu Quhafah Uthman bin Aamer Al Qurashi Al Taymi. He belonged to the Quresh tribe to which the Prophet (S.A.W.) belonged and his lineage joins with that of the Prophet (S.A.W.) six generations before himself, in Murrah Ben Kaab.

Abu Bakr Siddiq (R.A.) took birth in Makkah Arabia in the year 573 AD (Christian Era), two years and some months after the birth of the Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.). Abu Bakr (R.A.) was brought up nicely by his good parents, thus he gained a considerable self-esteem and noble status . His father Uthman Abu Quhafah accepted Islam on the Day of Victory in Makkah whereas his mother Salma bint Sakhar, also known as Umm Al Khair, had embraced Islam in the early years of spread of Islam, and migrated to Madinah.
His daughter as also Umul Moomineen (Mother of the Muslims), Aisha (R.A.) describes the physical appearance of her father Abu Bakr Siddiq (R.A.) as being a slim white man with slight shoulders, thin face, sunken eyes, protruding forehead and the bases of his fingers were hairless.
Abu Bakr Siddiq (R.A.) spent his early childhood, like other contemporary Arab children , among the Bedouins. It is said that in his early years, he played with the camel calves and goats, and it was his love for camels that earned him the nickname "Abu Bakr", meaning ‘the father of the camel's calf.’ But others say that this title signifies his being first and foremost to the prophet(SAW)
It was in the year 591 AD at the age of 18, that Abu Bakr (R.A.) took to trade as his profession of cloth merchant, which happened to be the business of his family. He commenced his business with the capital of forty thousand dirhams. In the coming years Abu Bakr (R.A.) traveled extensively with caravans (camel train, series of camels carrying passengers from one place to another). Business trips took him to Yemen, Syria, and many other countries in the current Middle East. His business progressed and inspite of the fact that his father was still alive, Abu Bakr (R.A.) came to be recognized as chief of his tribe owing to his many qualities such as knowledge about the history of Arabs tribes (genealogical knowledge), politics, trade/business, his kindness and many other.
Abu Bakr Siddiq (R.A.) was immensely virtuous. Even before becoming Muslim, he would never indulge in taking intoxicants. He would refrain from such evils to the extent that once while passing through a street he saw some persons gambling at a distance, he at once changed that route and took to another one so that he might not have had aardvark glimpse of the people indulging in evil practices.
Moreover even before accepting Islam, Abu Bakr Siddiq (R.A.) had never prostrated to idols. Once sitting inthe company of the Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) and his Sahaba (Companions), Abu Bakr (R.A.) informed the gathering that he had never prostrated to an idol. Narrating an incident he said, "As I approached adulthood, my father led me to a chamber of idols (in Kaaba)". Pointing to the gods his father said: “These are your grand elevated gods.” After saying this, my father departed to attend to some other business. I advanced to an idol and said: “I am hungry can you feed me?” It didn't answer. I said: “I am in need of beautiful clothes; bestow them on me.” It didn't answer. I threw off a rock upon it, and it fell down."Thereafter, Abu Bakr (R.A.) did never go to the
chamber of idols in Kaaba to pray to the idols.
Thus even before entering the fold of Islam, Abu Bakr Siddiq (R.A.) had attained great values, high ethics, and sound behavior within the ignorant society. He had gained fame amongst the Makkan people as a leader over the others in morality and values. Thus, the Quraish tribesmen would never discard or criticise him for any deficiency.
It was after a long search for the true religion that led Abu Bakr Siddq (R.A.) to accept Islam. In fact, Abu Bakr (R.A.) was the first man to respond and believe in Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.). His prompt acceptance for Islam was a sequel of the steadfast friendship he had with the Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.). Abu Bakr (R.A.) was fully aware that the Prophet (S.A.W.) has been a truthful, honest, and noble person, that he has never been untruthful to people, so how he would be untruthful to Allah?
As Abu Bakr (R.A.) embraced Islam, the Prophet (S.A.W.) got overjoyed, because Abu Bakr (R.A.) proved to be a source of triumph for Islam, due to his intimacy with Quraish tribe and his noble character that Allah Has exalted him.
As a matter of fact, Abu Bakr Siddiq (R.A.) had always doubted the validity of idolatry and had never any inclination for worshipping idols. So when he joined the realm of Islam, he did his best to attract other people to it. Soon Uthman bin Affan (R.A.), Abdul-Rahman bin Awf (R.A.), Talhah bin Ubaydillah (R.A.), Saad bin Abi Waqqas (R.A.), Al-Zubair bin Al-Awwam (R.A.) and Abu Ubaydah bin AI-Jarrah (R.A.) all flocked to join Mohammad (S.A.W.). In a Hadith (tradition) the Prophet (S.A.W.) has said:
''Abu Bakr was the only person who accepted Islam immediately, without suspicion”. ( To Be Continued )

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