Hadhrat Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu Insists On Preaching Islaam Openly And Is Grievously Hurt After Delivering A Sermon
Hadhrat Aa’isha Radiallahu Anhua narrates that on one occasion when the eighty-three companions of Rasulullaah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam got together, Hadhrat Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu insistently asked Rasulullaah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam for permission to preach Islaam openly. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said, “0 Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu! We are too few.” However, Hadhrat Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu continued insisting until Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam gave the permission. The Muslims then scattered in different areas of the Masjidul Haraam, each one taking a place amongst his tribesmen. Hadhrat Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu then stood up to deliver a sermon as Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam remained seated. This was the very first public sermon dedicated to inviting people towards Allaah and His Rasul Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam.
The Mushrikeen then attacked Hadhrat Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu and the Muslims and wherever they were in the Masjidul Haraam, they were beaten very severely. Hadhrat Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu was trampled and beaten most savagely. The wretched Utba bin Rabee’ah started hitting Hadhrat Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu with his shoes that had a sole stuck onto another (making them thick and hard). He hit Hadhrat Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu so much and also jumped on his stomach that the soles actually twisted and the nose of Hadhrat Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu could not be differentiated from his face.
The Banu Taym tribe (to which Hadhrat Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu belonged) came running and pushed the Mushrikeen away from Hadhrat Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu. They then carried him in a sheet and took him home. By then they were convinced that he would die. The Banu Taym then returned to the Masjidul Haraam and announced, “By Allaah! We shall definitely kill Utba bin Rabee’ah if Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu dies!” thereafter, they returned to Hadhrat Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu and together with (his father) Abu Quhaafa, they started talking to Hadhrat Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu to get him to respond. Hadhrat Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu finally spoke after the day had passed and asked, “How is Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam?” His people rebuked and criticised him.
They then stood up (to leave) and said to (his mother) Ummul Khayr, “Take care of him and give him something to eat or drink.” When his mother was alone with him, she insisted that he eat, but he kept asking, “How is Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam?” She said, “I swear by Allaah that I have no knowledge about your friend.” He said, “Go and ask Ummu Jameel bint Khattaab about Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam? His mother left to meet Ummu Jameel and asked her, “Abu Bakr (Radiallahu Anhu) wants to know from you about Muhammad bin Abdillaah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam).” Ummu Jameel responded by saying, “I neither know Abu Bakr (Radiallahu Anhu) nor Muhammad bin Abdillaah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam). However, if you like, I shall go with you to see your son.” Ummul Khayr agreed and Ummu Jameel accompanied her until they came to Hadhrat Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu who was lying down (unable to even sit) and extremely ill.
Coming closer, Ummu Jameel cried, “By Allaah! Those who did this to you must be people of kufr and sin! I hope that Allaah takes revenge from them on your behalf.”
Hadhrat Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu then asked, “How is Rasulullaah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam)?”” Ummu Jameel said, “Your mother is listening.” He said, ‘You have nothing to fear from her.” She then replied, “Rasulullaah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) is safe and sound.” “Where is he?” Hadhrat Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu asked further. Ummu Jameel said, “He is in the house of Arqam.” Hadhrat Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu vowed, “I swear by Allaah that I shall neither eat or drink until I go to Rasulullaah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam)” The two ladies then waited for a time (late at night) when the movement of people had calmed down and people were resting. Giving him support, they then took him to Rasulullaah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam. (When he saw Hadhrat Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu) Rasulullaah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam hugged him and kissed him. The other Muslims also hugged him and (seeing his battered condition) Rasulullaah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam took great pity on him.
Hadhrat Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu said, “May my parents be sacrificed for you, 0 Rasulullaah! (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) There is nothing wrong with me except for what that wretch did to my face. This is my mother who has been exceptionally good to me. You are a most blessed person so invite her towards Allaah and pray for her. Perhaps Allaah shall use you to save her from the Fire of Jahannam.” Rasulullaah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam then made du’aa for her and invited her to believe’in Allaah. She then accepted Islaam.
For a month, the Muslims who numbered thirty-nine individuals stayed with Rasulullaah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam in that house. Hadhrat Hamza bin Abdil Muttalib (the uncle of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) accepted Islaam on the day that Hadhrat Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu was beaten up.
From: Hayaatus Sahaabah
