THE LEGACY OF LOYALTY

THE LEGACY OF LOYALTY

When Hazrat Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه was laying on his deathbed, Ummul Mu’mineen Hazrat Ā’ishah رضي الله عنها sat by his head weeping. Hazrat Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه said to her;

“Dear daughter! I had been amongst the wealthiest of the Quraysh in my trade, but when I was given the responsibility of Khilaafah, I took from the treasury what was necessary to support me. All that has remained of this wealth is a cloak, a cup and a slave. So give these to Umar after I have passed on.”

When this was done, Hazrat Umar رضي الله عنه started to weep as he said;

“May Allah have mercy on Abu Bakr! He has made it difficult for anyone to speak against him. By Allah! If his Īmān is weighed against the Īmān of all people on earth, his (Īmān) would weigh heavier. By Allah! I wish I was a hair on the chest of Abu Bakr.”

Hazrat Ā’ishah رضي الله عنها reports that Hazrat Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه left the world without a Dinār or Dirham. Everything he had was deposited into the Baitul Maal.

(Zuhd 110 and Mataalib Vol 4, page 37)

(SOURCE: 100 Stories about Hazrat Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه by Sheikh Muhammad Siddeeq Manshaawi, translated by Mufti AH Elias)

REFLECTIONS

The greatest lesson we can learn from the life of Hazrat Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه was his unflinching loyalty to Sayyiduna Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه وسلم. His abstinence was on a completely different level.

Attachment to the world certainly impacts upon our relationship with Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله; it is thus imperative that we endeavour to emulate the Sahaba رضوان الله عليهم أجمعين  and adopt simplicity in all aspects of our lives. May Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله make this a reality in our lives. آمين