HEROES OF ISLAM

There are multitude of heroes in Islam in respect of their services. Influenced by Prophet Muhammad ( peace be upon him), his innumerable followers spent their whole once given life for the propagation of Islam and peace, oftentimes even sacrificing their lives without giving any second thoughts. Hence, it is our responsibility to make the coming generations aware of their sacrifices in order for their legacy to be continued which is in great demand nowadays.

Though I cannot write on all the legends, I’m writing about one of my favorite companion of the Holy Prophet Muhammad(pbuh).

Hazrat Abu Bakar — The AS- SIDDIQ ( Testifier to the Truth)

He was the first, free male adult to embrace Islam without any reluctance. After the Holy Prophet, he was the most significant missionary of Islam. He gave salvation from persecutions by their masters to many slaves. He, without fail, stood by the Holy Prophet in the course of the most critical period of his mission. He donated all his wealth and possessions in the Tabuk expedition. He was elected as the first Khalifa of Islam after Holy Prophet’s demise. He brought unity among the Muslims, crushed the power of the false prophets and put an end to rebellions at home and abroad. He laid the foundations of a truly democratic state by dividing Arabia into provinces each under a governor. He appointed a judge who administered justice. He established military cantonments and also gave a proper shape to the public treasury. In consideration of the difficulties arising out of Holy Prophet’s death and the services rendered by him to the cause of Islam, Abu Bakr may rightly be called the ‘Saviour of Islam’. He didn’t merely save Islam in Arabia, he made Islam a world force which successfully confronted the might of the Persian and Byzantine Empires. His contribution towards preserving the Holy Quran is of immense value. His calm judgement and sagacity with a compassionate heart came into great service for Islam.

Famous Speech

Abu Bakr delivered a famous speech when he was appointed as the Khalifa(leader) :

“O people, I have been appointed over you, though I am not the best among you. If I do well, then help me; and if I act wrongly, then correct me. Truthfulness is synonymous with fulfilling the trust, and lying is equivalent to treachery. The weak among you is deemed strong by me, until I return to them that which is rightfully theirs, insha Allah. And the strong among you is deemed weak by me, until I take from them what is rightfully (someone else’s), insha Allah. No group of people abandons military/armed struggle in the path of Allah, except that Allah makes them suffer humiliation. And evil / mischief does not become widespread among a people, except that Allah inflicts them with widespread calamity. Obey me so long as I obey Allah and His Messenger. And if I disobey Allah and His Messenger, then I have no right to your obedience.”

Lessons

The right of citizens to inspect their leader and to hold him accountable is gifted to every citizen. Truthfulness should be the foundation of all transactions, policies and conducts between a leader and his people. The most strong foundations of a Muslim country are justice and equality for each and every single being regardless of their race, colour or social status.