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Face book: Khalid Hameed

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CHAPTER 3:
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Caliphs of Islam

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1.

ABU BAKR AS-SIDDIQ Radi Allahu Anhu: First Caliph of Islam

(Ab Bakr as-iddiq or 'Abdullh bin Ab Quhfah, 573 CE 23 August 634/13 AH)

LIFE AFTER ACCEPTING ISLAM

His birth name was 'Abdullah. His wife Qutaylah bint Abd-al-Uzza did not accept Islam and he divorced her.
His other wife, Um Ruman , became a Muslim. All his children except Abd ar-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr
accepted Islam, and Abu Bakr separated from his son Abd ar-Rahman . His conversion brought the
most benefit to Islam. Abu Bakr 's Dawah brought many people to Islam. He persuaded his intimate
friends to convert to Islam. He presented Islam to others in such a way that many of his friends opted for
Islam. Those who converted to Islam at the instance of Abu Bakr were:

Uthman Ibn Affan (who would became the 3rd Caliph)

Al-Zubayr (part of the Muslim conquest of Egypt)
Talhah
Abd ar-Rahman bin Awf (who would remain an important part of the Rashidun Empire)
Sa`d ibn Abi Waqqas (part of the Islamic conquest of Persia)
Umar ibb Masoan
Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah (who remained commander in chief of the Rashidun army in Syria)
Abdullah bin Abdul Asad
Abu Salma
Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed ibn Sa`id
Abu Hudhaifah ibn al-Mughirah
Abu Bakr 's acceptance proved to be a milestone in Muhammad 's mission. Slavery was common in
Makkah, and many slaves accepted Islam. When an ordinary free man accepted Islam, despite opposition,
he would enjoy the protection of his tribe. For slaves however, there was no such protection, and were
subjected to persecution. He gave 40,000 dinar for the sake of Islam. Abu Bakr felt for these slaves, so
he purchased them and set them free. Abu Bakr purchased the freedom of eight slaves, four men and
four women.
The men were:

1. Bilal ibn Ribah

2. Abu Fakih

3. Ammar ibn Yasir

4. Abu Fuhayra

1. Lubaynah
2. Al-Nahdiah
3. Umm Ubays
4. Harithah bint al-Muammil
CALIPHATE OF ABU BAKR
Caliph Abu Bakr's empire was at its peak in August 634. After Muhammad's death, previously dormant
tensions between the Makkah immigrants, the Muhajireen, and the Madinan converts, the Ansar,
threatened to break out and split the Ummah. The Ansar, the leaders of the tribes of Madina, met in a hall
or house called saqifah, to discuss whom they would support as their new leader. When Abu Bakr was
informed of the meeting, he , Umar , Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah and a few others rushed to prevent
the Ansar from making a premature decision. Accounts of this meeting vary greatly. All agree that during
the meeting Umar declared that Abu Bakr should be the new leader, and declared his allegiance to
Abu Bakr , followed by Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah and Abu Bakr became the first Muslim Caliph, who
was given the title, Khalifa-tul-Rasool (Successor of messenger of Allah), a title only accepted by Sunni
Muslims. Some criticize Abu Bakr for forsaking the funeral of Muhammad to attend the political
gathering, and believe that Muhammad had already appointed Ali in his lifetime as his successor. This
view portrays Abu Bakr and Umar as plotters in a political coup against the Ali s. The most recent
detailed western account of Madelung also portrays Abu Bakr as a political opportunist whose character
as the founder of Sunni Islam has been extensively embellished by subsequent kings and emperors
(Caliphs) making it difficult to openly criticize him.
Caliph Abu Bakr 's empire was at its peak in August 634. After assuming the office of Caliphate Abu Bakr
's first address was as follow:
The women were:

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I have been given the authority over you, and I am not the best of you. If I do well, help me; and if I do
wrong, set me right. Sincere regard for truth is loyalty and disregard for truth is treachery. The weak
amongst you shall be strong with me until I have secured his rights, if God wills; and the strong amongst
you shall be weak with me until I have wrested from him the rights of others, if God wills. Obey me so long
as I obey God and His Messenger . But if I disobey God and His Messenger , ye owe me no obedience.
Arise for your prayer, God have mercy upon you.
Abu Bakr 's Caliphate lasted for 27 months, during which he crushed the rebellion of the Arab tribes
throughout Arabia in the successful campaign against Apostasy. He launched campaigns against the
Sassanid Empire and the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) and thus set in motion a historical
trajectory that in just a few short decades would lead to one of the largest empires in history. He had little
time to pay attention to the administration of state, though state affairs remained stable during his
Caliphate. On the advice of Umar and Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah he agreed to have a salary from state
treasury and abolish his cloth trade.

Ridda-Wars:

Troubles emerged soon after Abu Bakr 's succession, threatening the unity and stability
of the new community and state. Several Arabic tribes revolted against Abu Bakr . In four of the six
Centres of the insurrection, the rebels rallied around people who claimed to be prophets, the most
prominent among these Musaylima. The tribes claimed that they had submitted to Muhammad only and
that with Muhammad 's death, their allegiance had ended. This was common practice in pre-Islamic
Arabia. After the death of a tribal leader the alliance with the tribe of that leader was regarded as having
ended. Thus several tribes acted in accordance to this pre-Islamic practice and refused to pay Zakat
(Charity). Abu Bakr , however, insisted that they had not just submitted to a simple human leader but
joined the Muslim religious community, of which he was the new head. So, in contrast to pre-Islamic times,
their allegiance was not seen as having ended at all. This was the start of the Ridda wars (Arabic for the
Wars of Apostasy).
The apostasy of central Arabia was led by self-proclaimed prophet Musaylima of in al-Yamama, while the
other centers were to the south and east in Bahrain, Oman, Mahra region and Yemen. Abu Bakr planned
his strategy accordingly and formed the Muslim army into 11 corps. The strongest corps and this was the
main punch of the Muslim army, was that of Hazrat Khalid Bin
Waleed ibn al-Walid and was used to
fight the most powerful of the rebel forces. Other corps were given areas of secondary importance in which
to bring the less dangerous apostate tribes. Abu Bakr 's plan was first to clear the area of west and
central Arabia (the area nearest Madina), then tackle Malik ibn Nuwayrah, and finally concentrate against
the most dangerous enemy Musaylima. After series of successful campaigns, Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed ibn
al-Walid finally defeated Musaylima and his tribe, the Hanifah, in the Battle of Yamama.
The Campaign of the Apostasy was fought and completed during the eleventh year of the Hijrah. The year
12 Hijrah dawned, on March 18, 633, with Arabia united under the central authority of the Caliph at
Madinah. This phenomenon was later regarded as primarily a religious movement by Arabic historians.
However, the early sources indicate that in reality it was mainly political. After all, the revolting Arabs only
refused to pay Zakat (Charity), but they did not refuse to perform the Salah. This however is disputed and
explained by Muslim scholars in that the dictation of Zakat was one of the five pillars of Islam and its denial
or withholding is an act of denial of a cornerstone of faith, and is therefore an act of apostasy. Bernard
Lewis states that the fact that Islamic Historians have regarded this as a primarily religious movement was
due to a later interpretation of events in terms of a theological world-view. The opponents of the Muslim
armies were not only apostates, but also - if not most of them - tribes which were largely or even
completely independent from the Muslim community. However, these revolts also had a religious aspect:
Madinah had become the centre of a social and political system, of which religion was an integral part;
consequently it was inevitable that any reaction against this system should have a religious aspect.

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THE QUR'AN PRESERVATION:

According to Sunni Islam, Abu Bakr was instrumental in

preserving the Qur'an in written form. It is said that after the hard-won victory over Musaylima in the Battle
of Yamama fought in 632, Umar (the later Caliph Umar), saw that many of the Muslims who had
memorized the Qur'an had died in battle. Fearing that the Qur'an may be lost or corrupted, Umar
requested the Caliph Abu Bakr to authorize the compilation and preservation of the Book in written
format. After initial hesitation, Abu Bakr made a committee headed by Zayd ibn Thabit which included
the memorizers of the Qur'an and Umar and to collect all verses of the Book. After collecting all Qur'anic
verses from texts in the possession of various Sahaba, Zayd ibn Thabit and members of his committee
verified the reading by comparing with those who had memorized the Qur'an. After they were satisfied that
they had not missed out any verse or made any mistakes in reading or writing it down, the text was written
down as one single manuscript and presented in a book form to the Caliph Abu Bakr . This process
happened within one year of the death of Muhammad when most of his Sahaba (companions) were still
alive, ensuring that the text would not be corrupted in any form.
Prior to his death, Abu Bakr gave this authorized copy of the Qur'an to Umar - his successor. It
remained with him throughout his tenure as Caliph (10 years). Prior to his death, Umar gave this Book to
his daughter Hafsa bint Umar , who was one of the wives of Muhammad . Umar did not nominate his
successor on his deathbed, and thus preferred to leave this copy with Hafsa so as not to indicate his
personal preference of who would be the next caliph. Later on, it became the basis of Uthman Ibn Affan 's
definitive text of the Qur'an which was published far and wide merely 18 years after the death of
Muhammad . Later historians give Uthman Ibn Affan the principal credit for re-verification and
publishing the Qur'an. Some rejects the idea that Abu Bakr or Umar were instrumental in the collection
or preservation of the Qur'an.

Military Expansion:

Once the rebellions had been put down, Abu Bakr began a war of conquest.
Whether or not he intended a full-out imperial conquest is hard to say; he did, however, set in motion a
historical trajectory that in just a few short decades would lead to one of the largest empires in history. Abu
Bakr began with Iraq, the richest province of Persian Empire. He sent his most brilliant general Hazrat
Khalid Bin Waleed ibn al-Walid to invade the Sassanid Empire.
The Battle of Kazima: In March 633 C.E., a Muslim column under Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed (R.A) marched to
Iraq and started operations in the region of Uballa on the Persian Gulf. The two forces met at kazima, in opening
duel, Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed Killed the Persian commander Hormuz. The Muslims launched the attack which
was withstood by the chain-linked Persian infantry. The Muslims increased the pressure and the Persians were
forced to fall back. The Persians found their chains to be death trap and as they retreated held together in
chains they were slaughtered in thousands. The battle of chains at Kazima unchained the gate of Iraq for the
Muslims.
The Battle of Mazar: The next confrontation with the Persians took place at Mazar on Tigris. The Persians
forces were led by three Generals Qarin, Qabaz and Anushjan. All the three Generals died in fighting against
Muslims and they were defeated badly with a death toll exceeding 30,000.
The Battle of Walaja: The next encounter took place at Walaja. The Persian forces were led by Andarzaghar.
The battle began with the a duel in which Hazrat Khalid (R.A) killed his adversary. The Persians gained some
initial success, but the bulk of their army was annihilated.
The Battle of Ulleis: The nest battle took place at ulleis ten miles from Walaja. It was a bloody battle in which
over 70,000 Persians perished. So large were the killings that the river on the bank whereof the battle was
fought virtually became a river of blood.
Conquest of Hirah: From Ulleis the Muslim forces marched to Hirah. There was Persian force to resist
Muslims. The citizerns of Hirah surrendered and agreed to pay Jizya to the Muslims.
The Battle of Anbar: Towards the close of June 633 C.E. Hazrat Khalid marched with his army to Anbar. Here
after a little resistance Persian army surrendered and agreed to Jizya.
The Battle of Ein-at-Tamr: From Anbar the Muslim forces proceeded to Ain-at-Tamr. Here the Christian Arabs
led by their chief Aqqa offered resistance. Aqqa was taken captive, and the citizens of Ein-at-Tamr offered
submission on the usual terms.
The Battle of Daumatul Jandal: When Hazrat Khalid bin Waleed began his operastions in southern Iraq,
Hazrat Abu Bakr Sadeeq (R.A) sent another column under Hazrat Iyaz bin Ghanam to operate in Daumatul
Jandal sector. But Hazrat Iyaz failed to capture ans at the last resort he wrote Hazrat Khalid bin Waleed for help.
Then Hazrat Khalid Marched towards Daumatul Jandal in it fell in August 633 A.D.
The Battle of Firaz: In December 633 A.D., Hazrat Khalid occupied Firaz at the outer most edge of Persian
Empire in the Euphrates valley. By the end of 633 A.D., the Muslims were masters of Euphrates valley in Iraq.
Defeat of Khalid Bin Saeed: During the active operations in Iraq, Hazrat Abu Bakr Sadeeq (R.A) stationed a
garrison at Tayma to the east of Tabuk to protect the borders against any attack by Syrian. But here Hazrat
Khalid bin Saeed suffered with a serious defeat.
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Call of Jihad on Syrian Front: In February 634 A.D., Hazrat Abu Bakr Sadeeq (R.A) issued a call for Jihad on
the Syrian front. By March 634, a large force mustered at Madina ready to march to Syria. These warriors were
formed into four corps of 7000 men each and sent to Syria under the command of Hazrat Abu Ubaidah (R.A).
Khalid Bin Waleeds March from Iraq to Syria: The Byzantine emperor Heraclius planned action on a large
scale. He mustered forces of Ajnadein numbering over lac. The four small Muslim corps that were operating in
Syria were no match for the large concentration of the Byzantine forces. Hazrat Abu Bakr Sadeeq (R.A) ordered
Hazrat Khalid bin Waleed (R.A) to march from Iraq to Syria and over the chief command on Syrian front.
The Battle of Busra: The first encounter of Khalid bin Waleed (R.A) with the Byzantine army took place at
Busra in July 634 C E. It was a hardly contested battle which was ultimately won by the Muslims.
Siege of Damascus: From Busra, Hazrat Khalid bin Waleed marched towards northward to Damascus. The
Byzantine emperor Hercalius garrisoned all forts in Syria and ordered a huge concentration of forces in the
south at Ajnadein. The situation was critical for Muslims. If they pressed the siege of Damascus the danger was
that the Byzantine army from Ajnadein might attack the Muslim army from the rear. The Muslims accordingly
raised the siege of Damascus, and marched to Ajnadein.
The Battle of Ajnadein: The total strength of Muslim forces assembled at Ajnadein was about 40,000, while
the strength of the Byzantine forces was over one lac. It was hardly contested battle in which the Muslims won
an astounding victory. As many as 50,000 Byzantine soldiers were killed while only 450 Muslims were martyred.
Damascus Again: After winning the battle of Ajnadein, the Muslims marched to Damascus of Muslims. There
was a confrontation at Yaqusa on the Yermuk in which the Byzantines were defeated and Muslims pushed
forward to Damasus. There was another confrontation Marjus Saffar, 12 miles from Damascus. Here again the
Byzantines were defeated and the siege of Damasus began on 21st August 634 C.E., and on 23rd August,
Hazrat Abu Bakr Sadeeq (R.A) was dead. Before his death Abu Bakr nominated Hazrat umar at his successor.

INVASION OF SASSANID PERSIAN EMPIRE

After the Ridda Wars, a tribal chief of north eastern Arabia, Misnah ibn Haris, raided the Persian towns in
Iraq. With the success of the raids, a considerable amount of booty was collected. Misnah ibn Haris went to
Madinah to inform Caliph Abu Bakr about his success and was appointed commander of his people, after
which he begun to raid deeper into Iraq. Using the mobility of his light cavalry he could easy raid any town
near the desert and within moments could disappear again in to the desert, into which the Sassanid army
was unable to chase them. Misnahs acts made Abu Bakr think about the expansion of the Rashidun
Empire.
Abu Bakr started with the invasion of Iraq. The problems faced by Abu Bakr were that the Arabs
feared the Persians with a deep, unreasoning fear which ran in the tribal consciousness as a racial complex
and was the result of centuries of Persian power and glory. In return the Persian regarded the Arab with
contempt. It was important not to suffer a defeat, for that would confirm and strengthen this instinctive
fear. To make certain of victory, Abu Bakr decided on two measures; that the invading army would
consist entirely of volunteers; and he put in command of the army his best general Hazrat Khalid Bin
Waleed ibn al-Walid . After defeating the self-proclaimed prophet Musaylima in the Battle of Yamama,
Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed was still at Al-Yamama when Abu Bakr sent him orders to invade the
Sassanid Empire. Making Al-Hirah the objective of Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed , Abu Bakr sent
reinforcements and ordered the tribal chiefs of north eastern Arabia, Misnah ibn Haris, Mazhur bin Adi,
Harmala and Sulma to operate under the command of Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed along with their men. In
about third week of March 633 (first week of Muharram 12th Hijrah) Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed set out
from Al-Yamama with an army of 10,000. The tribal chiefs, with 2,000 warriors each, joined Hazrat Khalid
Bin Waleed ; Thus Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed entered the Persian Empire with 18,000 troops.
After entering Iraq with his army of 18,000, Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed won decisive victories in four
consecutive battles: Battle of Chains, fought in April 633 A.D;Battle of River, fought in the 3rd week of
April 633 A.D; Battle of Walaja, fought in May 633 A.D (where he successfully used a double envelopment
maneuver), and Battle of Ullais, fought in the mid of May, 633 A.D.
By now the Persian court already disturbed by the internal problems, was down and out. In the last week of
May 633 A.D, Hira capital city of Iraq fell to the Muslims after resistance in the Siege of Hira. After resting
his armies, in June 633 A.D Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed laid siege of Al Anbar, which resisted and was
eventually surrendered after a siege of a few weeks in July 633 A.D after the Siege of Al-Anbar. Hazrat
Khalid Bin Waleed then moved towards the south, and conquered the city of Ein ul Tamr after the Battle
of Ein ut Tamr in the last week of July, 633 A.D. By now, almost the whole of Iraq (Euphrates region) was
under Islamic control.

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Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed got a call of help from northern Arabia at Daumat-ul-Jandal, where another
Muslim Arab general, Ayaz bin Ghanam, was trapped among the rebel tribes. Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed
went to Daumat-ul-jandal and defeated the rebels in the Battle of Daumat-ul-jandal in the last week of
August, 633 A.D. Returning from Arabia, he got news of the assembling of a large Persian army. He decided
to defeat them all separately to avoid the risk of defeat to a large unified Persian army. Four divisions of
Persian and Christian Arab auxiliaries were present at Hanafiz, Zumiel, Sanni and Muzieh. Hazrat Khalid Bin
Waleed devised a brilliant plan to destroy the Persian forces. He divided his army in three units, and
attacked the Persian forces in brilliantly coordinated attacks from three different sides at night, starting
from the Battle of Muzieh, then the Battle of Sanni, and finally the Battle of Zumail during November 633
A.D. These devastating defeats ended Persian control over Iraq, and left the Persian capital Ctesiphon
unguarded and vulnerable for Muslims attack, before attacking the Persian Capital Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed
decided to eliminate all Persian forces from south and west, he accordingly marched against the border
city of Firaz, where he defeated the combined forces of the Sassanid Persians, Byzantine Romans and
Christian Arabs in the Battle of Firaz in December 633 A.D. This was the last battle in his conquest of Iraq.
While Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed was on his way to attack Qadisiyah, a key fort in the way to Persian
Capital Ctesiphon, he received the letter of Caliph Abu Bakr and was sent to Roman front in Syria to
assume the command of Muslim armies to conquer Roman Syria.

INVASION OF EASTERN ROMAN (BYZANTINE) EMPIRE

With a successful invasion of Sassanid Persian province of Iraq, Abu Bakr s confidence grew and he
concentrated large army at Zhu Qussai and sent them to Roman Syria, the army was divided in four corps.
Each, under its own commander and target. While these armies where on there March towards there target
they received intelligence of concentration of large Byzantine armies at Ajnadayn. The armies stopped their
advance and wrote to Abu Bakr for help. Position in Iraq was stable by now, Caliph accordingly wrote to
Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed to take half of his forces of Iraq to Syria and assume the command of Muslim
armies in Syria.
The Byzantine province of Syria in those days consisted of modern day Syria, Jordan, Israel, the Palestinian
territories, Lebanon and southern Turkey. There were two routes towards Syria from Iraq, one was via
Daumat-ul-Jandal and the other was through Mesopotamia passing though Ar Raqqah. Muslim armies in
Syria were in need of urgent reinforcement, Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed avoided the conventional route to
Syria via Daumat ul Jandal because it was a long route and would take weeks to reach Syria, he avoided
Mesopotamias route because of presence of Roman garrisons in Northern Syria and Mesopotamia and
engaging with them at the time when Muslim armies were being outflanked in Syria, was not a wise idea.
Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed selected a rather short route to Syria, an unconventional route passing though
Syrian Desert. He boldly marched his armies though desert were it is recorded that his soldiers marched for
two days without a single drop of water, before reaching a pre-decided water source in oasis. Hazrat Khalid
Bin Waleed thus entered Northern Syria and caught Byzantine at their right flank and according to
modern historians, it was this ingenious strategic maneuver of Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed , his perilous
march though desert and appearing at the north-eastern front of Byzantines while they were occupied in
tackling Muslim armies in southern Syria, that unhinged the Byzantine defenses in Syria.
Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed entered Syria in June 634 and quickly captured the border forts of Sawa, Arak,
Tadmur, Sukhnah. Qaryatayn and Hawarin were captured after the Qaryatayn and the Hawarin. After
dealing with all these cities, Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed moved towards Damascus, passing though a
mountain pass which is now known as Sanita-al-Uqab (Uqab pass) after the name of Hazrat Khalid Bin
Waleed 's army standard. From here he moved away from Damascus, towards Basra, the capital of
Ghassanid Arab kingdom, a vassal of Eastern Roman empire. He had ordered other Muslim commaders to
concentrate their armies at Busra, which were still near the Syrian-Arabia border. At Maraj-al-Rahab, Hazrat
Khalid Bin Waleed defeated a Ghassanid army of Christian Arabs in a quick Battle of Marj-al-Rahit.
Meanwhile Abu Ubaida ibn al-Jarrah , the supreme commander of Muslim armies in Syria had ordered
Shurhabil ibn Hasana to attack Basra.

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The later laid siege of Basra with his small army of 4000 men. Roman and Ghassanid Arab garrison, noticing
that this might be the advance guard of the larger Muslim army to come, decided to attack and destroy
Shurhabils army. They came out of the fortified city and attacked Shurhabil, surrounding him from all sides;
Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed reached the arena with his advance guard cavalry and saved the day for
Shurhabil. The combine forces of Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed , Shurhabil and Abu Ubaidah then laid the
siege of Basra, which surrendered some time in mid July 634. Thus effectively ending the Ghassanid
Dynasty.
Here Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed took over the command of Muslim armies in Syria from Abu Ubaidah, as
per the instructions of Caliph. The massive Byzantine armies were concentrating at Ajnadayn to push the
invading armies back to desert, early Muslim sources, have mentioned its size to be 90,000, while most of
the modern historians doubt the figures, but consider this battle to be the key to broke the Byzantine power
in Syria. According to the instructions of Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed all Muslim corps concentrated at
Ajnadayn, where they fought a decisive battle against Byzantine on 30 July 634.

Defeat at the Battle of Ajnadayn, left Syria vulnerable to the Muslim invaders. Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed
decided to capture Damascus, the Byzantine stronghold. At Damascus Thomas, son in law of Emperor
Heraculis, was in charge. Receiving the intelligence og Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed s march towards
Damascus he prepared for the defences of Damascus. He wrote to Emperor Heraculis for reinforcement,
who was at Emesa that time. Moreover Thomas, in order to get more time for preparation of a siege, sent
the armies to delay or if possible halt Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed s march to Damascus, one such army was
defeated at Battle of Yaqusa in mid-August 634 near Lake Tiberias 90 miles from Damascus, another army
that halted the Muslim advance to Damascus was defeated in Battle of Maraj as Saffer on 19 August 634.
These engagements delayed Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed s advance and gave Thomas enough time to
prepare for siege, meanwhile Heraculiss reinforcement at reached the city, which he had dispatched after
the bad news of Ajnadyn. Before Heraculiss another regiment could reach Damascus, Hazrat Khalid Bin
Waleed had finally reached Damascus. Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed reached Damascus the 20th August
and besieged the city. To isolate the city from rest of the region Hazrat Khalid Bin
Waleed placed the
detachments south on the road to Palestine and in north at Damascus-Emesa route, and several other
smaller detachments on routes towards Damascus. Heraculiss reinforcement was intercepted and routed at
Battle of Sanita-al-Uqab 20 miles from Damascus. Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed 's forces withstood three
Roman sallies that tried to break the siege, Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed finally attacked and conquered
Damascus on 18 September 634 after a 30 days siege, according to some sources siege lasted for four or
six months. Heraculis having receives the news of fall of Damascus, left for Antioch from Emesa. The
citizens were given peace on the terms of annual tribute; the Byzantine army was given a three day peace
to go as far as they could. After the three days deadline was over, the Muslim cavalry under Hazrat Khalid
Bin Waleed 's command, attacked the Roman army, catching up to them using an unknown shortcut, at
the Battle of Maraj-al-Debaj, 190 miles north of Damascus. Abu Bakr died during the siege of Damascus
and Umar became the new Caliph. He dismissed his cousin Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed ibn al-Walid from
the command and appointed Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah the new commander in chief of Islamic army in
Syria. Abu Ubaidah got the letter of his appointment and Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed 's disposal during the
siege, but he delayed the announcement until the city was conquered.
LEGACY
Abu Bakr became the Caliph on the 8 June 632 C.E. and he died on 23 August 634 C.E. Though the period
of his caliphate covers only two years, two months and fifteen days, it included successful invasions of the
two most powerful empires of the time: the Sassanid Empire and Byzantine Empire.
Abu Bakr had the distinction of being the first Caliph in the history of Islam, although he had usurped the
caliphate according to the earliest Muslims, the Muhajirun, who supported Ali . He was the first Caliph to
nominate a successor. He was the only Caliph in the history of Islam who refunded to the state treasury at
the time of his death the entire amount of the allowance that he had drawn during the period of his
caliphate.
He was the first Muslim ruler to establish Bayt al-mal. He was the first Muslim ruler to establish crown
pasture. He was the first Muslim ruler to establish 'Ijtihad'. He has the distinction of purchasing the land for
Al-Masjid al-Nabawi. According to Sunni Muslims, in the matter of virtue, Abu Bakr excelled all other
Sahaba. Both Abu Bakr and Uthman ibn Affan had relinquished drinking wine even in the time before
Islam. He was the foremost genealogist of the Quraysh and the best of them at interpreting dreams after
Muhammad according to Ibn Sirin.

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DEATH
On 8 August 634, Abu Bakr fell sick, and never recovered. There are two accounts about the sickness of
Abu Bakr . One account is that the 8 August 634 was a cold day and when Abu Bakr took a bath, he
caught a chill. Another account is that about a year before, along with some other companions, Harith bin
Kaladah, and Attab bin Usaid, he had eaten some food which was poisoned, and which was not to affect him
for a year. Abu Bakr developed high fever, and was confined to bed. His illness was prolonged, and when
his condition worsened, he felt that his end was near.
Realizing that his end was drawing near, Abu Bakr felt that he should nominate his successor so that the
issue should not be a cause of dissension among the Muslims after his death, though there was already
controversy over Ali not having been appointed. He appointed Umar as his successor after discussing
with some companions. Some of them favored the nomination and others disliked it, due to the tough
nature of Umar .
Abu Bakr thus dictated the testament to Uthman Ibn Affan in the following terms:
In the name of Most Merciful God. This is the last will and testament of Abu Bakr bin Abu Qahafa , when
he is in the last hour of the world, and the first of the next; an hour in which the infidel must believe, the
wicked be convinced of their evil ways, I nominate Umar bin al Khattab as my successor. Therefore, hear
to him and obey him. If he acts right, confirm his actions. My intentions are good, but I cannot see the
future results. However, those who do ill shall render themselves liable to severe account hereafter. Fare
you well. May you be ever attended by the Divine favor of blessing.
Abu Bakr next asked Aisha as to how many pieces of cloth were used for Muhammad 's shroud. Aisha
said that three pieces had been used. Abu Bakr thereupon desired the same number for his own
shroud. On Monday 23 Aug 634 Abu Bakr died. The funeral prayer was led by Umar . He was buried the
same night by the side of Muhammad 's grave in Aisha 's house near Al-Masjid alNabawi.************************************************

Hazrat Abu Bakr (RZ) Life as a Companion

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Birth, tribe, and early life.

He was the first one to accept Islam.
He brought others to accept Islam.
He remained loyal to Prophet (PBUH) at all times.
He bought slaves who were Muslims.
He expressed belief in Prophet (PBUH)s night journey.
He accompanied the Prophet (PBUH) on the Hijra.
He fought all the battles during the time of Holy Prophet (PBUH)
He made financial contributions to the expedition of Tabuk.
He gave his daughter Aisha (RZ) to be Prophet (PBUH)s wife.
He demonstrated extraordinary firmness in his faith on Prophet (PBUH) at the time of Treaty of Hudaibiya.
He was appointed the first Ameer e Hajj and led the prayer when the Prophet (PBUH) was ill.

Events of Caliphate
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2
3
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He
He
He
He
He
a

steadied the mourning community

was appointed the first Caliph of Islam
fought against the tribes who withheld Zakat.
fought Wars of Apostasy against these tribes who had revolted religiously or politically.
fought against the false prophets:
Aswad Ansi
b) Musaylima (The Liar)
c) Sajjah
d) Tulayha

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He continued the Prophet (PBUH)s intention of sending expedition to north.

7. Collection of the Quran during the Caliphate
Administration with a conclusion statement.
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EXERCISE

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3.1(a)Write about the election of Hazrat Abu Bakr as caliph and how he dealt with the false prophets
during his reign.[10]
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(b) Was Hazrat Abu Bakr a good choice as caliph? Give reasons to support your answer.
[4]
11 KEY POINTS FOR PART (a):
Give an account of the election of Hazrat Abu Bakr as caliph by stating that 'Hazrat Umar took bait at the hand
of Hazrat Abu Bakr and the people from all sides rushed to pledge their loyalty to him.
Describe the gathering of the Ansars at Saqifah-i-Bani to discuss the appointment of a caliph where they were
joined by Hazrat Abu Bakr, Hazrat Umar and other eminent Muhajireen. Whether the caliph was to be from
the Ansars or the Quraysh, Hazrat Abu Bakr's nomination of 'Hazrat Obadiah bin Jana could also be mentioned.
Include an extract from Hazrat Abu Bakrs address. In the second part of the question mention that Hazrat Abu
Bakr dealt very effectively with the false prophets who were a great threat to the unity of the Muslims.
Write the names of the prominent false prophets and the tribes they belonged to need to be given.
Develop the details of how Hazrat Abu Bakr sent forces against all of them and the fighting against Musaylima
in the battle of Yamamah which was the fiercest, and one in which many memorizers of the Qur'an were killed.
Do not write about the Rida wars or Hazrat Abu Bakr's contribution in compiling the Quran as the question is
focusing on his election and how he dealt with the false prophets.
12 KEY POINTS FOR PART (b):
Give a variety of reasons to support your answer.
If you agree to him being a good choice as caliph, refer to him being the first male Muslim, to his being the
Prophet's closest friend and father-in law, for being appointed as the first Amir al Hajj by the Prophet when it
first became obligatory in the 9th year of Hijra and for all his contributions to Islam etc.
If you disagree, you will need to support your point of view on your own with reasons.
13 3.2(a) Write an account of the major challenges that faced Hazrat Abu Bakr during his caliphate. [10]
14
(b) Explain why he was known as the Honest One (al-Siddiq), and the Saviour of Islam.
[4]
15 KEY POINTS FOR PART (a):
Refer to the false prophets, the tribes withholding Zakat and the apostate tribes.
Give a full account of these, including details of these challenges, faced by Hazrat Abu Bakr.
Add together with suggestions of why these were challenges and why it was important for the Caliph to
overcome them e.g., at the time of Hazrat Abu Bakr's caliphate there were a number of people in Arabia who
claimed to be prophets like Muhammad.
The main ones were Musaylima among the Hanifa tribes in Yamamah, Tulayha among the tribes of Asad and
Ghatafan, al-Aswad in the Yemen and Sajjah among the Tamim tribe.
Mention that how Hazrat Abu Bakr sent forces against all of them and write about the fighting against
Musaylima in the battle of Yamamah, which was the fiercest, and one in which many memorizers of the Qur'an
were killed. Indicate also that the revolt against Islam by tribes that had pledged loyalty to the Prophet (PBUH)
and the refusal of some tribes to send taxes to Medina.
16 KEY POINTS FOR PART (b):
Show a good understanding of the reason why he was called the Saviour of Islam. So explain that he fought to
prevent the break-up of Islam.
Explain further that the false prophets and apostates threatened the uniqueness and unity of Islam and could
not be allowed to continue their activities.
Mention that when he became caliph he not only gave new heart to the Muslims after the Prophet passed
away but helped the community of Muslims against its many enemies.
Include that as caliph he defeated the tribes who withdrew from Islam and made them stay Muslim and he
fought and won against tribes who refused to pay Zakat.
He also defeated the false prophets and thus kept the unity of Islam when there was much danger. You could
mention his contribution in the compilation of the Quran as well.

17
3.3 (a) What major events took place during the caliphate of Hazrat Abu Bakr
(RA)?
[10]
18
(b) Explain how Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) encountered difficulties in his
caliphate.
[4]
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