Abu Bakr RA

Question 1

What was the indication that Abu Bakr would become the first Caliph?

Answer 1

He led the prayers during the last days of the Prophet’s life

Question 2

Did the Prophet nominate Abu Bakr as his successor?

Answer 2

No, the Prophet did not.

Question 3

Describe the conflict during the meeting that would decide on the first Caliph. (3 points)

Answer 3

1. The Ansar wanted someone from among the Ansar and the Muhajireen wanted someone from among the Muhajireen
2. Bashir ibn Nu’man stood up and declared “The Prophet was from the Quraish i.e. the Muhajireen, therefore a Caliph must be from among them, we the Madinites are Ansar and we would prefer to remain as the Helpers of Allah and His Prophet.”
3. A number of Ansars supported this view and there was a general satisfation

Question 4

Mention two names whom Abu Bakr nominated to become the Prophet’s successors.

Answer 4

‘Umar and Abu Ubaidah al Jarrah Radiyallahu anhuma

Question 5

How was Abu Bakr Radiyallahu anhu elected as the first Caliph?

Answer 5

The companions whom Abu Bakr nominated refused to become the Caliph and said “Abu Bakr is the best among all of us because Allah has mentioned him in the Quran, saying “The one amongst two in the cave.” ‘Umar and Zaid bin Thabit then took the pledge of loyalty, followed by others present in the meeting. The next day, a general pledge of loyalty was taken by the Muslims in Masjid an Nabawi.

Question 6

Mention five main issues that Abu Bakr had to resolve during his Caliphate.

Answer 6

1. Settlement of the prevailing unrest among Muslims at the demise of the Prophet Sallalahualayhi Wasallam
2. Departure of the expedition to Syria as the Prophet had instructed
3. Suppressing the rise of the false prophets
4. Bringing an end to the apostasy movement
5. Dealing with the refusal to pay zakat

Question 7

Why did the Prophet SAW appoint Usama as the head of the Muslim army for the expedition to Syria?

Answer 7

Usama’s father, Zaid ibn Haritha was martyred at the hands of a Syrian non-Muslim (Roman) in the battle of Mu’ta in 8 A.H.

Question 8

Why was the expedition to Syria postponed until Abu Bakr’s Caliphate?

Answer 8

The Prophet SAW fell seriously ill and passed away during the preparations.

Question 9

What challenges did Abu Bakr face while preparing to send the army for Usama’s expedition?

Answer 9

News came to Madinah that apostates under the command of some false prophets were planning to invade the town. The companions approached Abu Bakr to withdraw the army.

Question 10

Why did the companions want Abu Bakr to withdraw the Muslim army?

Answer 10

The companions thought sending their troops out of Madinah was unwise since they were going to be targeted there.

Question 11

How did Abu Bakr respond to the companions regarding the expedition?

Answer 11

Abu Bakr RA said, “How can I fold up the flag which was unfurled by the Prophet himself?” Meaning, he did not want to delay or stop what the Prophet SAW had started.

Question 12

When did the army leave?

Answer 12

The army left 3 weeks after the Prophet’s death.

Question 13

Mention three outcomes of this expedition.

Answer 13

1. The army returned to Madinah after 40 days with a great victory.
2. The success opened the eyes of those who thought Islam was dying after the Prophet’s death.
3. Some tribes who had left Islam came back to the fold of Islam.

Question 14

Mention the names of the four major false prophets.

Answer 14

1. Aswad Ansi
2. Tulaiha
3. Sajah
4. Musailimah al Kathaab

Question 15

Mention four points regarding Aswad Ansi.

Answer 15

1. Rose in Yemen
2. Declared his prophethood towards the end of Prophet Muhammad’s lifetime.
3. He was known as ‘the veiled one’ as he used to cover his face to create an aura of mystery
4. He was killed and his followers scattered

Question 16

Mention four points regarding Tulaiha.

Answer 16

1. From the tribe of Banu Asad
2. Khalid ibn Walid was sent to crush his army
3. He escaped to Syria
4. Accepted Islam again and died as a martyr

Question 17

Mention five points regarding Sajah.

Answer 17

1. From the tribe of Banu Tamim
2. 4,000 people gathered around her to march to Madinah
3. Joined Musailimah after hearing about Khalid ibn Walid’s army
4. Married Musailimah and accepted his “prophethood”.
5. The only female false prophet

Question 18

Mention five points regarding Musailimah.

Answer 18

1. From a tribe of Banu Hanifa in Central Arabia (Najd)
2. Declared his prophethood during the later period of Muhammad SAW but openly did so after the Prophet’s death
3. Shurahbeel, Ikrimah, and Khalid ibn Walid were sent by Abu Bakr to crush his army
4. He gathered an army of 40,000 and fought the Muslim army of 13,000
5. Killed by Wahshi - the former slave of Abu Sufyan

Question 19

Mention one significance of Musailimah’s war against the Muslims.

Answer 19

It is referred to as the Battle of Yamamah and many huffath were martyred in this battle.

Question 20

What was the apostasy movement?

Answer 20

Some new converts renounced Islam and turned against the Islamic state.

Question 21

What was the cause of the apostasy movement?

Answer 21

The lack of true and firm faith. Most tribes who converted in the 9th and 10th years after Hijra had converted for political reasons.

Question 22

Which tribes were not involved in the apostasy movement?

Answer 22

All tribes were involved except the people of Makkah and Madinah, including the tribe of Thaqeef at Taif.

Question 23

Who led the apostasy movement?

Answer 23

Musailimah al Kathab

Question 24

What did Abu Bakr do to eliminate the movement?

Answer 24

Abu Bakr RA declared war against them and divided the Muslim army into 11 battalions.

Question 25

Was Abu Bakr successful in his attempt to eliminate the apostasy movement?

Answer 25

The movement was suppressed within a year.

Question 26

Describe the events of the tribes' refusal to pay zakat.

Answer 26

The rebellion started when some tribes refused to pay zakat in the public treasury (Baitul Maal).

Question 27

What did Abu Bakr do before he fought those who refused to pay zakat?

Answer 27

He called for an advisory council meeting (Shura) and sought his companions' advice.

Question 28

How did the companions respond?

Answer 28

Most companions did not agree with Abu Bakr's decision to fight those who refused to pay zakat because of the war with the false prophets and major revolts.

Question 29

What did Abu Bakr do in the end?

Answer 29

He remained firm in his decision to launch a fierce campaign against the rebels. Firstly, he called them to Islam. However, Abu Bakr waged war against those who persisted in their ways.

Question 30

Mention three points regarding the distribution of wealth at the time of Abu Bakr as Siddiq RA.

Answer 30

1. There was no separate department of revenue 2. Zakat, sadaqah, and other taxes used to be sent to Madinah to the Baitul Maal 3. Whatever funds they received were immediately distributed to the poor and needy

Question 31

Mention five points regarding the military structure at the time of Abu Bakr.

Answer 31

1. There was no regular Islamic force 2. When any army departed, Abu Bakr divided it into various battalions 3. Each battalion was put under an officer who was under the commander of the whole army 4. A part of the revenue was reserved for the purchase of arms and maintenance of forces 5. Special pastures were reserved for horses and camels used in battles

Question 32

How did Abu Bakr change the administration of his kingdom?

Answer 32

He divided the peninsula into various provinces and appointed a governor for each province

Question 33

Who was the first caliph to start fighting with external powers?

Answer 33

Abu Bakr as Siddiq RA

Question 34

Which two superpowers were encountered by the Caliphate?

Answer 34

The Persians (Iraq) and the Byzantines (Syria, Palestine, Egypt)

Question 35

Where did the first battle between the Muslims and the Persians take place?

Answer 35

At a place called Hafir

Question 36

Mention five points regarding the first battle that took place between the Muslims and the Persians.

Answer 36

1. The Persians were commanded by Hurmuz - a famous Persian General 2. The Muslims were commanded by Khalid al Walid 3. The Persians were defeated 4. In order not to run and to show their morale, the Persian soldiers tied themselves to one another with chains 5. Due to this, the battle is known as the Battle of the Chains

Question 37

Mention one significant point that happened after the Battle of the Chains.

Answer 37

Khalid al Walid conquered Hira' (a famous fort of the Persians)

Question 38

What was the cause for Muslims' fight against the Byzantines? (Mention two points)

Answer 38

Abu Bakr RA found out that the Romans had begun to conspire against the Muslims. The trade routes between Arab and Syria were dangerous due to border clashes.

Question 39

When did Abu Bakr gather an army to fight the Byzantines and how many men were there?

Answer 39

in 13 A.H. Abu Bakr raised an army of 27,000

Question 40

What was the outcome of the Muslims' first battle with Heraclius' army? (Mention two points)

Answer 40

Muslims defeated Heraclius and his army and captured many cities. After this victory, the Muslims marched forward and laid siege to Damascus.

Question 41

Why did the Holy Quran need to be compiled?

Answer 41

A huge number of huffadh had died in a battle.

Question 42

Which battle killed many huffadh and whose army fought the Muslims in that battle?

Answer 42

Battle of Yamama was fought between the Muslims and Musailimah al Kathab's army.

Question 43

Who suggested for the Quran to be compiled in a single book form?

Answer 43

'Umar bin al Khattab RA

Question 44

Who did Abu Bakr appoint to undertake this huge task?

Answer 44

Zayd ibn Thabit

Question 45

Who kept the Holy Quran after it was compiled?

Answer 45

Hafsah bint 'Umar al Khattab

Question 46

What did Abu Bakr integrate in his state in terms of administration? (Mention two points)

Answer 46

1. He divided the entire Islamic state into provinces under the rule of a wali (governor) and a qazi (judge). 2. He established a Shura (council of advisors) and appointed several eminent companions as the board members.

Question 47

What are the main significance of Abu Bakr's Caliphate?

Answer 47

The teachings of Islam crossed the Arabian borders. A major part of Iraq came under his rule and the Muslims captured many important cities of Syria.

Question 48

What was Abu Bakr like in terms of his character? (Mention three points)

Answer 48

He was a great statesman, wise and pious. He used to perform salah similar to that of the Prophet. He is one of the companions who were given the glad tidings of Jannah (paradise).

Question 49

When and why did Abu Bakr pass away?

Answer 49

in 13 A.H. at the age of 63 due to illness.

Question 50

What were Abu Bakr's two wishes before he died?

Answer 50

1. He asked Aaisha RA to not use a new cloth for his shroud, rather to use one that he already has. 2. He wanted to pay back all the money he got as salary for Caliph from the Baitul maal (public treasury) by selling his garden.