Abu Bakr (573 – 634) was the senior Companion and closest friend of Prophet Muhammad. God gave him the title, ‘the second of the two’ (9:40). Keenly aware of the sincerity and truthfulness of the Prophet, he accepted Islam without any second thoughts. That is why he was given the title As-Siddiq (the upright) by the Prophet. He was thus the first male Companion and was one of the Prophet’s oldest supporters.

After the death of the Prophet in Medina in 632 A.D, Abu Bakr Siddiq was appointed as a leader of the Believers, and the first successor of the Prophet. Events prove that the Prophet was of the opinion that this task of leadership should go to Abu Bakr, but he never nominated the latter, nor did he prepare a will.

There were, however, certain indications of his wishes during his lifetime. For instance, the task of congregational prayer is such as performed only by the head of the State. That is why the Prophet of Islam used to lead the prayer himself. For, according to Islam, the Imam of the mosque should be one who is the leader of the political institution, or he could be one appointed by the head of the State as his deputy. It is significant that the Prophet of Islam made Abu Bakr lead the prayer several times. This stand of the Prophet was to make it clear to the people that the appointment of the leader of the believers should be in accordance with the opinion of the people. That is why after his death, when the companions gathered together at an assembly hall in Medina, Abu Bakr was appointed the successor of the Prophet, after a long consultation.

We have shining examples of generosity set by the pious Caliphs. Once when the Prophet urged them to give Sadaqa, Umar bin al Khattab brought half of what he owned, only to discover that he had once again been outdone by Abu Bakr who had given away all that he possessed. (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 3675)