بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Translation of Dr. Shams Jilani “Roshni Hira Say” (The light from Cave of Hira) by Dr. Rehan Asad
Chapter (58)
The description of the acceptance of Islam by Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) & other people in his circle
Dear readers in last section we had discussed about those including Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) who were one of the earliest to revert toward Islam. The acceptance of Islam by Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) gave a great strength to the community of Muslims in those days due to his connections among the tribe of Qureysh & wealth. Some historians has written that in early days he kept his acceptance of Islam as a secret as it was a common command by the Prophet (PBUH) for the early converts due secure their lives from the enemies. But we didn’t find the exact timeline about those esteemed companions of the Prophet (PBUH) who accepted the faith of Islam by efforts of Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA). What we mean to say that they reverted during this phase of concealed invitations or when the open declaration of spreading the Islamic faith come. But one narrative also said that it was during the days of early declaration of Islam Prophet (PBUH) he accepted the faith of Islam. The narrative came from Hazrat Talha (RA) & Waqdi cited it with explanation like this that one day when he was resting at the worship place of Hazrat Sooq Basri who was one of the righteous followers of true canonical religion. He asked “O, residents of Arabs. Does anyone of you among this group belonged to the city of Haram. On listening this, Hazrat Talha replied, yes I am among one of those. Then he asked, does anyone with the name of Ahmad (PBUH) made a proclamation of Prophethood. I asked him about whom you are asking. He replied, that I am asking about Ahmad Bin Abudullah bin Abdul Mutalib (PBUH). Then he testified that his proclamation of Prophethood is true & he has been appointed by Almighty Allah as his Prophet. And he will migrate from the dry lands of Makkah to the green valleys for the sake of his Almighty God. You will be among the one of the earliest people who will accept his invitation towards the Islam. Hazrat Talha (RA) said that the words of Sooq Basri settled in my heart & when I reached Makkah, I asked the people about the message of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). They testify the words of Sooq Basri. Then I went to meet Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) and asked him about the message of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He said that I accepted the faith of Islam after listening the message of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). After this I went to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) along with Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) & accepted the faith of Islam. Then he further narrated that one day me & Abu Bakr (RA) after accepting the faith of Islam was going somewhere in Makkah. On the way, Naufal Bin Khawlid (Ibn Adwiyah) sighted us & he tied both of us with a rope. He tried to scold both of us & said that this seems to be conspiracy created by you. On listening this, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) supplicated, O Almighty Allah, Please confine the mischief created by Ibn Adwiyah up to himself. From here it can be concluded that Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) accepted Islam before the open proclamation of Dawaah. The five companions of Prophet (PBUH) entered in the faith of Islam by Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) and they all were in the list of al-Asharaa al-Mubasharûn bi-l-Janna. Their names are as follows, Usman Bin Affan from Banu Ummaya, & rest of them from Banu Loi, Hazrat Zuber Bin Awam, Hazrat Abdul Rehman Bin Auf, & Hazrat Saad bin Abi Waqaas. After accepting the faith of Islam, they came in the blessed court of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Cont’d for the next week
