Abu Bakr was always a very close Companion of the Holy Prophet, he knew him better than any other man. He knew how honest and upright the Prophet was. Such knowledge of the Prophet made Abu Bakr be the first man to follow the Message of Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam. He was indeed the first adult male to accept Islâm.

The Holy Prophet told Abu Bakr what had happened at Mount Hira', he told him that Allâh subhanahu wa ta'ala has revealed to him and made him His Messenger. When Abu Bakr heard this from the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, he did not stop to think, he at once became a Muslim. He submitted to Islâm with such determination that once the Holy Prophet himself remarked, "I called people to Islâm, everybody thought over it, at least for a while, but this was not the case with Abu Bakr, the moment I put Islâm before him, he accepted it without any hesitation".

He was titled As-Siddiq by the Holy Prophet because his faith was too strong to be shaken by anything.

Abu Bakr's love of the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam was so great that he was willing to sacrifice his life for the sake of protecting and comforting the Prophet saw.

In 622 on the invitation of the Muslims of Madinah, the Holy Prophet ordered Muslims to migrate to Madinah in batches. Abu Bakr accompanied the Holy Prophet in his migration for Madinah.

A short time after returning from the Hajj Wida' (farewell pilgrimage), the Holy Prophet became ill. In his fatal illness, the Holy Prophet came out with a piece of cloth tied around his head and sat on the pulpit. After thanking and praising Allah he said,

ﺇ ﻥ ﺍ ﷲ ﺧﻴﺮ ﻋﺒﺪﺍ ﺑﻴﻦ ﺍﻟﺪ ﻧﻴﺎ ﻭ ﺑﻴﻦ ﻣﺎ ﻋﻨﺪ ﻩ ﻓﺎ ﺧﺘﺎ ﺭ ﺫ ﻟﻚ ﺍﻟﻌﺒﺪ ﻣﺎ ﻋﻨﺪ ﺍﷲ

Allah has given one of His Slaves the choice of receiving the splendor and luxury of the worldly life whatever he likes or to accept the good which is with Allah. So he has chosen that good which is with Allah

Abu Bakr wept profusely and said, "Our fathers and mothers be sacrificed for you".

The companions was astonished by this (they wondered why did Abu Bakr wept), and the people said, "Look at this old man! Allah's Apostle talks about a Slave of Allah to whom He has given the option to choose either the splendor of this worldly life or the good which is with Him, while he says "our fathers and mothers be sacrificed for you"."

It turned out the Holy Prophet himself was that servant, as Abu Bakr later told the companions. Then the Holy Prophet continued:

"No doubt, I am indebted to Abu Bakr more than to anybody else regarding both his companionship and his wealth. And if I had to take a Khalil from my followers, I would certainly have taken Abu Bakr, but the fraternity of Islam is sufficient. Let no Door of the Mosque remain open, except the door of Abu Bakr."

The good referred in the first part means the good in the hereafter. Khalil means intimate friend. The door referred to here is the door to theMasjid al-Nabawi.

When the Holy Prophet wafat, Muslims gathered in Masjid al-Nabawi and there were suppressed sobs and sighs. Abu Bakr came from his house at As-Sunh (a village) on a horse. He dismounted and entered the Masjid al-Nabawi, but did not speak to anyone until he entered upon 'Aa'isha and went straight to the Holy Prophet who was covered with Hibra cloth (a kind of Yemenite cloth). He then uncovered the Holy Prophet's face and bowed over him and kissed him and wept, saying,

"Let my father and mother be sacrificed for you. By Allah, Allah will never cause you to die twice. As for the death which was written for you, has come upon you"

Such was the love of a true Companion, the quality of the humble and generous Companion who believed the Holy Prophet in everything to the extent that he was called As-Siddiq, by the Holy Prophet. His great personality and service to Islâm and Muslims earned him the love and respect of all Muslims.

May Allah be pleased with you and bless you with His Choicest of Blessings, Abu Bakar As-Siddiq, radiallaahu 'anhu.

From Allah we came, and to Allah we shall return