Encyclopedia of Muhammad

Abu Bakr’s Generosity in Makkah

Before accepting

Islam
, Abu Bakr was one of the wealthy men of Quraysh. His wealth equaled around 40,000 Dirhams. 1 However, when he migrated to Madinah with
Prophet
Muhammad , he only had 4000 or 5000 dirhams with him, 2 as he had spent all his wealth for the Islamic cause. As the
Holy Quran
states:

  فَاَمَّا مَنْ اَعْطٰى وَاتَّقٰى 5 وَصَدَّقَ بِالْحُسْنٰى 6 فَسَنُيَسِّرُہٗ لِلْيُسْرٰى 7 3
  So he who gives away (his wealth in the way of Allah) and commits himself to piousness, And affirms the good (the Din undefined of truth and life after death through charity and Godwariness), Soon We shall facilitate him in seeking (Allah’s pleasure) with ease.

These verses were revealed regarding Abu Bakr as he used to purchase and free those slaves who had converted to Islam and were severely persecuted by the polytheists of Makkah. Additionally, he used to spend his wealth where ever Prophet Muhammad wanted him to. 4

The following verses were revealed about Abu Bakr as well: 5

  وَسَيُجَنَّبُهَا الْأَتْقَى17 الَّذِي يُؤْتِي مَالَهُ يَتَزَكَّى18 وَمَا لِأَحَدٍ عِنْدَهُ مِنْ نِعْمَةٍ تُجْزَى19 إِلَّا ابْتِغَاءَ وَجْهِ رَبِّهِ الْأَعْلَى20 وَلَسَوْفَ يَرْضَى21 6
  But the most pious one shall be saved from this (Fire), Who gives his wealth away (in the cause of Allah) to attain to purity (of his soul and assets), And who owes no favour to anyone that he is seeking to pay back. Rather (he spends) seeking the pleasure of his Lord, Most High. And soon shall he be well-pleased (with Allah for His bestowal and Allah with him for his fidelity).

Abu Bakr , known for his compassion and generosity, purchased and emancipated helpless slaves in Makkah, including women, old men, and children, demonstrating his deep concern for the vulnerable members of society. Despite his father Quhafa's suggestion to free strong and capable men who could potentially assist him, Abu Bakr continued to free the weak and the helpless as his actions were driven solely by his desire for divine reward, with no expectation of worldly gain. 7 His selfless deeds reflected his unwavering faith and commitment to seeking Allah's pleasure.

 

 

  • 1 Mahmood Sheet Khattab (1422 A.H.), Al-Rasool Al-Quaid, Dar Al-Fikr, Beirut, Lebanon, Pg. 467.
  • 2 Muhammad ibn Yusuf Al-Salihi Al-Shami (1993), Subul Al-Huda wal-Rashad fi Seerat Khair Al-Abad, Dar Al-Kutub Al-Ilmiyah, Beirut, Lebanon, Vol. 3, Pg. 239.
  • 3 Holy Quran, Al-Layl (The Night) 92: 5-7.
  • 4 Abu Hayan Muhammad bin Hayan Al-Undulasi (1420 A.H.), Al-Behr Al-Muheet fi Tafseer, Dar Al-Fikr, Beirut, Lebanon, Vol. 10, Pg. 492.
  • 5 Abu Al-Hasan Ali ibn Ahmed Al-Wahidi Al-Shafi (1430 A.H.), Al-Tafseer Al-Baseet, Jamia Al-Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Al-Islamiya, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Vol. 24, Pg. 88.
  • 6 Holy Quran, Al-Layl (The Night) 92: 17-21.
  • 7 Abd Al-Malik ibn Hisham (1955), Al-Seerat Al-Nabawiyah le-ibn Hisham, Shirkah Maktabah wa Matba’a Mustafa Al-Babi, Cairo, Egypt, Vol. 1, Pg. 319.