1.

LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF HAZRAT ABU BAKER

Abu Bakr was a senior companion (Sahabah) and the father-in-law of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad. He
ruled over the Rashidun Caliphate from 632-634 CE when he became the first Muslim Caliph following
Muhammad's death.[1] As Caliph, Abu Bakr succeeded to the political and administrative functions
previously exercised by the Prophet, since the religious function and authority of prophethood ended with
Muhammad's death according to Islam. He was called Al-Siddiq (The Truthful) and was known by that title
among later generations of Muslims.

As a young man, Abu Bakr became a cloth merchant and he traveled extensively in Arabia and neighboring
lands in the Middle East, through which he gained both wealth and experience. He eventually came to be
recognized as the chief of his clan.[3] On his return from a business trip to Yemen, he was informed that in
his absence Muhammad had openly declared his prophethood. Not long after, Abu Bakr accepted Islam and
was the first person outside the family of Muhammad to openly become a Muslim. He was instrumental in
the conversion of many people to the Islamic faith[4] and early in 623, Abu Bakr's daughter Aisha was
married to Muhammad, strengthening the ties between the two men. Abu Bakr served as a trusted advisor
and close friend to the Prophet. During the lifetime of Muhammad, he was involved in several campaigns
such as the Battle of Uhud, the Battle of the Trench, the Invasion of Banu Qurayza, Battle of Khaybar, the
Conquest of Mecca, the Battle of Hunayn, the Siege of Ta'if, and the Battle of Tabuk where he was reported
to have given all of his wealth for the preparation of this expedition.[5] He also participated in the Treaty of
Hudaybiyyah and was made one of the witnesses over the pact.

In 631, the Prophet became fatally ill, and after his death Abu Bakr became the first Muslim Caliph. During
his rule, he defeated the rebellion of several Arab tribes in a successful campaign, unifying the entire Arabian
peninsula and giving it stability.[6] This enabled him to launch successful campaigns against the Sassanid
Empire (Persian Empire) and the East Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) who were threatening Arabia's
borders. Prior to dispatching his army to Syria against the Romans he gave them the following commands
which established the conduct of war for later Muslim generations:

Stop, O people, that I may give you ten rules for your guidance in the battlefield. Do not commit treachery or
deviate from the right path. You must not kill a young woman. Bring no harm to the trees which are fruitful.
Slay not any of the enemy's flock, save it for your food. You are likely to pass by people who have devoted
their lives to monastic services; leave them alone

Abu Bakr's Caliphate lasted for a little over two years (or 27 months), ending with his death after an illness.
Though the period of his caliphate was not long it included successful invasions of the two most powerful
empires of the time, a remarkable achievement in its own right. He set in motion a historical trajectory that
in few decades would lead to one of the largest empires in history.