Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq’s (RA) 2 Years of Caliphate

Contents
 The Ridda Wars/Apostasy Movement
 False Prophets
 The Battle of Yamama
 Expeditions to the Persian and Byzantine Empires

The Ridda Wars/Apostasy Movement

The Ridda Wars, also known as the Apostasy Movement, occurred after the death of the Holy
Prophet. Various tribes renounced their allegiance to Islam, refused to pay Zakat, and rejected the
authority of the caliphate. They even pledged loyalty to self-proclaimed prophets. This revolt
posed a significant threat to Madina and the unity of Muslims. Apostasy movements sprang up
across the Arabian Peninsula, spreading from north to south and east to west. From Daumat-al-
Jandal and Tabuk in the north to Yemen, Najran, and San'a in the south, and from Bahrain and
Oman in the east to Butah and Buzakha in central Arabia, these rebellious tribes challenged the
authority of the caliphate. Hazrat Abu Bakr, facing this challenge, sought advice from his
advisory council but remained resolute in taking action to prevent the movement from gaining
strength. Troops were gathered and sent to opposing tribes under selected commanders.

False Prophets
Al-Aswad al-'Ansi: known as the black man or veiled prophet, is the leader of the 'Ans tribe in
Yemen, who claimed to have received divine guidance and performed tricks to convince people
of his miracles. With a large army, he opposed Islam, invading Najran and most of Yemen. Firuz
al-Dhalaymi, a Persian Muslim, led an expedition and killed al-Aswad. After the Prophet's death,
al-Aswad's followers regrouped under Qais ibn Abd Yaghus but were defeated by Firuz and
surrendered.

Tulayha ibn Khuwaylid ibn Nawfal al-Asadi: a wealthy leader of the Bani Asad and Ghatafan
tribes in northern Arabia, initially opposed the Muslims but later converted to Islam in 630.
However, he quickly rebelled and declared himself a prophet, gaining support from various tribes
who joined forces against Islam. Khalid ibn al-Walid was dispatched to suppress the revolt,
leading to the Battle of Buzakha in September 632, where Tulayha was defeated. Many tribes
supporting him surrendered, but Tulayha managed to escape to Syria.
Subsequently, when Syria was conquered by the Muslims, Tulayha embraced Islam once again
and fought alongside the Muslims in significant battles such as Jalula, Qadissiyah, and
Nihawand. His conversion and subsequent loyalty to Islam marked a notable change in his
stance, as he fought alongside the Muslims against their enemies.
 Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq’s (RA) 2 Years of Caliphate

Sajah bint-al Harith: an Arab Christian from the tribe of Taghlib, initially enjoyed the protection
of her tribe; following a split within Banu Tamim, she had the protection of Banu Hanifa. Known
as a soothsayer, she declared herself a prophet after the death of the Holy Prophet, when many of
her tribe rejected Islam. Gathering a force of 4000, she planned to march on Madinah but
abandoned her plans upon learning of Tulayha's defeat by Khalid ibn al-Walid.
Sajah then sought the assistance of Musailimah, another self-proclaimed prophet, and they
agreed to confront Khalid. Sajah married Musailimah and accepted his claim of prophethood.
However, Khalid ibn al-Walid crushed Sajah's forces and subsequently engaged Musailimah in
the Battle of Yamama, where Musailimah was killed. Following Musailimah's death, Sajah
embraced Islam and became a Muslim.

Musailimah al-Kadhdhab: belonging to the influential Banu Hanifa tribe in the Yamama region,
declared himself a prophet during the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad. Despite being wealthy and
powerful, Musailimah used his influence to mislead people. He distorted Quranic verses, created
his own verses, and falsely claimed to share in Prophet Muhammad's prophethood. Musailimah
even wrote a letter to Prophet Muhammad, asserting his status as a 'messenger of Allah' and
claiming a partnership in prophethood.
Prophet Muhammad firmly rejected Musailimah's claims, denouncing him as an arch-liar.
Musailimah went on to defy the teachings of the Quran, altering its injunctions and gained a
significant following among his people. After the death of Prophet Muhammad, Musailimah
challenged the caliphate of Hazrat Abu Bakr.

The Battle of Yamama

In the Battle of Yamama in December 632, Musailimah's fate was determined. Leading an army
of 40,000 Bedouins, some of whom joined for tribal support rather than belief in his claims,
Musailimah faced the Muslim forces sent by Abu Bakr. Initially, Ikrimah and Shurabil ibn
Hasanah were dispatched, followed by a larger force led by Khalid ibn al-Walid. The Muslims,
numbering 13,000, engaged in a prolonged battle with significant casualties, as Musailimah's
forces fiercely resisted. Ultimately, Musailimah was killed by Wahshi al-Harb, who had
previously slain Hamza at the Battle of Uhud. As Musailimah's army scattered, many were killed
while attempting to flee.
Several prominent Muslims and huffaz (those who had memorized the Quran) also lost their
lives in this battle.
 Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq’s (RA) 2 Years of Caliphate

Abu Bakr played a crucial role in preserving the Quran in written form. After the hard-won
victory at Yamama, Umar requested Abu Bakr to compile the Quran to safeguard it from loss,
forgetfulness, or corruption. Abu Bakr entrusted Zayd ibn Thabit, a scribe of the Holy Book, and
a group of companions with the task. They collected texts of all the verses from surviving huffaz
and companions of the Prophet, which were then compared, authenticated, and compiled into a
single volume presented to Abu Bakr. This authorized copy was later given by Abu Bakr to
Umar, who, on his deathbed, entrusted it to his daughter, Hafsa, the widow of the Holy Prophet,
for safekeeping.
Following the Muslims' triumph in the Battle of Yamama, opposition to Islam in Arabia
collapsed, and the Muslims consolidated their power under the authority of the Caliph. Abu Bakr
shifted his focus to matters concerning the Byzantine and Persian empires.

Expeditions to the Persian and Byzantine Empires

 Persian: Iran, Egypt, Turkey, and parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan.
 Byzantine: Italy, Greece, and Turkey along with portions of North Africa and the Middle
East.

 Continuing the expedition that was planned by the Prophet in 632.

 (Recall the Battle of Muta)
 He (SAW) had organized another force under the command of Usama ibn Zayd ibn
Haritha but the expedition was postponed.
 Abu Bakr sent 4 groups to Syria to respond to the events at Muta.

1. Abu Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah

2. Amr ibn al-A’s
3. Yazid ibn Abu Sufyan
4. Shurahbin ibn al-Hasanah

 The armies fought successfully.

 Then Heraclius (Byzantine Emperor) came to know and sent a large army under his
brother, Theodorus.
 As a response to this, Abu Bakr Siddeeq sent Khalid ibn al-Walid as Commander in Chief
of the Syrian forces.
 Khalid bin al-Walid took 9,000 of his best men and reached Syria in 18 days.
 The Battle of Ajnadayn – where the confrontation took place was a decisive one.
 Where the organization and war tactics of the Muslims helped them.
 Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq’s (RA) 2 Years of Caliphate

 This led the path to conquer Palestine and Syria by laying to Damascus.
 Khalid bin al-Walid played an important role in achieving these victories.
 This led to the establishment of Islam in Iraq and Syria.

Expedition to the Persian Empire:

1. After the Byzantine victory, the focus was on the Persian Empire- vast, strong, and
wealthy.

 Chosroes II had rejected the Muslim representatives and insinuated that the invitation to
Islam was insult worthy.
 Since they were a threat to the Muslims, action had to be taken.
 The invasion of Iraq began, but the main problem was that Arabs had an underlying fear
of the Persian army.
 Abu Bakr as-Siddeeq sent Khalid bin al-Walid and he was supported by other powerful
tribal chiefs.
 In 633, Khalid entered the Persian Empire at the head of 18,000 and won 4 decisive
victories from March to May.
 Finally, the provincial capital Hira was captured.

2. In June 633, Khalid laid siege to Al-Anbar and conquered it in July.

 After a while, almost all of Iraq – the Euphrates region was under Muslim control.
 Khalid bin al-Walid managed to crush further, three coordinated attacks, and finally in the
Battle of Firaz, December 633, the Muslims defeated the combined forces of the Persians,
Byzantines, and Christian Arabs to End Persian Rule in Iraq.
 The major advantage of this was that it made trade routes to the north, east, and west of
Iraq, and Syria became more accessible.

Saviour of Islam:

 Abu Bakr is rightly called the savior of Islam, because of the vital services rendered by
him. Soon after the Prophet’s death, he was the one to calm down the shocked Muslim
community.
 Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq’s (RA) 2 Years of Caliphate

 Most of the companions including Umar were not ready to believe in the Prophet’s death.
Abu Bakr on this occasion, delivered a convincing speech told all about the mortality of
Muhammad by reciting: ‘’Muhammad is no more than a messenger: many messengers
that were before he passed away if he died or were slain will you then turn back on your
heels?’’ (3:144).

 Later as a Caliph, he suppressed the apostasy movement and thus preserved the
fundamentals of Islam.
 False prophets challenged the second component of Shahada— “Muhammad is the final
Messenger of God.’’ He defeated the false prophets and thus kept the unity of Islam.
 He fought and won against the tribes refusing to pay Zakat. By eradicating both, Abu
Bakr defended the basic principles of Islam.

 Finally by compiling the Qur’an, Abu Bakr ensured the unity of the Muslims, a
community that depended on the Qur’an.
 After only 2 years of Caliphate was riddled with turbulence and came to an end in 13 AH.

 He is remembered for his devotion to Allah and his faith, for his loyalty to the Messenger.
 He emulated the Prophet in every way.
 He fell ill at the end of the second year and never recovered.
 Nominated Umar bin Khattab before he died.
 His funeral prayer was led by Umar bin al-Khattab.