Abu Bakr as Siddiq’s Strict Adherence in Following the Sunnah

Abû Bakr Al-Siddîq – Allâh be pleased with him – said:

“I will not leave anything Allâh’s Messenger (sallah Allaahu `alayhi wa sallam) did, except that I will also do it; for I fear that if I were to leave any of his commands and ways I would deviate.”

[[Al-Bukhârî, Al-Sahîh 2:386 hadîth no. 3093; Ibn Battah, Al-Ibânah article 77, and others]

After recording this narration, Ibn Battah states:

“This, my brothers, is the greatest Siddîq (true believer i.e. Abû Bakr), fearing that he would fall into deviation if he were to leave any of the commandments of his Prophet – Allâh’s peace and blessings be upon him.

What then is to happen in a time in which people deride their Prophet and his commandments, and compete with each other and show off in contradicting him and mock his Sunnah?

We ask Allâh to protect us from slipping and to save us from evil deeds.”

Wise words and a reminder to us all. 

30. It is not permissible to spend a night thinking that one has no Imaam.

It is, therefore, not permissible for anyone to spend a single night thinking that he has no Imaam over him, whether he (the Imaam) be righteous or wicked.

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29. To obey the rulers in that which Allaah loves and is pleased with.

To hear and obey the rulers in that which Allaah loves and is pleased with. Whoever becomes Khaleefah through the consensus of the people and their being pleased with him, he is the Chief of the Believers [Ameerul Mu’mineen]

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28. The best of the Companions of Allaah’s Messenger.

The best of this Ummah, after the passing away of its Prophet, is Abu Bakr, and then `Umar, and then `Uthmaan. This is what is reported to us from Ibn `Umar, who said, We used to say, whilst Allaah’s Messenger was amongst us,

“The best of people after the Messenger of Allaah is Abu Bakr, then `Umar, then `Uthmaan.” The Prophet would hear of that and not criticize it.

[this is reported by al-bukhaaree 5/6/no.7], Ahmad in Fadaailus-Sahaabah (no.570) and as-Sunnah of `Abdullaah ibn Ahmad (pp.574-578)].

Then the best of people after them are `Alee, Talhah, az-Zubayr, Sa’d ibn Abee Waqqaas, Sa’eed ibn Zayd, Abdur-Rahmaan ibn `Awf and Abu Ubaydah Aamir ibn al-Jarrah. All of them were suitable to be Khaleefah. Then the best of people after them are the (rest of the) Companions of the Messenger of Allaah, the first generation amongst whom he was sent, the first Muhaajirs and Ansaar, those who prayed towards both qiblahs, then the best of people after them are those who accompanied the Messenger of Allaah for a day, a month, a year or less or more than that. 

We ask Allaah to have Mercy upon them. We mention their virtues and remain silent about any mistakes they made and we do not speak about a single one of them except favourably, as the Messenger of Allaah said,

When my Companions are mentioned then withold.

[Saheeh: reported by at-Tabaraaanee from Ibn Mas’ood, from the Prophet. See silsilatul-Ahaadeeth as-Saheehah (no.34) of Shaykh al albaanee]

Sufyaan ibn Uyainah* said,

He who speaks a single word against the Companions of Allaah’s Messenger is an innovator.

[in the printed edition, after the saying of Sufyaan, there occurs: The Prophet said, My Companions are like the stars; whichever of them you follow, you will be guided. This narration is a fabrication. Refer to Silsilatul-Ahadeeth ad-Daeefah (no.58) and The Prophets Prayer Described, by Shayh al Albanee (pp.94-96)]

*Shaykul Islaam, Sufyaan ibn Uyainah was a Taabiut-Taabieen. He was born in 107H, in Makkah and died in 198H.

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27. Eeman (Faith) comprises of speech, action, and beliefs and it increases and decreases.

To have Faith that Eeman (Faith) comprises of speech, action, and beliefs. It increases and decreases. It increases as Allaah wills and may decrease to the extent that nothing remains of it.

Al-Laalikaaee reports in Sharh Usool Itiqaad Ahlis Sunnah (5/958/no.1737), that Abd ar-Razzaaq (as-Sanaanee) said, I met seventy Shaykhs, from amongst them are Mamar, al-Awzaaee, ath-Thawree, al-Waleed ibn Muhammad al-Quraashee, Yazeed ibn as-Saaib, Hammaad ibn Salamah, Hammaad ibn Zayd, Sufyaan ibn Uyainah, Shuayb ibn Harb, Wakee ibn al-Jarrah, Maalik ibn Anas, Ibn Abee Laylaa, Ismaeel ibn Ayyaash, al-Waleed ibn Muslim and those I have not named, all of them saying:

Faith is saying and action, it increases and decreases. 

`Abdullaah ibn Ahmad reports in as-Sunnah (no.612): My father narrated to me: Abu Salaamah al-Khuzaaee related to us, saying, Maalik, Shareek, Abu Bakr ibn Ayyaash, `Abdul Azeez ibn Abee Salaamah, Hammaad ibn Salaamah and Hammaad ibn Zayd said:

Faith is conviction, declaration, and action. 

Al-Laalikaaee reports (5/959/no.1740) that Uqbah ibn Alqamah said: 

I asked al-Awzaaee about Faith; can it increase? He said, Yes, until it becomes like the mountains. I said, can it decrease? He said, Yes, even until nothing remains of it.

Amongst the verses quoted by the Scholars as proof for the fact that Faith increases are: 

Aayah 173 of Surat Alee Imraan: 

Those to whom hypocrites said, “Indeed, the people have gathered against you, so fear them.” But it [merely] increased them in faith, and they said, “Sufficient for us is Allah , and [He is] the best Disposer of affairs.”

Aayah 4 of Suratul Faath:

It is He who sent down tranquillity into the hearts of the believers that they would increase in faith along with their [present] faith. And to Allah belong the soldiers of the heavens and the earth, and ever is Allah Knowing and Wise.

Aayah 124 of Surat at-Tawbah:

And whenever a surah is revealed, there are among the hypocrites those who say, “Which of you has this increased faith?” As for those who believed, it has increased them in faith, while they are rejoicing.

26. To have Faith in the descent of `Eesaa [alayhis salaam]

To have Faith in the descent of `Eesaa [alayhis salaam], the son of Maryam. He will descend, kill Dajjaal, marry and pray behind the leader of the Muslims, who is from the family of Muhammad, and he will die and be buried by the Muslims.

All of this is established in authentic ahadeeth and many of these are quoted by al-Haafidh ibn Khatheer in his tafseer of verse 159 of Suratul Nisaa’. Refer also to Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (Eng. trans., vol.4, nos.657,658) & Saheeh Muslim (Eng. trans., vol.4, nos.6924,7023).

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25. To have Faith in al-Maseehud-Dajjaal

To have Faith in al-Maseehud-Dajjal.

From the many ahaadeeth about the Dajjal is what al-Bukhaaree reports in his Saheeh [Eng. trans., vol.9, no.245) from Anas [radi’Allaahu anhu], that the Prophet said, No Prophet was sent except that he warned his nation about the one-eyed liar (i.e. Dajjaal). Beware! He is blind in one eye, wheras your Lord is not so. There will be written between his (Dajjaals) eyes: Kaafir. 

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24. Adam [alayhis salaam] was in Paradise, but was removed from it after disobeying Allaah.

Adam [alayhis salaam] was present in the everlasting and created Paradise, but was removed from it after disobeying Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic.

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