Malfuzat – Volume II — Page 87
87 results in despair, despair results in transgression, and transgression results in hell. It is a thing that cuts at the root of truth and sincerity (sidq). Therefore, abstain from this vice and offer supplications to attain the excellences of one who is Truthful (Siddiq). The Unparalleled Truth of Hazrat Abu Bakr ra The Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, bestowed the title of Siddiq (the Truthful) to Hazrat Abu Bakr ra. So Allah the Exalted knows best the countless excellences of Hazrat Abu Bakr ra. The Holy Prophet sa also said that the superiority of Hazrat Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, is owed to a quality that exists in his heart. In truth, the sincerity demonstrated by Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, is truly matchless. The fact of the matter is that in every era, anyone who desires to develop within themselves the excellences of a Siddiq and be one from among the Truthful must struggle, insofar as is possible, to inculcate within their being the nature and disposition of Abu Bakr ra and then pray for this purpose as much as possible. Until a person is covered by the shade of Abu Bakr’s nature and does not take on the hue of his disposition, they cannot attain the excellences of the Truthful. What is the Nature of Abu Bakr ra ? What is the nature of Abu Bakr ra ? This is not the occasion for a detailed discus- sion and discourse on this subject, as much time would be required for such an exposition. To be brief, I shall narrate an incident. When the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, made his claim to prophethood, Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him, had travelled to Syria. On his return, he was still en route when he happened to meet someone. Hazrat Abu Bakr ra inquired of him as to the circumstances in Mecca and asked him if there was any current news. It is commonly observed that when a person returns from a journey, they will ask their fellow countrymen about the circumstances of their homeland. The individual responded: ‘What is new is that your friend (Muhammad sa ) has made a claim to prophethood. ’ As soon as Hazrat Abu Bakr ra heard this, he re- sponded: ‘If he has made such a claim, then he is truthful indeed. ’ This shows the degree to which Hazrat Abu Bakr ra thought well of the Holy Prophet sa. He felt no need to ask for a miracle. In actuality, only such a one who is uninformed