[now] you bring him freedom as well.’ Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ replied: ‘I have a slave healthier and stronger than Bilal; give me Sayyiduna Bilal رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ in exchange for that slave.’ He replied: ‘I agree!’ Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ bought Sayyiduna Bilal رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ in exchange for the slave and some money and freed him. Thereafter, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ freed six more such slaves. (Ar-Riyad-un-Nadarah, vol. 1, pp. 134)

It has also been narrated that Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddeeq رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ bought Sayyiduna Bilal Habashi رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ for 5 Awqiyah (about 32 Tola of) gold, so the seller said: ‘Abu Bakr! If you had stuck to only one Awqiyah of gold, I would have sold him even for that amount.’ Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ responded: ‘If you had demanded 100 Awqiyah of gold, I would have even paid that and would have definitely bought Sayyiduna Bilal.’

(Ar-Riyad-un-Nadarah, vol. 1, pp. 134)

Dear Islamic brothers! From the above-mentioned parable it has been learnt that Ameer-ul-Mu`mineen Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ was very kind to Muslims. He could not see any Mu’min in difficulty and would prefer his wealth to his life. That’s why he رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ bought seven slaves including Sayyiduna Bilal Habashi رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ and set them free. He رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ was not only pious, but he رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ would also take the lead in performing virtuous deeds.

Financial sacrifice by Sayyiduna Abu Bakr

On the occasion of the Battle of Tabook, the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم commanded the wealthy people of his Ummah to give financial donations generously in the path of Allah Almighty so that arrangements could be made for the food and riding animals of those who were fighting for the sake of Islam. Obeying this commandment of Rasoolullah صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, the blessed personality who brought his entire wealth to the Beloved Rasool          صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم to give it in the path of Allah Almighty was a blessed companion, a great devotee of Rasool, Sayyiduna Siddeeq-e-Akbar رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ. He placed all his wealth and possessions at the feet of the Beloved Rasool          صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. Seeing this great sacrifice made by his closest companion,