“Even if you had asked for 100 ūqiyyah of gold, I would have given that and purchased Bilāl (رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ).”^[1]

Dear Islamic brothers, this incident shows us how compassionate Sayyidunā Abū Bakr Ṣiddīq رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ was towards the Muslims. He could not bear to see any believer in difficulty and would give preference to them with his wealth over himself. This is the reason why he purchased and freed seven servants, including Sayyidunā Bilāl Ḥabshi رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ. Alongside being righteous, he was often the first to carry out righteous deeds.

Financial sacrifices

When the Battle of Tabūk took place, the final Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم instructed the wealthy people of his nation to wholeheartedly give in the way of Allah so that supplies and conveyances could be arranged for those fighting for the sake of Islam. Acting upon this call of the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, the greatest devotee, Sayyidunā Abū Bakr Ṣiddīq رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ responded by giving away his entire wealth in the way of Allah. He took all of the money and possessions from his home and placed them at the feet of the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم.

Seeing this great sacrifice, the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم asked, “Have you left anything for your household?” Sayyidunā Abū Bakr Ṣiddīq replied with the highest level of etiquette and said, “اَبْقَيْتُ لَهُمُ اللهَ وَرَسُوْلَهُ” – “I have left them in the care of Allah and His Messenger”,^[2] as though to say, “Allah Almighty and His Messenger صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم are sufficient for me and my family.”

I am pleased with my Lord

Sayyidunā ʿAbdullah bin ʿUmar رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا narrates: