History of Khulafah Rashideen by Jalal ad-Din as-Suyuti - translated by Abdassamad Clarke

Know that I have seen a book written by one of the scholars on the names of those about whom Qur’an was revealed but it was not accurate or comprehensive, so I composed on that subject a copious, comprehensive and accurate book and I excerpt from it here that wbich pertains to as-Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him.

Allah, exalted is He, says, "The second of the two when the two of them were in the cave, when he said to his companion, “Do not be sad, truly Allah is with us. ” So Allah sent down His tranquillity upon him.’ (Qur’an 9: 40) The Muslims are unanimously agreed that the companion who is mentioned here is Abu Bakr, and there will come a tradition from him on it.

Ibn Abi Hatim narrated that Ibn cAbbas said, about His words, exalted is He, ' Then Allah sent down His tranquillity upon him,’ he said, ‘upon Abu Bakr. (As for) the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, tranquillity was always upon him.’ Ibn Abi Hatim narrated that Ibn Mascud said that Abu Bakr bought Bilal from Umayyah ibn Khalf and Ubayy ibn Khalf with a cloak and ten pieces of silver (approximately an ounce each), then set him free for the sake of Allah. Then Allah revealed, "By the night when it covers... ’ up to His words, ‘... truly your endeavours are different,’ (Qur’an 96: 1-4) meaning the endeavours of Abu Bakr, Umayyah and Ubayy.

Ibn Jarir narrated that cAmir ibn cAbdullah ibn az-Zubayr said:

Abu Bakr used to set free (slaves) upon (their acceptance of) Islam, in Makkah. He would set free old women and women generally whenever they accepted Islam. His father said, ‘Son, I see you freeing weak people. Why do you not free strong men who would stand with you, protect you and repel (attackers) from you.’ He said, ‘Father, I wish for that which is with Allah.’ He (cAmir) said:

Some of my family told me that this ayah was revealed about him, ‘So as for he who gives and has fearful obedience...’ (Qur’an 96: 5-21)

to its end.

Ibn Abi Hatim and at-Tabarani narrated that cUrwah said that Abu Bakr as-Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him, freed seven, each of whom was being tortured for Allah, and that about him was revealed, ‘And the most fearfully obedient will be avertedfrom it (the Fire)...' (Qur’an 96: 18-21) to the end of the surah.

Al-Bazzar narrated that cAbdullah ibn az-Zubayr said: This ayah, And there is not for anyone with him a benefit to be recompensed,’6

(Qur’an 96: 19) was revealed about Abu Bakr as-Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him.

Al-Bukhari narrated that cA’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, said that Abu Bakr never used to break oaths until Allah revealed the atonement for breaking an oath.

Al-Bazzar and Ibn cAsakir narrated that Usayd ibn Safwan, who enjoyed companionship (of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace), said: cAli said, “And the one who came with the truth (al-haqq)" (Qur’an 39: 33) is Muhammad “and he affirmed it" (Ibid.) refers to Abu Bakr as-Siddiq.’ Ibn cAsakir said: The narration is this way, ‘with al-haqq (truth)’ (rather than as-sidq [sincerity or truthfulness] the usual reading in Qur’an) and perhaps it was a variant reading of cAli.

Al-Hakim narrated that Ibn cAbbas spoke about His words, exalted is He, And take their counsel in the matter.’ (Qur’an 3: 159)

He said, ‘It was revealed about Abu Bakr and cUmar.’ Ibn Abi Hatim narrated that Ibn Shaw’dhab said: And for him who fears the standing (before) his Lord there are two gardens', (Qur’an M: 46) was revealed about Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him.

At-Tabarani narrated in al-Awsat that Ibn cUmar and Ibn cAbbas ruib said about His words, exalted is He, "And the right-acting of the believers,’ (Qur’an 66: 4) that they were revealed about Abu Bakr and ‘Umar.

‘Abdullah ibn Abi Humayd narrated in his tafsir that Mujahid Nil ill: When ‘ Truly Allah and His angels send blessings on the Prophet I (Qur’an 33: 56) was revealed, Abu Bakr said, ‘Messenger of Allah, Allah has not sent down on you good but that we share in it,’ and I hen this ayah was revealed, ‘He is the One Who sends blessings upon you (the mu’minun) and His angels (send blessings upon you)! (Qur’an 33: 43)

I bn cAsakir narrated that cAli ibn al-Hussein said that this ayah was revealed about Abu Bakr, cUmar and cAli, And We wrest away that which is in their breasts of malice, as brothers on couches, facing each other? (Qur’an 15: 47)

Ibn cAsakir narrated that Ibn cAbbas said: ’I here was revealed about Abu Bakr, And We have counselled man with good treatment of his parents! up to His words, ‘the promise of sincerity which they were promised! (Qur’an 46: 15-16)

Ibn cAsakir narrated that Ibn cUyaynah said: Allah reproached all of the Muslims concerning the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, excepting only Abu Bakr alone, for lie was definitely excluded from the reproach. Then he recited, ‘If you do not help him then Allah has already helped him when the ones who disbelieve expelled him as the second of two, when they two were in the cave? (Qur’an 9: 40).