Wifāq ul Ulāma (SA) ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH AFRICAN 'ULAMA
Inviting to Islam
Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was a person with whom his people were well acquainted. He was beloved to his people and he was also soft and gentle in nature. He was the most knowledgeable regarding the lineage of the various tribes that were part of the Quraish. Similarly, he was the most knowledgeable regarding the conditions and history of the Quraish and the good and bad that transpired among the Quraish. He was a businessman who possessed excellent character and virtue. His people would come to him and confide in him regarding various affairs, due to his knowledge, business acumen, and the benefit of sitting in his company.
Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) took advantage of his esteemed position among his people to invite them towards Allah Ta‘ala and Islam. He invited all those people of his tribe who had confidence in him, would frequently visit him and would sit in his company.
Through his invitation, many people accepted Islam. In fact, five of the ‘Asharah Mubasharah (ten Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) who were given the glad tidings of Jannah in one gathering) had accepted Islam through the invitation of Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). These five Sahaabah were:
1. Hazrat ‘Uthmaan bin ‘Affaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu)
2. Hazrat Zubair bin ‘Awwaam (radhiyallahu ‘anhu)
3. Hazrat ‘Abdur Rahmaan bin ‘Auf (radhiyallahu ‘anhu)
4. Hazrat Sa’d bin Abi Waqqaas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu)
5. Hazrat Talhah bin ‘Ubaidillah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu)
(Al-Rowdh-ul-Unuf 1/430-431)
