Choosing a Companion Well

Number five, another lesson from hijrah: the need to choose one's companions well. Who did the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) choose to join him in hijrah? It was Abū Bakr al-Ṣiddīq, may Allah be pleased with him. It was the best choice that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) could make. Abū Bakr al-Ṣiddīq, may Allah be pleased with him, first of all, he loved Muḥammad (peace be upon him). He loved him, and this love was not lip service, it was real. When Abū Bakr knew that he would be with Muḥammad (peace be upon him) on hijrah, and he was so happy that he was going to join Muḥammad (peace be upon him), this shows his love. He used his entire family to serve the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) in this journey. He had a high sense of security. He was a very wise man. He was willing to sacrifice his life for Muḥammad (peace be upon him), as already described, when he went into the cave and when he was walking in front of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and then walking behind him.

This incident was narrated by ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb. When ʿUmar was Khalīfah, he heard that some people were gathering and discussing who was better, Abū Bakr or ʿUmar. So ʿUmar rushed toward them, and he said that one day in the life of Abū Bakr is better than the entire life of ʿUmar, but better than the entire family of ʿUmar. And he narrated to them this story. He said, "That day in the life of Abū Bakr, the day of the hijrah, that single day is better, not only than ʿUmar and the entire life of ʿUmar, but better than the entire family of ʿUmar, for all of their lives." And that shows the recognition that the Ṣaḥābah had of the high status of Abū Bakr al-Ṣiddīq, may Allah be pleased with him.