Q. & A. 711 to 1707 with solved Papers css 1971 to date

PROBLEMS FACED BY HAZRAT ABU BAKR SIDDIQUE AS A CALIPH
After the death of the Holy Prophet, the Arabs were on all sides rising in rebellion. Apostasy and disaffection raised their heads. Christians and Jews were filled with unrest. Some Muslims tribes refused to pay Zakat to the Caliph for ”Baitul Mai” (the public treasury). Some disbelievers declared themselves to be Prophets. There were many problems and much confusion. Hazrat Abu Bakr (Rad.A) faced all these with unparallel courage and the highest degree of Iman (Faith) which is the characteristic of a ”Siddique”.3
At this place would like to point out that ”Siddiqiat” is the highest stage of Iman (Faith) and ”Tawakkul” (Trust in Allah) after Prophethood as pointed out in the following verse of the Holy Quran.
2 Dr. Majid Ali Khan, P 28.
3 Masud-ul-Hasan, Hazrat Abu Bakr, } .120
Hazrat Abu Bakr (Rad. A.) 195
”All those who obey Allah and Prophet are in the company of house upon whom Allah has shown favours-of the Prophets, ”Siddiqin” (The sincere), ”Shuhada” (The Martyrs), and ”Salihin”) (The Righteous Muslims): Ah! what a beautiful company.” In the following lines I would like to mention the main problems faced by Abu Bakr Siddique (Rad.A) in brief, (i) Usamah’s Expedition
The freed slavt of the Holy Prophet and his adopted son, Hazrat Zaid bin Harith (Rad.A) was martyred at the hands of Syrians (Romans) at Mautah in 8 A.H.,. A few weeks before his death the Holy Prophet appointed Hazrat Usamah (Rad.A), the son of Zaid to lead an expedition against Syrians in order to avenge the death of his father, Zaid, when Hazrat Usamah was about to leave, the news of the demise of the Holy Prophet came and the departure of army was postponed. After being chosen as Caliph, the first task before Abu Bakr (Rad.A) was to send out this expedition. As a matter of fact, it was the most critical time in the history of Islam. The entire peninsula was in a state of unrest and disorder. Some of the new converts thought Islam would come to an end with the Holy Prophet’s life. Many of the tribes had entered the fold of Islam only a short time before and were not firm in Islam. About this the Holy Quran has already predicted:
The wandering Arabs (Bedouins) say: we have (firm) faith. Say (to them O Muhammad): You believe not (firmly) but rather say ”we submit”, for the Faith has not entered into your hearts.”
At the same time news came to Medina thit apostates under the command of some false prophet were planning to invade the town. Hazrat Abu Bakr (Rad.A) was really facing a difficult situation. In the circumstances, the companions approached him to withdraw the expedition of Hazrat Usamah bin Zaid. In their opinion it was unwise to send troops out of Medina because they were needed at home. Here was the test of Abu Bakr’s (Rad.A) faith in following the ways of the Holy Prophet. He got through in his test and proved to be the most firm among all of his companions including Hazrat Umar (Rad.A). Abu Bakr (Rad.A) said he could never alter the decision taken by his master (the Holy Prophet).
He firmly replied to his companions, ”How can I fold up the flag which was unfurled by the Holy Prophet (PBUH) himself?” When Muslims saw that Hazrat Abu Bakr (Rad.A) was firm they requested him to change the command of Hazrat Usamah because he

Political an& Cultural History of Islam v/as too young and inexperienced-not yet twenty, thus was not fit to lead the’ expedition. Hearing this Hazrat Abu Bakr (Rad.A) was annoyed and said, ”D° Y°u warrt me to dismiss a man appointed by the Messenger of Allah?’” At least the army led by Hazrat Usamah left after three weeks °f Holy Prophet’s death. Hazrat Umar (Rad.A) was also included in *e army. Hazrat Abu Bakr (Rad.A) sought Usamah’s permissionto leave him in Medina, and he agreed. Hazrat Abu Bakr (Rad.A) himself bid him farewell and went to some distance out of Medina- The young commander of the army was riding a horse and the great Caliph was walking by his side. After forty days Hazrat Usamari returned to Medina with a great victory, the victory of Abu B^r’s (Rad.A) firm Faith.
The success °f Usamah’s expedition also opened the eyes of those who thought is^ was dying out after the demise of the Holy Prophet. Some of the tribes again came back to Islam which they had left.