Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr

He is Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr Al-Siddiq, the eldest son of Abi Bakr Al-Siddiq. Al-Zubayr bin Bakkar said: He had a sense of humor. His mother is Umm Ruman, also the mother of Aisha, making him her full brother. He fought on the polytheists' side during Badr and Uhud's battles.

Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr in the Pre-Islamic Era

His name during the pre-Islamic era was Abd al-Ka'ba, which the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) later changed. His conversion to Islam was delayed until the period of the truce, after which he embraced Islam and became a good Muslim.

Abu al-Faraj in "Al-Aghani" stated that Abd al-Rahman did not migrate with his father because he was young. Abd al-Rahman fought with the polytheists' army, and during the Battle of Uhud, he was among the archers recruited by Quraysh to fight against the Muslims. At the start of the battle, Abd al-Rahman called out for a duel with any Muslim who would face him. His father, Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, stood up to duel him, but the Prophet (peace be upon him) intervened and prevented Abu Bakr from dueling his son.

The Story of Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr's Conversion to Islam

Before the conquest of Mecca, Abd al-Rahman, along with a group of young men from Quraysh, including Muawiyah, went to Medina and converted to Islam. This account was reported by Al-Zubayr ibn Bakkar from Ibn Uyaynah from Ali ibn Zayd ibn Jud'an, although there is some doubt regarding this narration.

Since his conversion, Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) has not missed any battle, jihad, or act of obedience. During the Battle of Yamama, he performed exceptionally well. He killed Muhakkam ibn Tufayl, the mastermind behind Musaylimah the Liar, and stood firm with the Muslims until they defeated the army of apostasy and disbelief.

Key Aspects of Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr's Personality

• Integrity and Honesty: Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr was known for his unwavering honesty. He was never known to have told a lie.
• Bravery and Skill in Archery: Ibn Abdul Barr described him as a courageous and skilled archer. During the Battle of Yamama, he killed seven prominent enemies, including Muhakkam of Yamama. Muhakkam was in a breach in the fortress, and Abd al-Rahman shot him with an arrow that struck his throat, killing him and allowing the Muslims to enter through that breach.
• Unwavering Loyalty and Integrity: His core trait was absolute loyalty to his convictions and a refusal to compromise under any circumstances. When Muawiyah decided to secure the pledge of allegiance for his son Yazid by force, he wrote to Marwan, his governor in Medina, instructing him to read the pledge in the mosque. After Marwan read it, Abd al-Rahman stood up and protested, saying: "By Allah, you do not seek the best interest of the Ummah of Muhammad. Rather, you want to turn it into a Heraclean dynasty; whenever a Heraclius dies, another Heraclius takes his place".
• Generosity and Benevolence: Abd al-Rahman was known for his generosity and willingness to help others. It is narrated that a Bedouin woman from the tribe of Hawazin came to him, stating her dire situation. She described how she was left destitute after losing her family and asked him to either support her, help her find stability, or return her to her homeland. Abd al-Rahman responded by fulfilling all her requests.

Instances of Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr with the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

The Lady Aisha narrated: Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr, the son of Umm Ruman, once entered upon the Prophet (peace be upon him) while he was returning a tooth-stick (miswak) to him, moistened with water.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) had a fondness for using the miswak, and I saw him (the Prophet) looking at Abd al-Rahman intently. I said, "O Abd al-Rahman, chew the miswak a bit," and then I took it from him, chewed on it, and handed it to the Prophet (peace be upon him). He accepted it and used it to clean his teeth, and I tasted the sweetness of his saliva mingled with mine.

Instances of Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr with the Companions

During the Battle of Badr with his Father

Ibn Hisham narrates that Abu Bakr called out to his son Abd al-Rahman during the Battle of Badr while he was among the polytheists. Abu Bakr said, "Where is my wealth, O wicked one?" Abd al-Rahman replied:

لم يبق غير شكة ويعبوب *** وصارم يقتل ضلال الشيب

Translated as: "There are only Shakka and Ya'buub left, and Sarm is killing the leaders of the gray hairs".

Regarding Yazid ibn Muawiyah's Pledge of Allegiance:

Al-Zuhri reported from Sa'id ibn al-Musayyib that Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr (who never lied) mentioned an incident. When the pledge of allegiance to Yazid ibn Muawiyah was brought to Medina, Abd al-Rahman said to Marwan, "By Allah, you have made it a Heraclean and a Khusrawan matter". This meant turning the leadership into a hereditary dynasty, similar to the Roman and Persian empires. Marwan told him to be quiet, reminding him of the Quranic verse (Surah Al-Ahqaf, 46:17), to which Aisha responded, "By Allah, nothing in the Quran was revealed concerning us, except that it was about my conduct".

It is also reported that Aisha sent Abd al-Rahman to blame him and inform him of a defect in him and his father that is not true, and that Muawiyah sent Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr a hundred thousand dirhams after he refused to swear allegiance to Yazid ibn Muawiyah.

Some Hadith Narrations Reported by Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr from the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

1. Regarding the Distribution of Food:

Abu Uthman reported from Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Whoever has food for two should take a third person with him, and if it is for four, then a fifth or sixth". Abu Bakr brought three persons, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) went out with ten. Abd al-Rahman said, "It was I, my father, and my mother. I do not know if my wife and servant were also between my father's house and my own house. Abu Bakr had dinner at the Prophet's (peace be upon him) house and then stayed where I prayed Isha, and he came after Isha when Allah allowed him. His wife said to him, 'What's keeping you from your guest?' Or she said, 'What's keeping your guest?' He said, 'I have not dined with them'. She said, 'They refused until you come to them'. He said, 'I hid and said, 'O man, then take and curse'. And said, 'Eat, not forever'. By Allah, we took from the morsel, but most of it was less than that, it is better than that, and he asked Abu Bakr. After the morsel was more than that, he looked at his sister-in-law, "What is it?" The hand of the mouth before that time, then the time and it, our turn, So,

2. Narrated by Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him):

Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr narrated from the Prophet (peace be upon him) that he said, "Allah will call the person who has wealth on the Day of Judgment and will place him between His hands, saying, 'My servant, where did you spend the wealth of people?' He will say, 'O Lord, You know that I did not spoil it, but it was spent in drowning, burning, theft, or charity'. Allah will call him for something to put it in his balance, so his good deeds will outweigh".

The Death of Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr

Abu Zur'ah al-Dimashqi reported: Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr passed away in his sleep. Abu Mus'ab narrated from Malik, from Yahya ibn Sa'id, who mentioned and added: Aisha freed slaves for him. When he passed away, his death occurred at a place called al-Habashi, six miles from Mecca, or it is said twelve miles. Men carried him on their shoulders until he was buried in the higher part of Mecca. When Aisha arrived in Mecca, she visited his grave and said, "By Allah, if I had witnessed you, I would not have wept for you, and if I had been with you, I would not have moved you from the place where you died".

Ibn Sa'd narrated that Ibn Umar saw a whip on the grave of Abd al-Rahman, which Aisha had used after she became upset. Ibn Umar ordered it to be removed, saying, "Only his actions will accompany him". It is also said that Abd al-Rahman passed away in the year fifty-three Hijri. This was mentioned by al-Waqidi, Muhammad ibn Sa'd, Abu Ubaid, and others, although some say it was in the year fifty-four Hijri. Allah knows best.