“Who gives his wealth to purify himself” (18).

“Who gives his wealth” means: who spends his wealth; “to purify himself” means: seeking to be counted as pure in the sight of Allah, not out of ostentation or a desire for reputation. According to all of them, this refers to Abu Bakr al-Siddiq.

Ibn al-Zubayr said: Abu Bakr would buy weak and helpless people and set them free. His father said to him, “My son, if only you would buy those who could defend you!” He replied, “It is my own protection that I seek.” Then the words were revealed: “But the most God-fearing shall be kept far from it,” to the end of the surah. (1)

Muhammad ibn Ishaq related: Bilal ibn Rabah, whose mother was named Hamamah, belonged to a branch of Banu Jumah. He was sincere in his Islam and pure of heart. Whenever the midday heat became intense, Umayyah ibn Khalaf would bring him out, lay him on his back in the valley of Mecca, and order that a huge rock be placed upon his chest. He would then say to him, “You will remain like this until you die or disbelieve in Muhammad.” Amid that torment, Bilal would say, “The One, the One.”

Muhammad ibn Ishaq also related from Hisham ibn Urwah, from his father, that Abu Bakr once passed by him while they were subjecting him to this treatment. Abu Bakr’s home was in the quarter of Banu Jumah, so he said to Umayyah, “Will you not fear Allah, Exalted is He, regarding this poor man?” Umayyah replied, “You are the one who corrupted him, so save him from what you see.” Abu Bakr said, “I will do so. I have a black slave boy, tougher and stronger than him, who follows your religion. Shall I give him to you?” He said, “You have done so.” Abu Bakr gave him his slave and took Bilal, then set him free.

Before emigrating, Abu Bakr also set free for the sake of Islam six slaves, Bilal being the seventh: Amir ibn Fuhayrah, who witnessed Badr and Uhud and was martyred on the day of Bi’r Ma‘unah; Umm Umays; and Zinnirah, whose sight was afflicted when Abu Bakr set her free. Quraysh said, “Nothing but al-Lat and al-Uzza has taken away her sight.” She said, “They have lied! By the Lord of the House, al-Lat and al-Uzza can neither harm nor benefit.” (3) So Allah restored her sight. He also set free al-Nahdiyyah and her daughter, who belonged to a woman of Banu Abd al-Dar. He passed by them while their mistress had sent them to gather firewood for her, saying, “By Allah, I shall never set you two free.” Abu Bakr said, “Let them go, O mother of so-and-so.” She replied, “You are the one who corrupted them, so set them free.” Abu Bakr said, “For how much?” She named a price, and he said, “I have taken them; they are both free.” He also passed by a slave girl belonging to Banu al-Muammal while she was being tortured, bought her, and set her free. (6)