ʿUmar later related, “I kept speaking until I stumbled and my legs would no longer carry me”—meaning he could not remain standing—“so I sat down, for I knew this was the truth.” See, then, how unshakable Abu Bakr was in that moment.

The third episode occurred during the Treaty of al-Hudaybiyah. The treaty contained conditions that, on the surface, seemed degrading to the Muslims. One such clause stated that if anyone from Quraysh came to the Messenger as a Muslim—note well: as a Muslim—the Messenger must return him to Quraysh, whereas if someone from the Muslims defected to Quraysh, they were under no obligation to send him back.

To all appearances this clause was an outright injustice, and ʿUmar could not bear it. He cried, “Messenger of Allah, how—how can this be? A man leaves them as a Muslim, migrates to us, and we must send him back, while if one of us goes over to them they will not return him! How can we accept such humiliation in our religion? Are we not upon the truth and our enemy upon falsehood?” He replied, “Indeed, but this is Allah’s command. I am Allah’s servant and His Messenger; I will not disobey Him, and Allah will grant us victory.”

Still unable to accept it, ʿUmar went to Abu Bakr seeking support, hoping he might persuade the Prophet ﷺ to refuse. Yet Abu Bakr’s answer echoed the Prophet’s word for word. In that straitened hour he took a magnificent stand, saying, “He is the Messenger of Allah, and Allah will aid him. Cling to his stirrup,” warning ʿUmar—meaning: beware of opposing him, for he is upon the truth.

Through these three momentous events the steadfastness of Abu Bakr becomes evident, and that he