him and grant him peace—was wealthy before the Hijrah through Khadījah’s wealth (1), and had no need to wage war or equip armies. After the Hijrah, Abū Bakr possessed nothing whatsoever (2). Moreover, had he spent anything, Quranic verses would necessarily have been revealed concerning him, just as they were revealed concerning ‘Alī:
“Has there come” [Surah al-Insān: 1].
It is well known that the Prophet [—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—] is nobler than those (3) to whom the Commander of the Faithful gave charity, and the amount they claim Abū Bakr spent is greater (4). Since no Quranic verses were revealed concerning him, this indicates (5) that the report is false.
As for his being appointed to lead the prayer (6), that is incorrect. When Bilāl gave the call to prayer, ‘Ā’ishah instructed him to put Abū Bakr forward. When the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—regained consciousness, he heard the proclamation of Allah’s greatness and asked, “Who is leading (7) the people in prayer?” They replied, “Abū Bakr,”
(1) ك: “from the wealth of Khadīja—peace be upon her.”
(2) ك (p. 201 م): “anything whatsoever belonging to Abū Bakr, under any circumstances.”
(3) ك: “that the Prophet—may Allah bless him and his family and grant him peace—was nobler than those…” The words “may Allah bless him and grant him peace” appear only in (م).
(4) ك: “was greater…”
(5) ك: “nothing was revealed, indicating…”
(6) ك: “for prayer.”
(7) ك: “for prayer, ‘Ā’isha ordered that her father be put forward, while the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and his family and grant him peace—was gravely ill. The Companions were in the mosque and had heard about the Prophet’s condition—may Allah bless him and grant him peace. They were all grieving and weeping—gharw bukā’—and the prayer was missed. When the Prophet—may Allah bless him and his family—regained consciousness, he heard the Companions proclaiming Allah’s greatness. He also heard what ‘Ā’isha said and what Hafsa said to her father, ‘Umar. Amid the confusion and the dispersal of the people, he asked: ‘Who is leading the prayer…’”