it had been true. For Abū Bakr was not a tailor, but a merchant who sometimes travelled for business and sometimes did not. He travelled to Syria on business (1) after embracing Islam. Trade was the finest livelihood among Quraysh, and the best of their wealthy men were merchants. The Arabs knew them for their commerce. When he assumed leadership, he wished to continue trading to support his dependants, but the Muslims prevented him, saying, “This will distract you from attending to the Muslims’ affairs.”

Their clothing consisted mostly of upper-body wraps and waist wraps, so there was very little tailoring among them. There was, however, a tailor in Medina who invited (2) the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, to his home (3).

As for the well-known Emigrants, I know of no tailor among them, although tailoring is among the finest and most honourable crafts.

Abū Bakr’s spending in obedience to Allah and His Messenger is established by widespread transmission and is known to the general public and the learned alike. He possessed wealth before Islam (4), and he was highly regarded among Quraysh, well loved and pleasant company, with expert knowledge of Arab genealogies and historical events. People came to him for business, for his knowledge, and for his kindness. Thus, when he left Mecca, Ibn al-Daghinnah said to him,