7.4 — Main Achievements of the Rightly Guided Caliphs

✦ Hazrat Abu Bakr RZ (632 – 634 A.D / 11–13 A.H)

1. Steadying the Muslim Community After the Prophet's Death

• When Prophet Muhammad PBUH passed away, panic and grief spread among the Muslims.
• Hazrat Umar RZ initially refused to accept the news, but Hazrat Abu Bakr RZ calmly addressed the people, reminding them that Allah SWT is eternal and lives forever, while all prophets are mortal.
• This speech prevented chaos and panic and helped the community stay united at a moment of great shock.
• This was one of his most important personal achievements — holding the Ummah together at its most vulnerable hour.

3. Suppression of False Prophets (Ridda Wars)

• After the Prophet's PBUH death, several individuals falsely claimed prophethood, including Musaylima, Tulayha, Aswad Ansi, and Sajjah.
• Hazrat Abu Bakr RZ took firm action against each of them:
  • Aswad Ansi — captured Yemen but was assassinated.
  • Tulayha — defeated at the Battle of Buzakha by Hazrat Khalid bin Walid RZ; later accepted Islam.
  • Musaylima — the most dangerous false prophet; defeated at the Battle of Yamamah (also called the Battle of the Garden of Death); killed by Wahshi.
  • Sajjah — a female false prophetess from Bani Tamim; later embraced Islam.
• By defeating these false prophets, Hazrat Abu Bakr RZ protected the purity of Islam and preserved the belief in the finality of prophethood.

5. Compilation of the Holy Quran

• After the Battle of Yamamah, a large number of Huffaz (those who had memorised the Quran) were martyred.
• Hazrat Umar RZ suggested to Hazrat Abu Bakr RZ that the Quran should be collected in a single written form before more memorisers were lost.
• Hazrat Abu Bakr RZ initially hesitated, as it was something the Prophet PBUH had not done, but he was convinced of the importance of this step.
• He arranged the first formal compilation of the Quran into a single book (Mushaaf), supervised by Hazrat Zaid bin Thabit RZ.
• This was one of his greatest achievements — preserving the word of Allah SWT for all future generations.

6. Expansion of the Islamic State

• Hazrat Abu Bakr RZ initiated military campaigns beyond Arabia:
  • In Iraq (Persian Empire): Campaigns were led by Hazrat Khalid bin Walid RZ. Key victories included the Battle of Kazima (Battle of Chains), Battle of Walaja, Battle of Ullies, and the fall of Hira.
  • In Syria (Byzantine Empire): Armies under commanders such as Amr bin Aas and Abu Ubaidah achieved victories at the Battle of Busra and the Battle of Ajnedain.
• These campaigns laid the foundation for the great expansion that would follow under his successor.