Chapter “The Enshrouded One” - ‘O You wrapped up in Your cloak, Arise and warn.” (Ibn
Hisham, Vol. I, pp. 289-91 and Al-Bukhaari).
SUFFERINGS OF ABU BAKR
One morning Abu Bakr made a bold move to invite a gathering of the heathens to the true
faith in God and His Prophet (r) but they fell upon him furiously and beat him mercilessly.
‘Utba Ibn Rabia inflicted such severe injuries to his face with a pair of shoes that one could
no longer distinguish the eyes from the nose of his swollen face.
Abu Bakr fell unconscious and was brought to his house by Banu Taym, his kinsmen, in a
precarious condition, his life hanging by a thread. He regained consciousness late in the
afternoon, but even then, the first thing he asked was whether the Prophet (r) was well
and safe! His relations with the Prophet (r) endangered him for his concern for the Prophet
(r), on whose account he had to suffer so grievously. Then, hardly raising his voice, he
repeated his question to Umm Jamil, who had also accepted Islam. Umm Jamil motioned
towards his mother who was standing near her, but Abu Bakr insisted on knowing about the
Prophet (r), saying that there was no harm on telling him in her presence. At last, Umm
Jamil told him that the Prophet (r) was fine, but Abu Bakr (t) would not be satisfied until
he had himself seen the Prophet (r).
He said, “I have taken a vow that I would not take anything until I have seen the Prophet
(r) myself.” The two women waited until everybody had departed and then they brought
Abu Bakr to the Prophet (r) who was moved to see his pitiable condition. The Prophet (r)
prayed for his mother and invited her to accept Islam. It is reported that she readily pledged
her trust in the Prophet (r) of God. (Ibn Kathir, Vol. I, pp. 439-41)