After the demise of Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) his vicegerency in every respect devolved to Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddique (radhiyallahu anhu). By virtue of the Bay’t (Oath of Allegiance) of the Muhaajireen and Ansaar, he was appointed the Khalifah. While Qur’aanic verses allude to Hadhrat Abu Bakr’s khilaafat, the Ahaadith of Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) in this regard are explicit.

The Hadith,

“Allah and the Mu’mineen refuse to accept (anyone) but Abu Bakr.”,is explicit on the issue of Abu Bark’s succession. The most important consideration in this regard is the total accord between the hearts of Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) and Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu anhu). This has been stated clearly by Hafiz Ibn Hajr (rahmatullah alayh). – Laami’, Vol. 2, page 452. Numerous incidents bear testimony to the mutual accord and unity of their hearts, e.g. the anecdote of Abul Hatheem’s invitation which has already been explained a few pages earlier. Also on the occasion of Hudaibiyyah, the answers which Hadhrat Abu Bakr gave to the questions of Hadhrat Umar were the same as those given by Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) although he (Abu Bakr) was not aware thereof. Regarding the captives of Badr, the opinion of Hadhrat Abu Bakr conformed to the opinion of Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم).

The description of Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu anhu) given by Ibn Daghna conforms to the description of Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) given by Hadhrat Khadijah (radhiyallahu anha).

In addition to these clear indications of his succession, Hadhrat Abu Bakr’s khilaafat was established by the popular Bay’t of the Sahaabah after the demise of Nabi-e-Akram (صلى الله عايه وسالم).

According to the most authoritative version, his name was Abdullah. During the time of Jaahiliyyah his name was Abdul Ka’bah. Some say that his name was Ateeq. However, the reliable version is that Ateeq was his title.

His genealogical tree is:

Abdullah the son of Abu Quhafah, the son of Amir, the son of Amr, the son of Ka’b, the son of Tameem, the son of Murrah, the son of Ka’b, the son of Luway, the son of Ghalibil Qurshi Taimi.

The lineage of Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu anhu) meets with that of Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) in Murrah Bin Ka’b.

The name of his father, Abu Quhafah was Uthman who embraced Islam in the 8th year of Nubuwwat at the age of 90 years.

Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu anhu) is known by a variety of titles. According to Hadhrat Aishah (radhiyallahu anha), while house-folk would call him Abdullah, he was generally known by the title, Ateeq. Some say that he was called Ateeq because of his handsomeness. Others say that on account of his eagerness for virtue he was named Ateeq. Another view is that he is called so because his lineage was free from the slightest blemish. According to the narration of Tirmizi, the reason for the title of Ateeq is the announcement of his salvation from Jahannam.

His famous title, however, is Siddique. There is difference of opinion regarding the occasion when he was awarded this title. According to some, he was known by this blessed title even during the time of Jaahiliyyah because of his outstanding quality of truthfulness. However, the well-known version is that on the occasion of Mir’aaj, Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) was apprehensive about people acknowledging the truth of this miraculous journey. Jibraeel (alayhis salaam) assured Nabi-e-Akram (صلى الله عايه وسالم) that Abu Bakr will acknowledge its truth because he is a Siddique.

In Taafikhul Khulafa is recorded the narration of Mustadrak in which Nazal Bin Subrah said:

“We asked Ali regarding Abu Bakr. He said: ‘He is a man who was given the title of Siddique by Allah via the agency of Jibraeel (alayhis salaam) and Muhammad (صلى الله عايه وسالم); in Salaat he was the representative of Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم). The man whom Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) chose for our Deen (i.e. Salaat), we chose for our Dunya (Khilaafat).”

According to Tibrani, Hakeem Bin Sa’d narrated that Hadhrat Ali (radhiyallahu anhu) took an oath that the title Siddique was revealed by Allah from the heavens for Abu Bakr.