Hazrat Muhammad
ibn Abi Bakr was the son of the first caliph. His mother was Hazrat Asma bint
Umais (s.a.). After the death of the first caliph, she married the Commander of
the Faithful; Imam Ali (a.s.) and the Imam adopted Hazrat Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr
and treated him like his own son. He was born in Madinah in 10 A.H. After
being raised in the Purified shadow
of the Imamate, he became one of the staunchest supporters of Imam Ali (a.s.). It requires a huge moral courage to see
the truth and stand up against any one even his own sister, Hazrat A’isha, the
Mother of Muslimeen, in the Battle of Camel (Jamal).
He had a son named Qasim, who had a daughter whose name was Umme
Farwa. She was married to the Infallible Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.). Hence
she became the mother of the Infallible Imam Jaffar al-Sadiq (a.s.)
During the Battle
of Camel (Jamal), Imam Ali (a.s.) appointed him as the commander of the
infantry. He was a brave man and hence fought bravely. When the Imam
ordered the feet of the camel on which Hazrat A’isha was leading the war, the
Imam told him to go near the camel and protect his sister when the seat falls. After the end of hostilities, Imam Ali
(a.s.) respectfully sent her back to Madinah under the protection of Muhammad
ibn Abi Bakr and forty respectable women disguised as men. At every occasion,
Imam Ali (a.s.) demonstrated the highest degree of humanity, respect for
Allah’s creation as a Divinely appointed leader should perform.
Hazrat Muhammad ibn
Abi Bakr had written a letter to Muawiya about his behavior towards Imam Ali
(a.s.). It is a long letter which exhibits the flair of Imam Ali (a.s.)’
eloquence. Some of the extracts are reproduced below:
“I saw how you tried to reach his lofty status,
though you are what you are, while he is the one who stood out above the rest as the foremost
in doing of anything good and in embracing Islam. His conviction was most sincere, his offspring the best among
all people, his wife the best of all women, whose cousin (the Prophet) was the very best, whose uncle was the Master
of Martyrs on the day of Uhad, whose father defended the Messenger of Allah and his
mission, while you are the accursed and the son of the accursed. You and your father have never ceased plotting to undermine the
religion of Allah, trying, both of you, to put out the light of Allah, rallying others behind you, spending wealth and seeking the support of other tribes. Woe unto you! How dare you set yourself as an
equal to Ali while he is the heir of the Messenger of Allah, his wasi, the first among the people to follow
him, the very closest to him. He shares secrets with him, while you are his
enemy and the son of his enemy!”
Imam Ali (a.s.) appointed him as the governor of Egypt and
sent instructions of governance. Extracts are given below:
“Treat them (Egyptians) with respect. Be
kind and considerate with them. Meet them cheerfully. Be fair, just, and impartial in your dealings
so that even influential persons may not dare take undue advantage of your leniency and the commoners and
the poor may not be disappointed in your justice and fair dealings. O’Creature of Allah! Remember that the Almighty
Lord is going to take an account of each one of your sins, major or minor and whether committed openly or
secretly. If He punishes you for your sins, it will not be an act of tyranny and if He forgives you it will
be because of his Great Mercy and Forgiveness.”
Muawiya wanted to wrestle away Egypt from Imam Ali (a.s.);
hence he sent Amro bin al-Aas with 6,000 people to face Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr.
On receiving this information, Imam Ali (a.s.) sent Hazrat Malik al-Ashtar.
When he reached Areesh, Muawiya conspired with a landlord to poison him in
exchange for his taxes for 20 years will be free. Hence, Malik was martyred
before reaching Egypt. Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr fought bravely but was martyred.
On instructions from Muawiya, his body was sewed in the Caracas of a donkey and
burnt. One can imagine what type of so called Muslims were they! Hazrat A’isha continued to curse Muawiya
and Amro Aas for the rest of her life.
Imam Ali (a.s.) wrote to Abdullah ibn Abbas, Muhammad ibn
Abi Bakr’s uncle: “Muhammad died as a martyr.
I beseech the reward of Allah for the sorrow I feel and the grief I suffer on
account of the martyrdom of this young man who was like a son to me. He loved
me. He was faithful to me. For Islam, he was a sharp sword and an impregnable
fort.
Sources used:
Sharah Nahjul-Balagha By:
Ibne Abul Hadid
Alhassnain.com
WIKIPEDIA
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