The Story of Abu Bakr Gets the Nickname Ash-Siddiq and Al-‘Atiq

The Story of Abu Bakr Ra

Muslim Creed – The story of Abu Bakr who was nick named Ash-Siddiq and Al-‘Atiq is very interesting for Muslims to know. This can be a provision to be more pious to Allah Subhanahuwata’ala.

According to the teacher, Mr. Muhamad Abror, an alumnus of the Ma’had Aly Sa’idusshiddiqiyah Islamic Boarding School (Indonesia), explained that the Prophet often gave nicknames to his friends as a form of flattery and appreciation according to their superiority.

Among them are Umar bin Khattab who is nicknamed Al-Faruq (the difference between truth and falsehood), Khalid bin Walid who is nicknamed Saifullah (the sword of Allah), and Hamzah bin Abdul Muttalib who is nicknamed Asadullah (the tiger of Allah).

As the most important friend of the Prophet Muhammad, Abu Bakr also had a special nickname, namely Ash-Siddiq and al-‘Atiq. The following is an explanation of the meaning and reasons for embedding the two nicknames.

1. Ash-Siddiq

Ash-Siddiq means ‘one who is very honest or justifies a lot’. Abu Bakr got this nickname because he was the friend of the Prophet who trusted the Prophet the most, even in matters that didn’t make sense.

As was told after the events of IsraMikraj. In one night, the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihiwassallam made a lightning trip from Mecca to BaitulMaqdis, and continued the journey of the sky with all its wonders.

The next day, the Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alaihiwassallam told the people of Mecca about what had just happened last night. Instead of increasing faith, many residents of Mecca do not believe. Those who used to like to criticize the Prophet, became even more excited to make fun of them because they got a golden moment to insult the Prophet.

Worse yet, people whose faith is weak become apostates because they are instigated and regard the Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alaihiwassallam as a liar. In such a precarious situation, Abu Bakr appeared bravely and confidently confirming whatever the Messenger of Allah said without but. Since that incident, the Prophet nicknamed him ash-Siddiq.

In the hadith narrated by Siti Aisyah radhiyallahuanha, it is explained:

لَمَّا أُسْرِيَ بِالنَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الأَقْصَى، أَصْبَحَ يُحَدِّثُ بِذَلِكَ النَّاسَ، فَارْتَدَّ نَاسٌ مِمَّنْ كَانَ آمَنَ وَصَدَّقَ بِهِ وَفُتِنُوا، فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ: إِنِّي لأُصَدِّقُهُ فِيمَا هُوَ أَبْعَدُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ، أُصَدِّقُهُ بِخَبَرِ السَّمَاءِ غَدْوَةً أَوْ رَوْحَةً، فَلِذَلِكَ سُمِّيَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقَ

“As soon as the Prophet did his isra to Al-Aqsa Mosque, in the morning he informed him of the

it to the people (Makkah). (I was so disbelieving), to the point that those who had believed and believed in the Prophet became apostates. They are wretched. Abu Bakr also said, ‘I justify it in matters more than that, I confirm it about the revelations he received from the sky in the morning or evening.’ Therefore, Abu Bakr was given a title by the name of Ash-Siddiq.” (IbnulAtsir, UsdulGhabah fi Ma’rifatishShababah, juz three, page 310.)

Imam An-Nawawi in his book Tadzhibul Asmawal Lughat also gives an opinion:

وأجمعت الأئمة على تسميته صديقًا. قال على بن أبى طالب، رضى الله عنه: إن الله تعالى هو الذى سمى أبا بكر على لسان رسول الله – صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ – صديقًا، وسبب تسميته أنه بادر إلى تصديق رسول الله – صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ – ولازم الصدق، فلم يقع منهم هناة ولا وقفة فى حال من الأحوال.

“The priests (ulama) agreed on the nickname Ash-Siddiq to Abu Bakr. Friends of Ali bin Abi Talibradhiyallah once said, ‘Indeed it was Allah who gave the name (nickname) Ash-Siddiq through the intermediary of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihiwassallam.’ Because the name is because Abu Bakr was the one who was always at the forefront of justifying the Prophet and he never once denied it.” (An-Nawawi, TadzhibulAsmawalLughat, juz II, page 181)

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2. Al-‘Atiq

The nickname that Abu Bakr had next was Al-‘Atiq. Scholars differ on what caused him to be nicknamed this name. Some say because Abu Bakr’s face is handsome. This opinion is according to Laits bin Sa’ad, Ahmad bin Hambal, Ibn Mu’in, and others.

There are also those who say because Abu Bakr is a person who is at the forefront of goodness. This opinion is according to Abu Nu’aim al-Fahdl bin Dukain. While another version says that because Abu Bakr was born from a holy lineage, because his ancestors’ lineage was spared from adultery. There are also those who say that because Abu Bakr has received a guarantee that he will be free from the torments of hell. (As-Suyuti, Date of Khulafa, page 27)

The mention of this nickname is also mentioned in several hadiths, one of which is the following hadith of Aisyahradhiyallahuanha:

والله إني لفي بيتي ذات يوم ورسول الله -صلى الله عليه وسلم- وأصحابه في الفناء والستر بيني وبينهم إذ أقبل أبو بكر، فقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: “من سره أن ينظر إلى عتيق من النار فلينظر إلى أبي بكر

“By Allah, I was in my house one day, while the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihiwassallam and some of the companions were in the courtyard. Between me and them was covered by a barrier. Suddenly Abu Bakr came and the Prophet said, ‘Who likes If you see someone who is free (‘atiq) from the fire of hell, then look at Abu Bakr.” (HR. Al Hakim)

This is The short Story of Abu Bakr Gets the Nickname Ash-Siddiq and Al-‘Atiq

Wallahua’lambishwab.

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