Who was Abu Bakr, the first Rashidun Caliph?

Abu Bakr was a senior companion, close friend, and father-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, ruling as the first Rashidun caliph from 632 until his death in 634 CE. He successfully consolidated Muslim rule across the Arabian Peninsula during the Ridda Wars and initiated early incursions into the Byzantine and Sasanian Empires. Sunni tradition reveres him as the veracious first caliph, whereas Shia tradition contends that his accession bypassed Ali's rightful succession.

What we know

• Abu Bakr served as the first Rashidun caliph, ruling from 632 until his death in 634 CE. [1, 2]
• He overcame various local uprisings known as the Ridda Wars, consolidating and expanding Islam across the Arabian Peninsula. [2]
• Abu Bakr initiated the initial military incursions into the neighboring Sasanian and Byzantine Empires. [2]
• He is credited with the compilation of the Quran, maintaining a personal caliphal codex. [2]

Still open

• Shia tradition holds that Abu Bakr's accession to the caliphate bypassed Ali's rightful succession and regards him as an adversary of the Ahl al-Bayt, contrasting with Sunni reverence for him.

Where to go next

• what caused itWhat were the Ridda Wars?
• whenHow did Umar succeed Abu Bakr?
• the bigger pictureWho were the Rashidun Caliphs?
• a case in pointWho was Asma bint Abi Bakr?
• whereWhere is Abu Bakr buried?
• an unexpected connectionHow does early Islamic history connect to a 20th-century militant leader's nom de guerre?The founder of the militant group Islamic State adopted the name Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi to evoke historical caliphate legitimacy, mirroring the regnal title of the first Rashidun caliph.

Sources

• [1]Abu Bakr (Wikidata Q334923) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Abu Bakr · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Asma bint Abi Bakr · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Abu Bakr al-Razi · CC BY-SA 4.0