Always my friend?

Question:

Some innovators claim that the Prophet (s.) told Abu Bakr that he would always remain his friend, is this accusation true?

Answer:

The disbelievers have lied!

Ibrahim Ibn Hashim reported that Imam As-Sadiq (a.) said: “When the Prophet Muhammad (s.) was in the cave, he said to him ( Abu Bakr): “It seems to me that i am looking at the ship of Ja’far and his companions, which is floating on the sea, and also at the helpers from Medina, who take care of the finances in their area.” He said: “You see them, o Messenger of God?” He answered: “Yes.” He said: “Then show them to me!” Therefore the messenger (s.) stroked over both his eyes so that he could see them.” He said to himself: “Now i find myself confirmed that you are a magician!” He said: “You are the one who finds himself confirmed.” The Exalted One said: “And He made the word of those who disbelieve inferior. Behold, the word of God is superior.” (9:40) [Tafsir Al-Qummi, volume 1 page 290].

فإنه حدثني أبي عن بعض رجاله رفعه إلى أبي عبد الله قال لما كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله في الغار قال لفلان (أبي بكر) كأني أنظر إلى سفينة جعفر في أصحابه يقوم في البحر وأنظر إلى الأنصار محتسبين في أفنيتهم فقال فلان وتراهم يا رسول الله قال نعم قال فأرنيهم فمسح على عينيه فرآهم فقال في نفسه الآن صدقت أنك ساحر فقال له رسول الله أنت الصِديق. وقوله: وجعل كلمة الذين كفروا السفلى وكلمة الله هي العليا

Neither “always” (أبَدًا) is mentioned nor “friend” (صَدِيقٌ). The point is that Abu Bakr sees his disbelief (كُفْرٌ) confirmed (صِدِّيقٌ) that Muhammad (s) is a magician (سَاحِرٌ), as can be read in the book.

The same word is used in the Qur’an by the devil:

“Iblis found his opinion confirmed by them. They followed him, with the exception of some of the faithful.” [Saba’ 34:20]

ولقد صدق عليهم إبليس ظنه فاتبعوه إلا فريقا من المؤمنين

Zurarah reported that Imam Al-Baqir (a.) said: “God sent down His peace on His Messenger (s.). Do you not see that the peace was sent down upon His Messenger?” And: “He made the word of those who disbelieve inferior.” (9:40) He said: “By this is meant the word that Atiq (Abu Bakr) uttered.” [Bihar-ul-Anwar of Al-Majlisi, volume 19 page 80].

قال زرارة: قال أبو جعفر عليه السلام: فأنزل الله سكينته على رسوله ألا ترى أن السكينة إنما نزلت على رسوله وجعل كلمة الذين كفروا السفلى فقال: هو الكلام الذي يتكلم به (أبو بكر) عتيق

Khalid Ibn Nujaih reported that he said to Imam As-Sadiq (a.): “May my life be sacrificed to you! Did the Prophet Muhammad (s.) call Abu Bakr a confirmed one (siddiq)?” He said: “Yes.” Khalid said: “But how?” He said: “When he was with him in the cave, the messenger (s.) said: “I see the ship of Ja’far Ibn Abi Talib and his companions, which is wandering on the sea.” He (Abu Bakr) said: “O Messenger of Allah, you see them?” He replied: “Yes.” He said: “So can you show me?” He replied: “Come near me!” So he approached the Prophet (s.), who stroked both his eyes. Then he said: “Look! Abu Bakr looked and saw the ship wandering on the sea and then he looked at the palaces of Medina.” He (Abu Bakr) said to himself: “Now I find myself confirmed that you are a magician!” He replied: “The one who finds himself confirmed is you!” [Basa’ir-ud-Darajat of As-Saffar, page 442 Hadith 14]

حدثنا موسى بن عمر عن عثمان عيسى عن خالد بن نجيح قال قلت لأبي عبد الله جعلت فداك سما رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله أبا بكر الصديق قال نعم قال فكيف قال حين كان معه في الغار قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله انى لأرى سفينة جعفر بن أبي طالب تضطرب في البحر ضالة قال (أبو بكر): يا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وانك لتراها قال نعم (قال) فتقدر ان ترينها قال ادن منى قال فدنا منه فمسح على عينيه ثم قال انظر فنظر أبو بكر فرأى السفينة وهي تضطرب في البحر ثم نظر إلى قصور أهل المدينة فقال (أبو بكر) في نفسه الان صدقت انك ساحر فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله الصديق أنت