“Taking pains to remove the pain of others is the true essence of generosity,” said Abu Bakr As-Siddique (RA)

The first Caliph of Islam, Hazrat Abu Bakr R.A was the personification of kindness itself. Hazrat Umer R.A was always eager to learn from Abu Bakr Siddique R.A and replicate his actions. Once he found out that Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A), nearly every day visited a small cottage in the neighborhood of Madina. Curious to know the reason, Hazrat Umer R.A followed him one day and sat down to wait in the darkness outside the house. When Hazrat Abu Bakr R.A left the cottage, Hazrat Umer R.A went in. There he saw a lonely, old woman who seemed to be blind. 

He asked her about Hazrat Abu Bakr R.A and was surprised by her answer. She replied, “Allah knows better….. Honestly, I don’t even know his name. He comes to my home early in the morning, cleans my house, prepares food for me, and leaves. 

Later, when Hazrat Abu Bakr R.A passed away, Hazrat Umer R.A decided to take up the responsibility of the old woman.  

He went to her cottage, cleaned the house, prepared food for her, and brought some dates for her. She came up with a surprising question, “Has your friend passed away?” Hazrat Umer (R.A) was amused and asked, “How do you know?” She gave an amazing answer, “You brought dates for me but forgot to take out the seeds.” 

Hazrat Umer (R.A) fell on his knees and cried and said a memorable sentence. “O Abu Bakr! You made it difficult for all of us caliphs.”

These were the real heroes and caliphs of Islam. They represented the true way of ruling the state. They revealed the way to take care of the needs of society by their good deeds.