Objection
Some Muslims maintain that Ameerul Momineen Ali b. Abi Talib (a.s.) had cordial relations with the rulers As proof, they allege that he (a.s.) named his son after Abu Bakr Ibn Abi Quhafaah. They claim – if Ali (a.s.) had any grievance against Abu Bakr – as the Shias claim – why would he (a.s.) name his son after him?
Reply
The son of Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) under question was martyred in Karbala. We will see that his name was NOT Abu Bakr as is being claimed in a five-point response to this myth
1. Why will Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) name his son after such a person
2. Salutations on the martyrs of Karbala ends the debate
3. Abu Bakr’s real name
4. If the daughter was not worthy, how can the father be worthy?
5. How the Muslims treated Abu Bakr, Muhammad Ibn Ali Ibn Abi Talib?
Back to Top1. Why will Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) name his son after such a person
Historians and scholars of both sects are unanimous that Abu Bakr was not particularly famous for his bravery.
On several occasions, he was only too ready, even pleased, to abandon the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) in the midst of enemies. Two occasions that come to mind as highlighted by the Holy Quran are the Battles of Uhud and Hunain, when he made good the escape, perhaps with the ulterior motive of ruling over the Muslims later. He also abandoned the Holy Prophet’s (s.a.w.a.) burial again with the sole intent of grabbing power as the furious negotiations in Saqifah bear testimony.
Even the company of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), whose mere presence is a shield against all difficulties, did not offer any comfort to Abu Bakr. He wept like a child inside the cave, while the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) was avoiding the infidels of Mecca during the migration to Medina. Had it not been for the Holy Prophet’s (s.a.w.a.) severe reprimand and the divine tranquility that descended on the Prophet (s.a.w.a.), it is likely that the infidels would have apprehended the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.) due to Abu Bakr’s weeping. Even the spider at the entrance of the cave displayed more common sense and courage.
The question Muslims must ask themselves – why would Ali b. Abi Talib (a.s.) the brave one who never wilted in battle and risked his life often all by himself – especially in Uhud and Hunain – name his son after such a person?
Particularly when you consider that this son, as also other sons Abbas, Jafar and Abdullah were created especially for Karbala. And the Karbala battle was a bigger test than Uhud and Hunain.
In view of this – is it still likely that Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) would name his son after the first ruler, who was not known for bravery and fortitude even in easier battles like Uhud and Hunain?
Back to Top2. Salutations on the martyrs of Karbala ends the debate
All doubts on the subject are erased on reciting the Ziyarat of martyrs of Karbala as instructed by Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.):
السَّلَامُ عَلَى أَبِي بَكْرٍ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ
‘Peace be upon Abu Bakr, Muhammad Ibn Ameerul Momineen.’
- Al-Mazaar p. 149 by Muhammad Ibn Makki (r.a.) Shaheed Awwal (r.a.)
According to Shaheed Awwal (r.a.), who is among the most renowned of Shia scholars, Abu Bakr was clearly the agnomen (kuniyyah) of Ameerul Momineen’s (a.s.) son, while his name was Muhammad.
The illustrious scholar Shaikh Abbas al-Qummi (r.a.) in his book – Nafas al-Mahmoom under the discussion of the martyrdom of the sons of Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) records:
‘His name is not known (his agnomen is Abu Bakr) while his mother was Layla, the daughter of Mas’ood Ibn Khalid.’
So clearly no one claims his name was Abu Bakr. There is unanimity in reports from various scholars like Shaheed al-Awwal (r.a.) and Shaikh Abbas al-Qummi (r.a.) that Abu Bakr was his agnomen and NOT his name.
The agnomen is different from the name. Name is given to the child, while agnomen is assumed by the child. It is likely from Shaheed’s assessment that his name was Muhammad and NOT Abu Bakr.
Back to Top3. Abu Bakr’s real name
It is unfortunate Muslims have taken a person as the ‘caliph’ without having certainty even about his name.
Abu Bakr’s name was Ateeq (freed slave).
- Al-Ehtejaaj vol.. 1 p. 206
Abu Bakr’s name is an indication of his ancestry and family occupation.
Interested readers can refer to:
- Tarikh Madinat Dimishq vol.. 66, p. 327
- Al-Kafi 8, p. 33
This means that even if Ameerul Momineen’s (a.s.) son was named Abu Bakr (which we have disproved), it was clearly not linked to the ‘caliph’ since that was never his name in the first place.
Do these Muslims have any instance of Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) naming his son ‘Ateeq’ – the real name of Abu Bakr?
4. If the daughter was not worthy, how can the father be worthy?
Those who are out to establish some link between Abu Bakr and the Ahle Bait (a.s.) through the name argument are not particularly familiar with traditions on the subject.
Sample this report –
Ya’qoob al-Sarraaj narrates: I came to Imam Sadiq (a.s.) while he was standing near the head of Imam Moosa Kazim (a.s.), who was in the cradle.
He (Imam Sadiq a.s.) was confiding in him for long.
I sat down till he was finished. Then I went to him (a.s.).
He (a.s.) said to me: Come close to your master and greet him.
I drew near him and saluted him. He (a.s.) replied (to my salutation) eloquently and said, “Go and change your daughter’s name, the one you christened yesterday. For surely it is a name, despised by Allah.”
A daughter was born to me and I had named her Al-Humaira (a demeaning nickname of the Prophet’s (s.a.w.a.) wife).
Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said – Conclude the matter as you have been guided.
Then I changed her name.
- Kaafi vol. 1 p. 310, vol. 2 p. 70
- Wasaail al-Shia vol. 21 p. 389
- Kitaab al-Irshaad vol. 2 p. 219
- Madinah al-Ma’ajiz vol. 6 p. 224
- Manaaqib-o-Aale Abi Talib (a.s.) vol. 4 p. 288
Clearly, when this is the case with the daughter’s name, what can one say about the father!
Back to Top5. How the Muslims treated Abu Bakr, Muhammad Ibn Ali Ibn Abi Talib?
These Muslims who go all out to prove a connection between Ameerul Momineen’s (a.s.) son and Abu Bakr Ibn Abi Quhafah must reflect for a moment on how the Muslims have treated this son of Ali (a.s.) i.e. Muhammad Ibn Ali Ibn Abi TaliIb. Assume for a moment that Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) has named him after Abu Bakr. Has this fact changed anything for these Muslims? Will they now condemn Yazid for killing this son of Ali (a.s.) supposedly named after Abu Bakr Ibn Abi Quhafah? How will these Muslims face Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) and Allah’s Prophet (s.a.w.a.) for treating Muhammad Ibn Ali Ibn Abi Talib in this way and for elevating the status of his killers?
Clearly, there is no merit in the argument of the Muslims hell bent on proving that Ali (a.s.) loved the rulers so much that he named his sons after them. Wild assumptions and fantasies cannot hide the blunders of the rulers and the anger of the Ahle Bait (a.s.) towards them.