Abu Bakr (ra) was given many names or titles throughout his life, and each one of them points to one or more of his superior qualities; among those names are the following:
- Al-‘Ateeq
Al-‘Ateeq has various shades of meaning in Arabic: It can mean old or ancient; noble; or someone who has been freed either from the bonds of slavery or from some unpleasant circumstances. Some feel that Abu Bakr (ra) was named ‘Ateeq based on the latter meaning, for the Prophet ﷺ once said to him, “You are the ‘Ateeq (the freed one) of Allah from the Hellfire.” According to the wording of ‘Aaisha’s narration, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to Abu Bakr (ra), “Rejoice, for you are the ‘Ateeq of Allah from the Hellfire.”
Certain historians are of the view that Abu Bakr (ra) was named ‘Ateeq because of the handsomeness or the nobleness of his features. And yet others say that he was named ‘Ateeq later on in his life because he was known for his goodness for a very long time (this is based on ‘Ateeq’s meaning of old or ancient). It has also been said that, whenever Abu Bakr’s mother had a child, he or she would die almost immediately. But then when Abu Bakr (ra) was born, the same was not the case, and so his mother said about him, “O Allah, this (child) is your freed one from death, so favor me with him.” It is possible that Abu Bakr (ra) was named ‘Ateeq for more than one of the aforementioned reasons, for he did have a noble countenance; he was known for his good character for many years; and he was Allah’s freed one from the Hellfire.”
- As-Siddeeq
Abu Bakr (ra) was named As-Siddeeq because of his constant and unwavering belief in the Prophet ﷺ. ‘Aaisha (ra) said, “(The night) after the Prophet ﷺ went on his night journey to Al-Masjid AI-Aqsa, the people began to talk about it (being in doubt about the possibility of the Prophet ﷺ being able to travel to and from Jerusalem in a single night). Some people apostatized (on that day), having previously believed in the Prophet ﷺ and having had faith in him. A number of men went to Abu Bakr and said, ‘Will you not go to your companion? He claims that he went on a night journey last night to Jerusalem!’ He (ra) responded, ‘And did he indeed say that?’ They said, ‘Yes.’ He (ra) said, ‘If he said that, then he spoke the truth.’ They said, ‘And do you truly believe him when he says that he traveled to Jerusalem last night and returned just before the beginning of this morning?’ He (ra) said, ‘Yes, I do indeed believe him about matters that are even more amazing than that: I believe him about news (i.e., revelation) that comes to him from the heavens in the early morning or in the afternoon.’ And it is because of this incident that he was named Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq.”
- As-Saahib
“As-Saahib” literally means “the Companion,” a title that Allah (SWT) gave to Abu Bakr (ra) in the Noble Qur’an. Allah gave him that title because he was the Prophet’s companion in the cave during their migration to Al-Madeenah. Allah (SWT) said:
إِلَّا تَنصُرُوهُ فَقَدْ نَصَرَهُ ٱللَّهُ إِذْ أَخْرَجَهُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ ثَانِىَ ٱثْنَيْنِ إِذْ هُمَا فِى ٱلْغَارِ إِذْ يَقُولُ لِصَحِبِهِۦ لَا تَحْزَنْ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَنَا ۖ فَأَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ سَكِينَتَهُۥ عَلَيْهِ وَأَيَّدَهُۥ بِجُنُودٍۢ لَّمْ تَرَوْهَا وَجَعَلَ كَلِمَةَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ ٱلسُّفْلَىٰ ۗ وَكَلِمَةُ ٱللَّهِ هِىَ ٱلْعُلْيَا ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ
“If you help him (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) not (it does not matter), for Allâh did indeed help him when the disbelievers drove him out, the second of the two; when they (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم and Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه) were in the cave, he (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said to his companion (Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه): “Be not sad (or afraid), surely Allâh is with us.” Then Allâh sent down His Sakînah (calmness, tranquillity, peace) upon him, and strengthened him with forces (angels) which you saw not, and made the word of those who disbelieved the lowermost, while the Word of Allâh that became the uppermost; and Allâh is All-Mighty, All-Wise.” (Qur’an 9:40)
Scholars unanimously agree that “his companion” in this Verse refers to Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq (ra). Anas (ra) reported that Abu Bakr (ra) once said to him, “While the Prophet ﷺ was in the cave (with me), I said to him, ‘If one of them were to look at his feet, he would see us from underneath his feet.’ The Prophet ﷺ said, ‘O Abu Bakr, what would you think about (the safety and well-being) of two (people) when Allah is the third among them?’”
- Al-Atqaa
Al-Atqaa means the pious and righteous ones. In the following Verse, Al-Atqaa refers primarily to Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq (ra):
وَسَيُجَنَّبُهَا ٱلْأَتْقَى
“And Al-Muttaqun (the pious and righteous) will be far removed from it (Hell).” (Qur’an 92:17)
That Al-Atqaa in this Verse refers to Abu Bakr (ra) is a matter that we will further clarify (In Sha Allah) in our discussion of those Muslims who were tortured and whose freedom was purchased by Abu Bakr (ra).
- Al-Awwaah
There are at least two possible meanings of the word Al-Awwaah. It can mean someone who supplicates to Allah (SWT) a great deal, and it can also mean someone who is merciful and soft-hearted. Ibraaheem An-Nakha’ee said, “Abu Bakr was named Al-Awwaah because of his compassion and mercy (towards other people).”
[The Biography of Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq by Ali al-Sallabi, p.28-33.]
