Military Campaigns under Muhammad
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Main articles: Battle of Badr and Battle of Uhud
In 624 Abu Bakr was involved in the first battle between the Muslims and the Quraysh of Mecca, known as the Battle of Badr, but did not fight, instead acting as one of the guards of Muhammad's tent. In 625 he participated in the Battle of Uhud which ended in a rout by the majority of the Muslims. Before the battle begun, Abu Bakr's son Abdu'l-Rahman ibn Abu Bakr, who was still non-Muslim and was fighting from the side of the Quraysh, came forward and threw down a challenge for a duel. Abu Bakr accepted the challenge but was stopped by Muhammad. His son later converted to Islam and gained fame during the Muslim conquest of Syria as a fierce warrior.In the second phase of the battle, Khalid ibn al-Walid’s cavalry attacked the Muslims from behind, changing a Muslim victory to defeat. Many Muslim warriors fled from the battlefield due to fear or to plunder the spoils of war so did Abu Bakr, however he was among the first to return according to few Sunni Hadith. Ali Ibn Abi Talib was the only one who remained guarding Prophet Muhammad from the attacks of the Quraysh soldiers, majority of Shia and many Sunni Hadith agree to this. Criticisms of his lack-lustre military achievements in comparison with the extremely accomplised Ali should be put into context: Abu Bakr was a middle aged man during these battles, was not a soldier but a merchant by trade, and had never seen battle before - it may thus be unfair to directly compare him with Ali in this regard. In Sunni accounts during one such attack, two discs from Abu Bakr's shield penetrated into Muhammad's cheeks. Abu Bakr went forward with the intention of extracting these discs but Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah requested he leave the matter to him, losing his two incisors during the process. In these stories subsequently Abu Bakr, along with other companions, led Muhammad to a place of safety.[5]
[edit] Conflict with Jewish tribes
Later in the year Abu Bakr was a part of campaign again the Jewish tribe of Banu Nadir.In 627 he participated in the Battle of the Trench and also in the Invasion of Banu Qurayza.[5]
In 628 he participated in Treaty of Hudaybiyyah and was made one of the witnesses over the pact.[5]
In 628 he was a part of the Muslim campaign to Khaybar.
[edit] Military campaigns during final years of Muhammad
Main articles: Expedition of Amr ibn al-As, Conquest of Mecca, Battle of Hunayn, Siege of Ta'if, and Battle of Tabouk
In 629 Muhammad sent 'Amr ibn al-'As to Zaat-ul-Sallasal from where he called for reinforcements and Muhammad sent Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah. Commanding an army under him were Abu Bakr and Umar and they attacked and defeated the enemy.[34]In 630 when Muslim armies rushed for the Conquest of Mecca, Abu Bakr was a part of the army. Before the conquest of Mecca his father Uthman Abu Quhafa converted to Islam. In 630 he was part of Battle of Hunayn and Siege of Ta'if. He was part of the Muslim army in the campaign of Tabuk under Muhammad's command and he was reported to have given all his wealth for the preparation of this expedition.
In 631, Muhammad sent a delegation of three hundred Muslims from Medina to perform the Hajj according to the new Islamic way. Abu Bakr was appointed as the leader of the delegates in some Sunni accounts. If this version is correct Abu Bakr had thus the honor of being the first Amir-ul-Haj in the history of Islam. In 632 Abu Bakr followed Muhammad to Mecca for the farewell Hajj.
[edit] Military campaigns as commander
Main article: Expedition of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq
Abu Bakr also led 1 military campaign as commander, known as Expedition of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq,[35] which took place in Nejd, in July 628 AD,3rd Month 7AH, of the Islamic Calendar[35] Abu Bakr led a large platoon in Nejd on the order of Muhammad. Many were killed and taken as prisoner.[36] The Sunni Hadith collection, Sunan Abu Dawud mentions the event[37]
