Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) developed a close friendship with Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) during a business trip to Syria. At that time, Abu Bakr was 18 years old, and the Prophet (PBUH) was 20 years old.
During this journey, they stopped to rest near a jujube (wild berry) tree along the way. While Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) went to meet a Christian monk who lived nearby, the Prophet (PBUH) sat under the shade of the tree.
The monk asked Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA), “Who is that man sitting under the tree?”
Abu Bakr replied, “He is Muhammad, the son of Abdullah, the son of Abdul Muttalib.”
Hearing this, the monk said, “By God! He is a Prophet. No one has ever sat under this tree since Prophet Jesus (AS). He is going to be the final Prophet.”
Accepting Islam and His Prayers
When Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) reached the age of 40 and received his prophethood from God, Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) readily accepted Islam.
Two years later, when Abu Bakr turned 40 himself, he made this beautiful prayer to God: “O my Lord! Guide me so that I can thank You for the blessings You have given to me and to my parents.”
Hazrat Ali (RA) states:
“Among all the people who migrated for God (Muhajireen), no one else had the unique honor of having both their mother and father accept Islam, except for Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA).”
Hazrat Abu Bakr’s (RA) second prayer was for his children to guide them on the right path. Because of his prayer, his children also accepted Islam and became good Muslims.