Abu Bakr and the Old Woman – An Inspiring Story

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said to Abu Bakr that he can enter from any door of Paradise he wishes because he completed all the virtues.

After Fajr prayer, Prophet Muhammad used to ask his companions:

Who fasted among you today?

Abu Bakr (Allah be pleased with him) replied:

“I did.”

He (the Prophet again) said:

Who among you followed a bier today?

Abu Bakr (Allah be pleased with him) replied:

“I did.”

He (the Prophet again) said:

Who among you fed a poor man today?

Abu Bakr (Allah he pleased with him) replied:

“I did.”

He (again) said:

Who among you visited an invalid today?

Abu Bakr (Allah be pleased with him) said:

“I did.”

Upon this the Messenger of Allah said:

Anyone in whom (these good deeds) are combined will certainly enter paradise. (See the full Hadith here)

Abu Bakr used to wake up for tahajjud, then he used to go out in Madinah to help the needy people. This shows the high rank of Abu Bakr in terms of actions.

The Story of Abu Bakr and the Old Woman

When Abu Bakr became a caliph, Umar used to see him going in a direction different from his house. One day, Umar started to follow him. He saw Abu Bakr visiting a house, he spent some time, and after the sun was up, he left the house.

Umar needed to inspect the matter. So, he knocked the door and an old lady opened up. She was so old, frail, and blind. He asked her:

“Who’s that visitor coming to you everyday?”

She said:

“I don’t know who he is! May Allah reward him. He cleans my house, swaps my clothes, and maybe he would cook some food for breakfast, then he leaves.”

Umar said:

“Does he do this everyday?”

She said:

“Yes everyday. May Allah bless this man.”

Umar said:

“Do you know who’s that man? He was the Caliph Abu Bakr.”

Source: Discover Islam