Abu Bakr

Timeline

1. c. 573–610Mecca · HejazIn Mecca he traded in cloth and camels, winning renown for honesty and generosity; he became Muhammad's close friend and, through his daughter Aisha, was linked by marriage to the Prophet's family.
2. 610–622Mecca · HejazBy tradition the first adult male convert to Islam, during the Meccan persecutions he ransomed and sheltered persecuted believers and repeatedly accompanied Muhammad in preparations for the migration, becoming one of the Prophet's most trusted advisers.
3. 622–632Medina · HejazAfter the Hijra he helped build the Muslim community in Medina, serving as acting commander at Badr, Uhud, and other battles and at times financing the equipping of armies. During Muhammad's final illness he led the congregation in prayer in the Prophet's stead, showing his central religious and political standing.
4. 632–634Medina · HejazChosen as caliph at the assembly of Saqifah, he suppressed the Ridda wars to preserve the unity of the Arabian Peninsula, dispatched armies toward Syria and Iraq, and ordered the collection of the Quran's suras. He died of illness after a reign of a little over two years, designating Umar as his successor.