4.) Aaishah RadhiAllaahu Anhuma narrates that on one occasion when the eighty three companions of Rasulullaah SallAllaahu Alayhi Wasallam got together, Abu Bakr RadhiAllaahu Anhu insistently asked Rasulullaah SallAllaahu Alayhi Wasallam for permission to preach Islaam openly.
Rasulullaah SallAllaahu Alayhi Wasallam said, “O Abu Bakr! We are too few.”

However, Abu Bakr RadhiAllaahu Anhu continued insisting until Rasulullaah SallAllaahu Alayhi Wasallam gave the permission. The Muslims then scattered in different areas of the Masjidul Haraam, each one taking a place amongst his tribesmen.

Abu Bakr RadhiAllaahu Anhu then stood up to deliver a sermon as Rasulullaah SallAllaahu Alayhi Wasallam remained seated. This was the very first public sermon dedicated to inviting people towards Allaah Jalla Jalaalahoo and His Rasul SallAllaahu Alayhi Wasallam.

The polytheists then attacked Abu Bakr RadhiAllaahu Anhu and the Muslims and wherever they were in the Masjidul Haraam, they were beaten very severely. Abu Bakr RadhiAllaahu Anhu was trampled and beaten most savagely.

The wretched Utba ibn Rabee’ah started hitting Abu Bakr RadhiAllaahu Anhu with his shoes that had a sole stuck onto another (making them thick and hard). He hit Abu Bakr RadhiAllaahu Anhu so much and also jumped on his stomach that the soles actually twisted and the nose of Abu Bakr RadhiAllaahu Anhu could not be told apart from his face.

The Banu Taym tribe (to which Abu Bakr RadhiAllaahu Anhu belonged) came running and pushed the polytheists away from Abu Bakr RadhiAllaahu Anhu. They then carried him in a sheet and took him home. By then, they were convinced that he would die.

The Banu Taym then returned to the Masjidul Haraam and announced, “By Allaah! We shall definitely kill Utba ibn Rabee’ah if Abu Bakr dies!”
Thereafter, they returned to Abu Bakr RadhiAllaahu Anhu and together with (his father) Abu Quhaafa, they started talking to Abu Bakr RadhiAllaahu Anhu to get him to respond.

Abu Bakr RadhiAllaahu Anhu finally spoke after the day had passed and asked, “How is Rasulullaah SallAllaahu Alayhi Wasallam?”
His people rebuked and criticised him. They then stood up (to leave) and said to (his mother) Ummul Khayr, “Take care of him and give him something to eat or drink.”

When his mother was alone with him, she insisted that he eat, but he kept asking, “How is Rasulullaah SallAllaahu Alayhi Wasallam?”
She said, “I swear by Allaah that I have no knowledge about your friend.”
He said, “Go and ask Ummu Jameel bint Khattaab about Rasulullaah SallAllaahu Alayhi Wasallam.”
His mother left to meet Ummu Jameel and asked her, “Abu Bakr wants to know from you about Muhammad ibn Abdillaah.”
Ummu Jameel responded by saying, “I neither know Abu Bakr nor Muhammad ibn Abdillaah. However, if you like, I shall go with you to see your son.”
Ummul Khayr agreed and Ummu Jameel accompanied her until they came to Abu Bakr RadhiAllaahu Anhu who was lying down (unable to even sit) and extremely ill.
Coming closer, Ummu Jameel RadhiAllaahu Anhuma cried, “By Allaah! Those who did this to you must be people of kufr and sin! I hope that Allaah takes revenge from them on your behalf.”

Abu Bakr RadhiAllaahu Anhu then asked, “How is Rasulullaah SallAllaahu Alayhi Wasallam?”
Ummu Jameel said, “Your mother is listening.”
He said, “You have nothing to fear from her.”
She then replied, “Rasulullaah SallAllaahu Alayhi Wasallam is safe and sound.”
“Where is he?”
Abu Bakr RadhiAllaahu Anhu asked further. Ummu Jameel said, “He is in the house of Arqam.”
Abu Bakr RadhiAllaahu Anhu vowed, “I swear by Allaah that I shall neither eat nor drink until I go to Rasulullaah SallAllaahu Alayhi Wasallam.”

The two ladies then waited for a time (late at night) when the movement of people had calmed down and people were resting. Giving him support, they then took him to Rasulullaah SallAllaahu Alayhi Wasallam. (When he saw Abu Bakr RadhiAllaahu Anhu) Rasulullaah SallAllaahu Alayhi Wasallam hugged him and kissed him.
The other Muslims also hugged him and (seeing his battered condition) Rasulullaah SallAllaahu Alayhi Wasallam took great pity on him.

Abu Bakr RadhiAllaahu Anhu said, “May my parents be sacrificed for you, O Rasulullaah SallAllaahu Alayhi Wasallam! There is nothing wrong with me except for what that wretch did to my face. This is my mother who has been exceptionally good to me. You are a most blessed person, so invite her towards Allaah and pray for her. Perhaps Allaah shall use you to save her from the Fire of Jahannam.”
Rasulullaah SallAllaahu Alayhi Wasallam then made duaa for her and invited her to believe in Allaah. She then accepted Islaam.

For a month, the Muslims who numbered thirty-nine individuals stayed with Rasulullaah SallAllaahu Alayhi Wasallam in that house. Hamza ibn Abdil Muttalib RadhiAllaahu Anhu (the uncle of Rasulullaah SallAllaahu Alayhi Wasallam) accepted Islaam on the day that Abu Bakr RadhiAllaahu Anhu was beaten up.
(Seeratun-Nabawiyyah of Ibn Katheer vol.1 page 439, Seerat-Al-Halabiyyah vol. 1 page 418)

مَوْلَاىَ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِمًا أَبَداً  عَلىٰ حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ كُلِّهِمِ