As for Abu Bakr: during the period of his being a Muslim, we do not find
any precedence for him in Jihad, prominence in good morals, initiative in
worship or steadfastness.
Expertise in the science of exegesis
In this science, nothing remarkable is reported from him. Books of exegesis
and traditions are before your eyes. You may sift through them, but you will not
find anything, which would quench the thirst of the thirsty one, or fulfill the
needs of a needy person.
Yes, regarding him and his friend, Umar bin Khattab, it is narrated that they
were unaware of the term ‘Abb’,1 which every Arab of pure descent, even
Bedouins know its meaning.
If you are amazed at this, amazement is for those, who are inclined to him,2
and they have presented justifications for him that he exercised precaution in
commenting on Quran and that is why he restrained from guessing the meaning
of ‘Abb’ and that he resorted to extreme caution!
But every sane individual understands that it is obligatory to observe
precaution in explaining the objective of Holy Quran and specifying details,
concise explanation, and exegesis of ambiguous, and things like that on which it
is prohibited to express the view quickly, without information and research.
As for the meaning of Arabic words from one, who has grown up in Arabia,
what precaution prevented him that he should understand, in spite of knowing its
meaning?
Just suppose this person does not know the complete language of his
community; but in the verse following:
مَتَـٰعًۭا لَّكُمْ وَلِأَنْعَـٰمِكُمْ (٣٣)
“A provision for you and for your cattle.”3
…is mentioned the explanation of ‘fakiha’ and ‘abb’. That he may
understand that the meaning of the verse is: Allah, the Mighty and the High has
advised people on fruits, which they eat and the grass, which quadrupeds benefit
from; thus their diet is fruits and the diet of animals is grass [and ‘abb’ is in the
meaning of grasses].
Abu Ubaidah has narrated from Ibrahim Teemi: Abu Bakr was asked about the words of Almighty Allah:
وَفَـٰكِهَةًۭ وَأَبًّۭا (٣١)
“And fruits and herbage”4
He said: Which sky would shade on me and which land would carry me and
where should I go and what should I do if I say a letter opposed to Book of God
and what Almighty Allah has intended?”5