2. Abu Bakra

Known by kunya Abu Bakra (Ibn Hajar, al Isaba, VI, p. 369), Nufay ibn Haris al Masruh was from East Africa (Ethiopia) (Ibn Abdilberr, Istiab, IV, p. 1530).

His mother, Sumayya, was a concubine of Haris ibn Kalada, a famous Arab doctor (Asri Cubukcu "Ebu Bekre", D.I.A., X, p. 114). He was also the brother of Ziad ibn Abih, the son of al Muawiya (Ibn al Asir, ibid., IV, p. 578).

He became Muslim and joined the Muslim army during the siege of Taif; he escaped the castle of Taif when he heard the declaration of Prophet Muhammad: "Those freemen who will join us will be safe, and those slaves who will join us will be set free". He received his kunya Abu Bakra, while escaping from Taif (Ibn Sa'd, Tabaqat, VII, p. 15; Dhahabi, Siyar, III, p. 16).

After the siege ended, an envoy from Taif came to Prophet Muhammad to ask him to return Abu Bakra to them. The Prophet refused to do this, saying that "He has been emancipated by Allah and his Messenger!" (Dhahabi, Siyar, III, pp. 5-6).

A scholar of fiqh and a person who was very fond of worshipping Allah, Abu Bakra later became one of the leading companions of the Prophet. He was very sensitive about following the Prophet's sunnah as well (Ibn Sa'd, Ibid., VII, p. 16; Dhahabi, Siyar, III, p. 6).

Though his close friends were involved in politics, he always remained distant from political matters and did not get involved in the incidents of instigation (fitna) that occurred after the death of Prophet Muhammad. When his brother, Ziad ibn Abih, was appointed as governor of Basra, Abu Bakra told him to refuse the job; but when Ziad did not listen to him, he was sad and did not talk to him for the rest of his life (Ibn Sa'd, Ibid., VII, p. 16).

Abu Bakra had about 20 children; many of his children were leading members of the community in Basra and were involved in trade, scholarship and administration (Ibn al Asir, Usd al Ghabe, V, p. 38).

In the Musnad by Ahmad ibn Hanbal, three hadiths were reported by him (Ahmad ibn Hanbal, V, pp. 35-52).

Abu Bakra died in Basra in the year 51 or 52 (AH), when his brother was the governor of Basra, during the reign of Muawiya (Dhahabi, Siyar, III, p. 9).