or Abu-Becr, the first caliph, the immediate successor of Mahomet, and one of his first converts. His original name was Abdullaah, signifying, servant of the caaba or temple, which, after his conversion to Mahometanism, was changed to Abdallah, servant of God; and on the marriage of the prophet with his daughter Ayisha, he received the appellation of Abu-Becr, Father of the virgin. Illustrious by his family, and possessed of immense wealth, his influence and example were powerful means of propagating the faith he had adopted, and in gaining converts to the new religion. Abubeker was a sound believer, and although he lived in the greatest familiarity with Mahomet, he had always the highest veneration for his character. He vouched for the truth of his revelations after his nightly visits to heaven, and thus obtained the appellation of the faithful. He was employed in every mission of trust or importance, was the constant friend of the prophet, and when he was forced to fly from Mecca, was his only companion. But notwithstanding his blind devotion to Mahometanism, his moderation and prudence were conspicuous in checking the fanatical zeal of the disciples of the new religion, on the death of Mahomet. This event threatened destruction to the doctrines of Islamism. Its followers could not doubt that it had taken place, and they were afraid to believe it. In this uncertainty and fluctuation of belief, Omar drew his sword, and threatened to cut in pieces all who dared to assert that the prophet was dead. Abubeker, with more coolness and wisdom, addressed the people, It is, says he, Mahomet whom you adore, or the God whom he has revealed to you? Know that this God is alone immortal, and that all those whom he has created are subject to death. Appealed and reconciled by this speech, they elected him successor to Mahomet, and he assumed the modest title of caliph, which has continued with all his successors. Ali, the son-in-law of the prophet, regarding the elevation of Abubeker as a violation of his legal rights to the succession, refused at first to recognize the appointment, till he was forced by threats into compliance and submission. His partisans, however, still considered him as the legitimate successor, and their opinion has prevailed among many Muslims, who believe that the sovereign authority, both spiritual and temporal, remains with his descendants.

The first part of the reign of Abubeker was unsettled and turbulent. Many of his subjects returned to idolatry, some embraced Christianity, new impostors arose. Seduced by the example of Mahomet, they were dazzled with the hope of power and distinction, and were thus led on to destruction. He alone was received as the true prophet, all others were false. Abubeker, with the assistance of Caled, an able general, soon reduced to submission and obedience, or punished with death, all those who disputed or resisted his authority. Tranquillity being established at home, he sent out his armies, under the same general, to propagate the Mahometan faith in Syria, which, after a bloody battle, was compelled to submit to a new power, and to adopt a new religion. Damascus was afterwards besieged; and on the very day that it surrendered and opened its gates to his victorious arms, Abubeker expired, in the 13th year of the Hegira.

The public conduct of this caliph was marked by prudence, equity, and moderation. Mild and simple in his manners, frugal in his fare, he discovered great indifference to riches and honours. Such was his liberality to the poor and to his soldiery, that he bestowed on them the whole of his revenue. The treasury being on this account quite exhausted at his death, made Omar say, "that he had left a difficult example for his successors to follow." A short time before his death, he dictated his will in the following words: "This is the will of Abubeker, which he dictated at the moment of his departure from this world: At this moment when the infidel shall believe, when the impious shall no longer doubt, and liars shall speak truth, I name Omar for my successor. Musulmans, hear his voice, and obey his commands. If he rule justly, he will confirm the good opinion which I have conceived of him; but if he deviate from the paths of equity, he must render an account before the tribunal of the sovereign judge. My thoughts are upright, but I cannot see into futurity. In a word, they who do evil, shall not always escape with impunity." Abubeker first collected and digested the revelations of Mahomet, which had hitherto been preserved in detached fragments, or in the memories of the Musulman believers; and to this the Arabians gave the appellation Almujaffif, or the Book. The first copy was deposited in the hands of Hafifa, the daughter of Omar and the widow of Mahomet.