Abu Bakr (RA) ,who was to become the best friend and companion of the prophet,  was born in Makkah.He was three years younger than the Prophet and both of them used to play together as children. As a child the prophet was very fond of his younger playmate. Soon they became good friends and spent lots of time together. Over the years their friendship grew stronger and stronger  and Abu Bakr (RA) remained the Prophet's closest companion till the end of his life.

    Abu Bakr (RA) was known far and wide for his good character.  He was honest and truthful as well as hardworking and fair in his dealings. He was extremely kind to all around him and always ready to help the poor and the sick. He was also very intelligent and his memory was legendary.  His knowledge of family histories going back for generations was amazing . This was something which was highly valued by the Arabs.

   When the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) began to receive the revelations,  Abu Bakr (RA) was the first person to believe in him after Khadija (RA), the Prophet's wife.He believed  in the truth of the Prophet's message and without any hesitation converted to Islam, the religion of peace.

     Abu Bakr (RA) was a very straightforward man. He did not want to hide his beliefs. So, from the very beginning, he made no secret of his conversion to Islam and his loyalty to the Prophet. Rather , he persuaded many influential and wealthy people of Makkah such as Utan bin Affan (RA), Abdur Rahman Bin Auf (RA), Sa'd bin Abi Waqqas and others to do so as well. All these men were highly regarded by the townspeople and proved to be a great asset to Islam.

      When the Prophet  received  his first revelation of the Quran, Abu Bakr was already  a rich and well known merchant. He was always ready to spend money for a good cause and once he became a Muslim, he would purchase and set free slaves who had accepted Islam and were being persecuted and tortured by their owners.

     When the Prophet told the people about his Miraj or the night journey, they ridiculed him but Abu Bakr did not doubt the Prophet  even for a moment.  He said :" I have never heard Muhammadh (saw) tell a lie, I believe in the everything he says". 

Thus he earned the title of al-siddiq or the Truthful.