Abu Bakr

From Autas the Muslim forces set out for Ta'if. According to Sunnis all of these show the virtue of Abu Bakr and his being the rightful successor. At Tabuk the standard of the army was entrusted to Abu Bakr.

Though the period of his caliphate was not long it included successful invasions of the two most powerful empires of the time a remarkable achievement in its own right. As a young man Abu Bakr became a merchant and he traveled extensively in Arabia and neighboring lands in the Middle East through which he gained both wealth and experience. Abu Bakr's Caliphate lasted for a little over two years (or 27 months) ending with his death after an illness.