When Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) died and Abu Bakr became the caliph some Arabs renegade (reverted to disbelief) (Abu Bakr decided to declare war against them), `Umar, said to Abu Bakr, "How can you fight with these people although Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, 'I have been ordered (by Allah) to fight the people till they say: "None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and whoever said it then he will save his life and property from me except on trespassing the law (rights and conditions for which he will be punished justly), and his accounts will be with Allah.' " Abu Bakr said, "By Allah! I will fight those who differentiate between the prayer and the Zakat as Zakat is the compulsory right to be taken from the property (according to Allah's orders) By Allah! If they refuse to pay me even a she-kid which they used to pay at the time of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) . I would fight with them for withholding it" Then `Umar said, "By Allah, it was nothing, but Allah opened Abu Bakr's chest towards the decision (to fight) and I came to know that his decision was right."
Historical Context of Apostasy Wars
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari (1399, 1400) describes the critical period following the Prophet's demise when several Arab tribes attempted to renounce Islam and withhold Zakat, considering it merely a political tribute to Muhammad rather than an essential pillar of faith.
Scholarly Analysis of the Disagreement
Initially, Umar ibn al-Khattab questioned fighting those who professed the shahadah, citing the Prophet's instruction to combat polytheists until they testify to Allah's oneness. Abu Bakr demonstrated superior juristic insight by recognizing that abandoning Zakat constituted apostasy, not mere civil disobedience.
The classical scholars explain that Abu Bakr understood the interconnected nature of Islamic pillars - rejecting one essential obligation while claiming faith creates contradiction in religious commitment.
Legal Principles Derived
This hadith establishes that Zakat is not optional charity but an obligatory act of worship whose denial constitutes disbelief. The consensus of classical scholars holds that those who reject Zakat's obligation while knowing its established status apostatize from Islam.
Abu Bakr's stance illustrates the principle of defending Islamic obligations collectively - the preservation of religion takes precedence when core practices face abandonment.
Spiritual Significance
Umar's eventual recognition of divine inspiration in Abu Bakr's decision demonstrates how Allah guides His righteous servants in upholding religious truth. The episode exemplifies the wisdom in consulting knowledgeable companions while maintaining firmness in essential matters of faith.