Sayyiduna wa Mawlana-l Imam Abu Bakr as-Siddiq was born in Mecca in 573CE. He was the first caliph, the father-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace), and one of the closest companions of the Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace). Many Sufi poets refer to him as the "Friend of the Cave," referring to an incident when he accompanied the Prophet (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace) on the dangerous journey from Mecca to Medina. The two fled Mecca, followed by a group from the Quraysh with ill intent, and sought refuge in a cave. Allah caused a spider to spin a web across the mouth of the cave and birds to nest there, leading the pursuers to believe that no one could possibly have entered the cave without disturbing these creatures and destroying their homes. While the pursuers were at the mouth of the cave, Imam Abu Bakr as-Siddiq was repeatedly stung by a scorpion, causing him significant pain. Rather than cry out, Imam Abu Bakr as-Siddiq refrained from making a noise and even caught his tears to minimise the possibility that the pursuers be alerted to someone in the cave due to the sound of his tears hitting the ground. This image of the "Friend of the Cave" became a model of dedication and love of the Prophet (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace), a spiritual state lauded and prized by many. Once, Imam Abu Bakr as-Siddiq donated all his wealth for the sake of Allah. When the Prophet (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace) heard this he asked him what he had left for his family, to which he was replied "Allah and His Prophet." As Caliph, Imam Abu Bakr as-Siddiq was instrumental in preserving the Qur'an, appointing a committee, headed by Zayd ibn Thabit, to collect all verses of the book and then verify them. Imam Abu Bakr as-Siddiq died in 13AH/634CE in Medina and is buried by the side of the Prophet Muhammad's (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace) grave.