At the time when the Muslims were being mercilessly persecuted in Makkah Mukarramah and practising deen became extremely difficult, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) permitted the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) to emigrate to Abyssinia. Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was about to leave Makkah Mukarramah, when he met Ibnud Daghinah, one of the leaders of the Quraish. Ibnud Daghinah said to him, “O Abu Bakr! A man of your calibre should not leave this land and it does not befit the people of your land to remove you. You are renowned for earning and providing sustenance to those who are unable to earn for themselves, you uphold the rights of kinship, you carry the burdens of others (i.e. settling their debts and assisting them), you show hospitality to your guests and you are there for the people (aiding and assisting them) at the time of natural disasters and calamities (e.g. at the time of famine and drought).” (Saheeh Bukhaari #3905)

These noble and exceptional qualities which Ibnud Daghinah mentioned in praise of Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) were the very same qualities that Hazrat Khadeejah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) had mentioned when describing the blessed character of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) at the time when he received nubuwwah from Allah Ta‘ala. Hence, we see that through remaining in the mubaarak company of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), the colours of nubuwwah had rubbed onto him.