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Salam School · Lesson plans · Seerah & Companions

⭐ Lesson plan · Stories of the Companions

The Cave and the Friend: Abu Bakr (ra)

By the end of this lesson, children can retell the story of the cave of Thawr, explain why Abu Bakr (ra) is called As-Siddiq, and name what loyal friendship looks like in their own lives.

Companions track (8 stories) Big Questions guide

Before you teach

The verse at the heart of this lesson — Allah ﷻ describes the cave moment and quotes the Prophet's ﷺ words to his companion:

"Do not grieve; indeed, Allah is with us."
Quran 9:40

Story beats to have at your fingertips:

  • As-Siddiq: when told of the Night Journey, Abu Bakr (ra) said, "If he said it, it is true" — instant, complete trust.
  • The Hijrah: the Prophet ﷺ and Abu Bakr (ra) left Makkah at night and sheltered in the cave of Thawr for three nights while searchers hunted them.
  • The worry and the answer: seeing the searchers' feet at the cave mouth, Abu Bakr (ra) whispered, "If one of them looks down, he will see us" — and heard: "What do you think of two, when Allah is their third?" (Sahih al-Bukhari 3651).

Tell this as a story, not a lecture: lower your voice at the cave mouth, and let the children feel the hush before the famous answer.

The lesson

  1. 1

    Hook — the journey question 4 min

    "Imagine you had to leave home tonight on a long, dangerous journey — and you could take exactly ONE friend. Who would you choose, and why?" Take answers. "The Prophet ﷺ chose Abu Bakr. By the end of today, you'll know exactly why."
  2. 2

    Tell — the cave of Thawr 10 min

    Tell the story in three scenes, pausing for predictions at each cliff edge:

    • Scene 1 — the instant believer: the Night Journey report and Abu Bakr's (ra) answer. Ask: what kind of friend believes you like that?
    • Scene 2 — the night journey: the secret departure, the cave, Abu Bakr's (ra) daughter Asma (ra) bringing food tied in her belt. Ask: what would you pack for a friend in hiding?
    • Scene 3 — feet at the cave mouth: the whisper, the fear, and the answer — read Quran 9:40's words slowly, twice.
  3. 3

    Activity — pack for the journey 10 min

    In pairs, children draw or list a "Hijrah backpack" for helping a friend on a hard journey: three practical things (food, water, a warm blanket) and three heart things (courage, patience, dua). Share and compare — notice how Abu Bakr (ra) brought both: provisions AND unshakeable trust. Home setting: build a blanket-fort "cave" and retell scene 3 inside it.

  4. 4

    Play & practise 6 min

    Open the Stories of the Companions track and complete the Abu Bakr (ra) lesson together — flashcards plus the three-question quiz. Children then meet Khadijah, Umar, Bilal, Hamza, Aisha, Salman, and Ali (ra) in the remaining stories.

✅ Check for understanding — ask these three

  • "Why is Abu Bakr (ra) called As-Siddiq?" → He confirmed the truth instantly — he always believed the Prophet ﷺ.
  • "What did the Prophet ﷺ say in the cave?" → "Do not grieve; indeed, Allah is with us" (Quran 9:40).
  • "Name one thing a loyal friend does." → Believes you, stands by you in hard times, helps quietly, makes dua for you.

🌱 Make it easier (ages 4–5)

One scene only (the cave), told inside a blanket fort with a torch. One sentence to remember: "Allah is with us." Draw the cave and the two friends.

🌿 Make it deeper (ages 9–12)

Read all of Quran 9:40 together and find how Allah refers to Abu Bakr (ra) — simply "his companion." Discuss: what does it mean that the Quran honoured him without even needing his name? Then research Asma bint Abi Bakr (ra), "she of the two belts."