Islamic history was distinguished by some of its leaders; some conquered countries and commanded armies, whilst others represented its rulers; these men, despite the importance of the responsibility assigned to them, were in the prime of their youth.
They were not over the age of thirty, and this demonstrates the role of young people in the movement of religion and social reform.
Muhammad B. Abi Bakr was made the governor of Egypt. It was considered the greatest state in the Islamic Commonwealth, by the extent of its lands and resources, the large population and the importance of its location; it needed a ordered government.
Muhammad B. Abi Bakr’s mother was Asma, daughter of Amis, and wife of Jafar al-Tayyar before she married his father, Abi Bakr.
He was born in the year 10 Hijri, however his father died a few years later and then Imam Ali married his mother Asma. Muhammad was raised in the house of Imam Ali as one of his own sons; indeed, he as known as Imam Ali's stepson. Muhammad went with Imam Ali to Iraq, and fought in the Battle of the Camel, he was also at the Battle of Siffeen with the Imam. He was appointed governor of Egypt by Imam Ali. But, at the instigation of Muawiyah, he was killed in Egypt in 38 A.H. by the Ummayad sympathisers.
Although Muhammad B. Abi Bakr’s shrine is located in the old part of Cairo and is administered by the Egyptian government, the mosque and shrine are not well maintained. The mosque and the shrine of Muhammad are located in a narrow road that, unfortunately, is also not well maintained in terms of cleanliness. Curiously, what separates the shrine from the remains of the Church of Saint George is simply a bridge. When one crosses the bridge into the Church of Saint George, one finds that it is well maintained and very neat and tidy, unlike the narrow old path to the shrine.
This situation provoked the caretaker of the mosque and shrine, Sheikh Salih, to constantly ask officials in the district in which the mosque is located to take steps to ensure that visitors feel they are entering a distinctive architectural landmark, by cleaning and administering it. Saleh says, Unfortunately, one of the officials does not care about this shrine despite its unique architecture and history.
There seems to be a deliberate forgetfulness on the matter of the shrine because on the anniversary of the birth of Muhammad B. Abi Bakr no celebrations are held there. However, many Muslims from around the world still come to the shrine and recite Surah Fatiha for his soul. They also sprinkle perfumes and decorate the shrine for the anniversary.