No, Abu Bakr was not a Shia.
To understand this, we need to consider the differing perspectives of Sunni and Shia Muslims regarding Abu Bakr's role in early Islamic history.
Sunni vs. Shia Views on Abu Bakr
| Aspect | Sunni View | Shia View |
|---|---|---|
| Abu Bakr's Status | Revered as the first of the "rightly-guided caliphs" and the greatest individual after the prophets and messengers. | Considered an usurper of the caliphate and an enemy of the ahl al-bayt (the Prophet Muhammad's family). |
| Caliphate | Believe Abu Bakr was rightfully elected as the first caliph after the Prophet Muhammad's death. | Believe that Ali ibn Abi Talib, the Prophet Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law, was the divinely appointed successor to the Prophet. |
As the reference states, Sunni Muslims highly revere Abu Bakr, while Shia Muslims consider him an "usurper of the caliphate and an enemy of the ahl al-bayt." This fundamental difference in perspective makes it clear that Abu Bakr, from a Shia viewpoint, could not be considered a Shia himself. His actions are seen as directly opposing the rightful claim of Ali to the caliphate, a central tenet of Shia Islam.
