Silah bin Zufar رحمه الله reports:
When any person would make mention of Hazrat Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه in the presence of Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), then Hazrat ‘Ali رضي الله عنه would say, “He is the one who surpassed everyone. The Sahaabah رضوان الله عليهم أجمعين all regarded him as the one who went ahead of everyone.”
Hazrat ‘Ali رضى الله عنه then explained, “I take an oath by that Being in whose hand lies my life! Whenever we (the Sahaabah) competed in any good work, we found that Hazrat Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه preceded us and surpassed us in doing it.”
(Majma‘uz Zawaa’id #14332)
AN EMBODIMENT OF GOODNESS
عن أبي هريرة، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: «من أصبح منكم اليوم صائما؟» قال أبو بكر رضي الله عنه: أنا، قال: «فمن تبع منكم اليوم جنازة؟» قال أبو بكر رضي الله عنه: أنا، قال: «فمن أطعم منكم اليوم مسكينا؟» قال أبو بكر رضي الله عنه: أنا، قال: «فمن عاد منكم اليوم مريضا؟» قال أبو بكر رضي الله عنه: أنا، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: «ما اجتمعن في امرئ، إلا دخل الجنة (صحيح مسلم، الرقم: 1028)
On one occasion, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه وسلم enquired from the Sahaabah رضوان الله عليهم أجمعين, “Who amongst you is fasting today?” Hazrat Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه replied, “I am fasting today.”
Sayyiduna Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه وسلم then enquired, “Who amongst you has visited a sick person today?” Hazrat Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه replied, “I have visited a sick person today.”
Sayyiduna Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه وسلم further enquired, “Which of you has participated in a Janaazah today?” Hazrat Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه replied, “I have participated in a Janaazah today.”
Sayyiduna Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه وسلم then asked, “Which of you has fed a poor person today?” Hazrat Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه replied, “I have fed a poor person today.”
Thereafter, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “The one who possesses all these qualities will definitely enter Jannah.”
(SOURCE: IHYAAUDDEEN)
REFLECTIONS
The books of Seerat and Ahadith are filled with narrations and incidents highlighting the virtue and status of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه.
Those unfortunate ones who feel otherwise should consider the following Arabic saying:
لا يضر السحاب نباح الكلاب
Barking dogs cannot cause any harm to the clouds.
We make Dua that Allah Ta‘ala bless us with His love, the love for Rasulullah صلی الله عليه وسلم and the beloved Sahabah رضي الله عنهم. Ameen