The earliest forerunners from among the al-muhājirūn (Emigrants) and the al-anṣār (Helpers) stand above the rest of the Companions.

The Exalted said:
“Those among you who spent and fought before the Conquest are not equal; they are higher in rank than those who spent and fought afterwards, yet to each Allah has promised the best reward.” ⦗Qur’an 57:10⦘

He also said:
“And the first forerunners from among the Emigrants and the Helpers, and those who follow them with excellence—Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him.” ⦗Qur’an 9:100⦘

The ‘earliest forerunners’ are those who spent and fought before the Conquest. The Conquest meant here is the treaty of al-Ḥudaybiyah, for it marked the beginning of the opening that led to the conquest of Mecca. Regarding it Allah revealed:
“Indeed, We have granted you a manifest conquest, so that Allah may forgive you your past and future sins.” ⦗Qur’an 48:1–2⦘

They asked, “Messenger of Allah, is this truly a conquest?” He replied, “Yes.”

The best of those earliest forerunners are the four Rightly Guided Caliphs, and the greatest of them is Abu Bakr, followed by ʿUmar. This is the position well known among the Companions and the Followers who succeeded them.