the following year. Concerning this, He revealed:

“A sacred month for a sacred month, and violations of sanctity are subject to retribution.”

All of this preceded the conquest of Mecca. Whoever supposes that Sūrat al-Fath was revealed after the conquest of Mecca is plainly mistaken.

The point is that those who accompanied him before the victory enjoyed a distinction in companionship that entitled them to precedence over those who came afterwards. He even said to Khālid:

“Do not revile my Companions.”

For they had accompanied him before Khālid and others like him did. Abū Bakr al-Siddīq—may Allah be pleased with him—enjoyed a distinction in companionship that set him apart from all the other Companions. Accordingly, the Prophet singled him out in the authentic hadith narrated by al-Bukhārī from Abū al-Dardā’:

“Abū Bakr and ‘Umar had an exchange of words. Abū Bakr asked ‘Umar to seek forgiveness for him, but ‘Umar refused. Abū Bakr came to the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—and told him what had happened. Then ‘Umar regretted it and went looking for Abū Bakr at his house. He was told that Abū Bakr was with the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace. When ‘Umar arrived, the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—became angry on Abū Bakr’s behalf and said: ‘O people, I came to you and said, “I am Allah’s Messenger to you.” You said, “You are lying,” whereas Abū Bakr said, “You speak the truth.” Will you then leave my companion alone for my sake? Will you then leave my companion alone for my sake?’”

No one mistreated him after that. Here, he singled him out by calling him his companion, just as the Quran singled him out in the words of Allah Most High: