Mālik in al-Muwatta’ and elsewhere. Abū Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, walked beside his mount to see him off. Yazīd said to him: “Successor to the Messenger of Allah, either you must ride or I must dismount.” He replied: “You will not dismount, and I will not ride. I seek reward for these steps in the cause of Allah, Mighty and Majestic.”
‘Amr ibn al-‘Ās was also one of the commanders, as was Abū ‘Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrāh. Abū Bakr placed Khālid ibn al-Walīd over them because of his courage and effectiveness in jihad. When Abū Bakr died, ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb appointed Abū ‘Ubaydah commander over them all. ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb, may Allah be pleased with him, was stern in Allah’s cause, so he appointed Abū ‘Ubaydah because he was gentle. Abū Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, was gentle, whereas Khālid was stern towards the disbelievers. Thus, the gentle man appointed the stern man, and the stern man appointed the gentle man, so that a balance would be maintained. Each did what was most beloved to Allah Most High in his particular circumstances.
Our Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, is the most perfect of all creation. He was stern towards the disbelievers and hypocrites, and Allah Most High described him in terms of the most perfect religious laws, just as Allah Most High said in describing his community:
“Firm against the disbelievers, compassionate among themselves.”
He also said of them:
“Humble towards the believers, mighty against the disbelievers, striving in the cause of Allah and fearing no blame from anyone.”
It is established in the Sahīh:
“When the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, consulted his Companions about the captives of Badr, Abū Bakr advised him to accept ransom from them and release them, while ‘Umar advised him to have them beheaded. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: ‘Allah softens the hearts of some men for His sake until they become softer than cloth, and He makes the hearts of other men firm for His sake until they become harder than rock. Your likeness, Abū Bakr, is that of Abraham, Allah’s intimate friend, when he said: “Whoever follows me is indeed of me, and whoever