Likewise, the Prophet’s words—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—to his friend:

“Indeed, Allah is with us,”

indicate that Allah loves and approves of what they both did, and that He supports, assists, and aids them.

This explicitly shows that al-Siddīq (the Truthful One) shared with the Prophet in Allah’s being with them in this way—a distinction unique to al-Siddīq, in which no other created being shared with him.

The point here is that the Prophet’s words—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—to Abū Bakr, “Indeed, Allah is with us,” refer to Allah’s being with them in a special way, indicating that He supports, strengthens, and assists them against their enemies. Thus, the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—was declaring: “Allah supports me and supports you, O Abū Bakr, against our enemies, and helps us against them.”

It is well known that Allah’s support expresses honour and love, as He, the Most High, says:

“Indeed, We will support Our messengers and those who believe during the life of this world.” [Surah Ghāfir: 51]

This is the highest praise of Abū Bakr, for it indicates that he was among those whose faith the Messenger attested to—a faith that entails Allah’s support for him alongside His Messenger (1). It also includes the Messenger’s testimony to the completeness of his faith, which entails Allah’s support for him alongside His Messenger (2), in circumstances such as these, in which Allah made clear that there was no dependence on created beings, saying:

“If you do not aid him, Allah has already aided him when those who disbelieved drove him out as one of two, when they were both in the cave.” [Surah al-Tawbah: 40]

For this reason, Sufyān ibn ‘Uyaynah and others said that Allah reproached all people concerning His Prophet except Abū Bakr. He also said: “Whoever denies that Abū Bakr was the Prophet’s companion is an unbeliever, for he has denied the Quran.”