A number of scholars, including Abū al-Qāsim al-Suhaylī and others, said: Allah’s being with someone in this special way has not been established for anyone other than Abū Bakr. The same applies to his words:

“What do you think of two whose third is Allah?”

Indeed, their unique distinction appeared in the wording just as it did in the meaning. The Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—was referred to as “Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah.” When Abū Bakr assumed leadership after him, people began saying, “and the successor to the Messenger of Allah.” They thus linked “the successor” to “the Messenger of Allah,” which is itself linked to Allah; and what is linked to something linked to Allah is itself linked to Him, bearing out (1) his words:

“Indeed, Allah is with us,”

and:

“What do you think of two whose third is Allah?”

Then, when ‘Umar assumed leadership after him, people began saying, “Commander of the Faithful.” Thus, the distinctive designation that set Abū Bakr apart from all the other Companions came to an end.

This is further clarified by the fact that companionship has both general and specific senses. One may say that someone accompanied another for an hour, a day, a week, a month, a year, or his entire lifetime. The Most High says:

“and the companion at your side” [Surah al-Nisā’: 36].

It has been said that this means a travelling companion, and it has also been said that it means one’s wife. Companionship with either may be brief [or prolonged] (2). Allah has also called the wife a companion in His words:

“How could He have a son when He has no consort?” [Surah al-An‘ām: 101].

For this reason, Ahmad ibn Hanbal said in the “Epistle” transmitted by ‘Abdūs ibn Mālik