For this reason, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was never (1) granted victory in any situation without Abū Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, having the greatest share in that victory after him. None of the Companions possessed greater certainty or steadfastness in times of danger than he did. Hence it was said: “If Abū Bakr’s faith were weighed against the faith of all the people on earth, his would outweigh theirs.”

As reported in the Sunan collections, Abū Bakrah narrated that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

“‘Has any of you seen a dream?’ A man replied: ‘I have. I saw what appeared to be a balance descending from heaven. You and Abū Bakr were weighed, and you outweighed Abū Bakr. Then Abū Bakr and ʿUmar were weighed, and Abū Bakr outweighed him. Then ʿUmar and ʿUthmān were weighed, and ʿUmar outweighed him. Then the balance was raised.’ The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was saddened by this and said: ‘A prophetic caliphate; then Allah grants kingship to whomever He wills.’” (2)

Abū Bakr ibn ʿAyyāsh said: “Abū Bakr did not surpass them through prayer or fasting, but through something that had become firmly rooted in his heart.”

[Section: The Rāfidī’s discussion of the words of the Most High, “But the most righteous will be kept away from it,” and the response to him]

Section

The Rāfidī said:

“As for His words:

‘But the most righteous will be kept away from it.’ [Surah al-Layl: 17]

The person meant here is Abū al-Dahdāh, since he bought a palm tree belonging to someone for the sake of that person’s neighbour. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, had offered to