ʿUmar, Abū ʿUbaydah and others like them were among the finest of the Emigrants, and both were among the greatest supporters of Abū Bakr al-Siddīq. They were more virtuous than Saʿd ibn ʿUbādah, who withheld his pledge of allegiance to him and did not stand against those responsible for the slander, and who was removed from command on the day of the conquest of Mecca. It has been reported that the jinn killed him, although he was nevertheless among the earliest forerunners destined for Paradise.

Likewise, ʿUmar and ʿUthmān were more virtuous than ʿAlī. His support for al-Siddīq during the incident of the slander, and his obedience to Allah and His Messenger and assistance to Abū Bakr during the latter’s caliphate, did not equal that of others. Allah is a just Judge who rewards people according to their deeds. Allah has favored some prophets over others and favored the messengers over others; the messengers of firm resolve are more virtuous than the remaining messengers. Likewise, He has favored the earliest forerunners among the Emigrants and Helpers over others. All of them are friends of Allah, and all of them will be in Paradise, yet Allah has raised some above others in rank. Thus, the closer an Emigrant or Helper was to al-Siddīq, the more virtuous he was. The finest Muslims have always stood with al-Siddīq (1), in earlier and later times, because of the perfection of his character and faith.

He, may Allah be pleased with him, was among the Muslims most attentive to the rights of the relatives (2) of Allah’s Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and of his household. His perfect love for the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, necessarily extended to the Prophet’s household, since showing regard for