by Abu Bakr was an individual that touched the hearts of those who knew him in ways that would evoke great emotion even decades later. During his caliphate, Ali ibn Abi Talib delivered a sermon to the people starting with a question: “O’ people, who is the bravest of all people?”
Those present answered, “You are, O Leader of the Believers.”
Ali said, “Lo, I never entered into a duel with another man except that came out victorious over him. And yet the bravest of all people was none other than Abu Bakr. We once built a command centre for the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), and we said, ‘Who will stay with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), so as to prevent the polytheists from attacking him?’ By Allah, not a single one of us approached (to volunteer for the position) except for Abu Bakr, who, with his sword unsheathed, stood over the head of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). Abu Bakr then fought against anyone who tried to attack the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), and so, yes, he was the bravest of all people.”
“I remember the time when I saw the Quraish opposing the Prophet and physically shaking him violently, and all the while they were saying to him, ‘Have you taken our gods and made them into one God!” By Allah, not a single one of us stepped forward (to defend him) except Abu Bar, who struggled against and struck one man and pushed violently another, and all the while he was saying to them, ‘Woe upon you, are you fighting against a man because he says: My Lord is Allah?”
Ali then lifted the robe he was wearing, and he began to cry until his beard became soaked with tears. He then continued, “I ask you by Allah, was the believer from the family of the Pharaoh better or Abu Bakr?”
Those attending the gathering then began to cry along with Ali, who said, “By Allah, Abu Bakr for an hour is better than the believer of the family of the Pharaoh even if clones of him were to fill the entire earth: the latter kept his faith a secret, while the former openly proclaimed his faith. [1]Al-Bidaayah Wan-Nihaayah (3/271, 272)[2]The Biography of Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq by Dr. Ali Muhammad as-Sallābi pg.62