The Illustrious Sahaabah The Illustrious Sahaabah of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)
Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) always acknowledged the lofty position of Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and he did not regard himself to be equal to Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu).
On one occasion, a group of people praised Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) saying, “By Allah! We never saw a man who dispenses justice, speaks the truth and is more severe upon the hypocrites than you, O Ameer-ul-Mu’mineen! After Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), you are the greatest person (of this ummah)!”
Hearing this, Hazrat Auf bin Maalik (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) objected to the people who mentioned this saying, “You people have not spoken the truth! By Allah, I have seen another man who is actually the greatest person after Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)!”
When the people asked Hazrat Auf (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) as to whom he was referring to, he replied, “I am referring to Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) (as he is the greatest person of this ummah after Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and the Ambiyaa).”
Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) then said, “By Allah! Hazrat Auf (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) has spoken the truth and you people have not spoken the truth! Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was more fragrant than musk while I was still astray and more misguided than my family’s camel (i.e. Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) mentioned this referring to the period before he had accepted Islam, and at that time, Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) already possessed Imaan and had excelled in Deen).” (Manaaqib Umar bin Khattaab libnil Jowzi pg. 141)
