Sayyiduna Abu Bakr radiyallahu 'anhu - The Most Beloved to Rasulullah sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam

 

Mawlana Nānotwī rahimahullah was once explaining the highest status of Sayyidunā Abū Bakr radiyallahu 'anhu in the Ummah. 

He was saying that with regard to different people, Rasūlullāh sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam used the word ‘aḥabb’. Sometimes he used it for Sayyidah ‘Ā’isha radiyallahu 'anha, sometimes for Sayyidah Fāṭimah radiyallahu 'anha, sometimes for Sayyidunā Abū Bakr radiyallahu 'anhu etc. 

However, in the aḥādīth, it is mentioned that if he sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam had to take a khalīl, then he would take Abū Bakr radiyallahu 'anhu as a khalīl. He did not say this for anyone else. 

Once we have come to know this, then understand that there are certain specific things that have certain characteristics, for example, if the letter sheen comes in place of fā’ (in fa’ala), then the meaning is that of loftiness. Like sharaf, sharar, shayṭān etc.

Similarly, where the letter khā and lām comes in fa’ala, then the meaning of devotion, dedication, and solitude is found, like khalwat, khalifah, khilal’. 

Once you know this, then understand that the link of love is with the heart. There are many veils over the heart. There is an empty spot in the middle. The love of general beloveds lies in the veils over the heart, and the love of the khalīl fills the empty spot in the heart. 

Once you know this, now you can comprehend the meaning of the ḥadīth, where it is said that there is no place in my heart except for the love of Allāh. Assuming that there was place for the love of someone else, then it would have been for Sayyidunā Abū Bakr radiyallahu 'anhu. 

When Sayyidunā Abū Bakr radiyallahu 'anhu was so beloved, then definitely the love of Rasulullah sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam for him would have been the most. 

As for the love for others, they were linked to the veils over the heart and the love of Sayyidunā Abū Bakr radiyallahu 'anhu was far from the veil, closest to the empty spot in the heart.