While addressing the people, Hadhrat Ali رضى الله عنه once asked, “0 people! Who is the most courageous person?” “You are, 0 Ameerul Mu’mineen,” the people submitted. Hadhrat Ali رضى الله عنه then said, “Although I have defeated everyone who has confronted me, the most courageous person is Abu Bakr رضى الله عنه. We had constructed a shed for Rasulullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم (during the Battle of Badr) and then asked who would remain with Rasulullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم so that’the Mushrikeen do not attack him. By Allaah! Whenever a Mushrik even drew close to us Abu Bakr رضى الله عنه was there with his sword drawn near the head side of Rasulullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم. He attacked anyone who dared attack Rasulullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم .He was certainly the bravest of people.”

 Hadhrat Ali رضى الله عنه continues, “I have seen the Quraysh grab hold of Rasulullaah صلى الله عليه وسلمwith one person treating him angrily and another shaking him while they said to hiim, ‘Do you make all the gods into one?!’ By Allaah! None of us dared go close to Rasulullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم (for fear of being beaten) besides Abu Bakr رضى الله عنه .He would hit one person, wrestle with another and shake someone else as he said,’Shame on you people! Will you kill a man for saying, ‘Allaah is my Rabb’?”‘Hadhrat Ali رضى الله عنه then lifted the shawl he was wearing and wept until his beard became wet. He then said, “I ask you to swear by Allaah whether the Mu’min from the court of Fir’oun was better or Abu Bakr رضى الله عنه.”When everyone remained silent, Hadhrat Ali رضى الله عنه said, “By Allaah! A moment of the life of Abu Bakr رضى الله عنه is better than the earth full of people like the Mu’min from the court of Fir’oun. While the Mu’min from the court of Fir’oun concealed his Imaan, Abu Bakr رضى الله عنه made his Imaan public.”(1)

Note:

(1) Bazzaar as quoted in Al Bidaaya wan Nihaaya (Vo1.3 Pg.271). Haythami (Vo1.9 Pg.47) has commented on the chain of narrators.