History of Khulafah Rashideen by Jalal ad-Din as-Suyuti - translated by Abdassamad Clarke

Ad-Dinuri narrated, in al-Mujalasah, and Ibn cAsakir that ash-Shacbi said: Allah singled out Abu Bakr for four qualities with which he did not single out any other person: He named him as-Siddiq and named no-one apart from him as-Siddiq; and he was the Companion of the Cave along with the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace; his close companion on the Hijrah; and the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, ordered him to lead the prayer while the Muslims were witnesses to that.

lltii Abi Dawud narrated in Kitab al-Masahif that Jacfar said:

Abu Bakr used to listen to the intimate conversation of Jibril with I hr Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, without iceing him.

Al-Hakim narrated that Ibn al-Musayyab said: Abu Bakr was, in relation to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, In l lie position of a deputy and he would take his counsel in all his rt I lairs. He was his second in Islam, and his second in the Cave, his second in the shelter on the Day of Badr, and his second in the arave. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, would not prefer anyone over him.