This is also the case with the selection of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. At that time, the Holy Prophetsa had seventy or eighty companions, and even Hazrat Alira was with him, but from all of these companions, the Holy Prophetsa chose none other than Hazrat Abu Bakrra. What is the secret in this? The fact is that a Prophet sees through the eye of God Almighty, and his insight comes from God Almighty. Therefore, Allah the Exalted had informed the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, by means of vision and revelation that the best and most appropriate person for this task was Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiqra.
Hazrat Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, accompanied the Holy Prophetsa in this difficult hour. This was a time of perilous trial. When a similar time dawned upon the Messiahas, his disciples abandoned him and fled, and one of them even stood before him and cursed him. But each and every one of the noble companions of the Holy Prophetsa demonstrated complete loyalty. Therefore, Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiqra stood by the Holy Prophetsa and gave him full support, and when they reached a cave known as the Cave of Thaur, they both took refuge in the cave. The evil disbelievers who had conspired to harm the Holy Prophetsa were led to this cave in their search. Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiqra submitted to the Holy Prophetsa: ‘Now, these people are upon us, and if any one of them looks down even slightly, they will be able to see us, and we shall be apprehended.’ At that time, the Holy Prophetsa said:
لَا تَحۡزَنۡ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ مَعَنَا
Meaning, do not fear in the least, for Allah the Exalted is with us. Reflect on these words. The Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, joins Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiqra with himself and states:
اِنَّ اللّٰهَ مَعَنَا
Verily, Allah is with us.
The Arabic words ma’ana refer to both of them, i.e. ‘with you and I.’ Allah the Exalted placed the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, on one side and Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiqra on the other. At that time, both of them were in a state of trial. For it was at this point in time when the foundation of Islam was either going to be secured or brought to an end.
The enemy stood at the mouth of the cave and various opinions were being voiced. Some said that the cave ought to be searched because the footprints ended at the cave, while others pointed out that it was impossible for a person to pass through here and enter the cave as a spider had woven a web at the mouth of the cave and a dove had laid its eggs. These discussions could be heard from within the cave and the Holy Prophetsa could also hear them clearly. In this state of affairs, the enemy had come to kill them both and had set out with immense vigour to complete their task, but just observe the remarkable courage of the Holy Prophetsa, who says to his true friend:
لَا تَحۡزَنۡ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ مَعَنَا
Grieve not, for Allah is with us.
These words evidently demonstrate that the Holy Prophetsa said the aforementioned phrase with his tongue, because such words could only be expressed with a voice and not through sign language. The enemy stood outside consulting amongst themselves, and inside the cave, both servant and master are also engaged in discourse. The Holy Prophetsa had no concern that the enemy would hear his voice and this is proof of his remarkable faith and his insight into Allah the Exalted. It demonstrates that he had full trust in the promises of God Almighty. This one example alone is enough to show the bravery of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. In addition to the account just mentioned, there is another incident that bears testimony to the bravery of Abu Bakr Siddiqra as well.
(Malfuzat [English], Vol. 2, pp. 91-92)