Question

Can you please translate and confirm the authenticity of the following narration

 كان علي إذا ذكر عنده أبو بكر قال: السباق يذكرون السباق قال: والذي نفسي بيده ما استبقنا إلى خير قط
إلا سبقنا إليه أبو بكر

 

Answer

Imam Tabarani (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration via a weak chain.

(Al Mu’jamul Awsat, Hadith: 7164. Refer: Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 9, pg. 46)

Translation

When Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radiyallahu ‘anhu) was mentioned in the presence of Sayyiduna ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu) he would say:

“You are discussing the forerunner, I take an oath in that being in whose control is my life, whenever we tried to compete with Abu Bakr he always outdid us”

 

And Allah Ta’ala knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar