Zainul ‘Aabideen (rahimahullah) realized that this man had an ill opinion of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). He thus addressed him saying, “Woe to you! The people who were better than me all referred to him with the title ‘Siddeeq’! They were Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and the Sahaabah of the Muhaajireen and Ansaar (radhiyallahu ‘anhum). When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) himself honored him with the title Siddeeq then I will definitely call him by this title. If any person does not accept this title and refuses to afford Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) this title of respect, then may Allah Ta‘ala not make such a person true and not accept any of his ‘ibaadaat. Go, and ensure that you love Hazrat Abu Bakr and Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) from your heart, and align yourself to them in the friendship of Islam, for I stand guarantee for their great virtue and superiority by Allah.”

(Siyar A’laam min Nubalaa 4/395)