The status of Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه amongst the companions:

قال رجل لعمر بن الخطاب رضي الله عنه : مـا رأيت مثـلك ، قال عمر : رأيت أبا بكر ؟ قال الرجل : لا قال : لو قلت نعم إني رأيته لأوجعتك ضرباً ؛

A man said to ‘Umar رضي الله عنه “I haven’t seen anyone like you.” ‘Umar said: “Have you seen Abu Bakr?” He said: “No.” ‘Umar said: “If you had answered ‘Yes, I have seen him’ I would have hit you.”

[Ibn Abi Shaybah, 31993]