The Vast Majority of Muslims i.e. Ahlus Sunnah wal Jammah unanimously agree that this ayah has unquestionable and undeniable merit of Sayyidna Abu Bakr (RA)
Abu Bakr (RA) shall be called in from all gates of Paradise
Volume 5, Book 57, Number 18:Sahih Bukhari
Abdullah reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: If I were to choose as my bosom friend I would have chosen the son of Abu Quhafa (Abu Bakr) as my bosom friend.
Reference
Book 031, Number 5873: Sahih Muslim
Most beloved Person of Prophet(Peace be Upon Him)
Narrated 'Amr bin Al-As:The Prophet deputed me to read the Army of Dhat-as-Salasil. I came to him and said, "Who is the most beloved person to you?" He said, " 'Aisha." I asked, "Among the men?" He said, "Her father." I said, "Who then?" He said, "Then 'Umar bin Al-Khattab." He then named other men.
Reference
Volume 5, Book 57, Number 14: Sahih Bukhari
Sayyidna Abu Bakr (RA) and The Fear of Allah
The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) himself conveyed to him the glad tidings of his being the head of a group of persons in Paradise. The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) once remarked:
"Abu Bakr's name shall be called out from all the gates of Paradise, and he will be the first of my followers to enter it."
With all these virtues and privileges, Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho anho) used to say:
"I wish I were a tree that would be cut and done away with."
Sometimes he would say:
"I wish I were a blade of grass, whose life ended with the grazing by some beast."
He also said: "I wish I were a hair on the body of a Mo'min."
Once he went to a garden, where he saw a bird singing. He sighed deeply and said:
"0, bird! How lucky you are! You eat, you drink and fly under the shade of the trees, and you fear no reckoning of the Day of Judgement. I wish I were just like you."
His Humbleness
Hadhrat Rabiah Aslami (Radhiyallaho anho) narrates:
"Once I had some argument with Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho anho), during which he uttered a word that I did not like. He realized it immediately and said to me 'Brother, please say that word back to me in retaliation.' I refused to do so. He persisted, and even spoke of referring the matter to the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam), but I did not agree to utter that word. He got up and left me. A few people of my clan remarked, 'Look! How strange! The person does wrong to you and, on the top of that, he threatens to complain to the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam)'.
I said, 'Do you know who he is. He is Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho anho). To displease him is to displease the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) and to displease the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) is to displease Allah, and if Allah is displeased then who can save Rabiah from ruin? I went to the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) and narrated the whole story to him. He said, 'You were quite right in refusing to utter that word. But you could have said this much in reply: '0, Abu Bakr, (Radhiyallaho anho) May Allah forgive you!"
House in Paradise for Umar (RA) was already built
Jabir reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying:I entered Paradise and saw in it a house or a palace. I said: For whom is it resersred? They (the Angels) said: It is for 'Umar b. Khattab. (The Holy Prophet said to 'Umar b. Khattab): I intended to get into it but I thought of your feelings. Thereupon 'Umar wept and said: Apostle of Allah, could I feel any jealousy in your case?
Reference
Book 031, Number 5896: (Sahih Muslim)
Umar (RA) the one deserving to get inspiration [Muhadath]
A'isha reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: There had been among the people before you inspired persons and if there were any such among my Umma Umar b. Khattab would be one of them. Ibn Wahb explained the word Muhaddathun as those who receive hint from the High (Mulhamun).
Reference
Book 031, Number 5901: (Sahih Muslim)
Whosoever defames these 2 Sahaba does not love Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon him)
Muhammad ibn Sirin said: I do not suppose that a man who defames Abu Bakr (RA) and Umar (RA) loves the Prophet (salallaho alaihi wasalam)
Reference
[Tirimdhi, Hadith No. 3705 , Dar ul Ishaat], Imam Abu Isa al Tirimdhi (rah) said: The Hadith is Hasan Gharib.
Hatred for Uthman(Razi Allah Anhu) results in Anger from Allah
Volume 5, Book 57, Number 42: Sahih Bukhari
Prophet(صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) taking Pledge on behalf of Uthman(Razi Allah Anhu)
Narrated 'Uthman:
(the son of Muhib) An Egyptian who came and performed the Hajj to the Kaba saw some people sitting. He enquire, "Who are these people?" Somebody said, "They are the tribe of Quraish." He said, "Who is the old man sitting amongst them?" The people replied, "He is 'Abdullah bin 'Umar." He said, "O Ibn Umar! I want to ask you about something; please tell me about it. Do you know that 'Uthman fled away on the day (of the battle) of Uhud?" Ibn 'Umar said, "Yes." The (Egyptian) man said, "Do you know that 'Uthman was absent on the day (of the battle) of Badr and did not join it?" Ibn 'Umar said, "Yes." The man said, "Do you know that he failed to attend the Ar Ridwan pledge and did not witness it (i.e. Hudaibiya pledge of allegiance)?" Ibn 'Umar said, "Yes." The man said, "Allahu Akbar!" Ibn 'Umar said, "Let me explain to you (all these three things). As for his flight on the day of Uhud, I testify that Allah has excused him and forgiven him; and as for his absence from the battle of Badr, it was due to the fact that the daughter of Allah's Apostle was his wife and she was sick then. Allah's Apostle said to him, "You will receive the same reward and share (of the booty) as anyone of those who participated in the battle of Badr (if you stay with her).' As for his absence from the Ar-Ridwan pledge of allegiance, had there been any person in Mecca more respectable than 'Uthman (to be sent as a representative). Allah's Apostle would have sent him instead of him. No doubt, Allah's Apostle had sent him, and the incident of the Ar-Ridwan pledge of Allegiance happened after 'Uthman had gone to Mecca. Allah's Apostle held out his right hand saying, 'This is 'Uthman's hand.' He stroke his (other) hand with it saying, 'This (pledge of allegiance) is on the behalf of 'Uthman.' Then Ibn 'Umar said to the man, 'Bear (these) excuses in mind with you.'
Reference
Sahih Bukhari Volume 5, Book 57, Number 48
Umar(Razi Allah Anhu) against whom who degrades Ali(Razi Allah Anhu)
Narrated Sad bin 'Ubaida:
A man came to Ibn 'Umar and asked about 'Uthman and Ibn 'Umar mentioned his good deeds and said to the questioner. "Perhaps these facts annoy you?" The other said, "Yes." Ibn 'Umar said, "May Allah stick your nose in the dust (i.e. degrade you)!' Then the man asked him about 'Ali. Ibn 'Umar mentioned his good deeds and said, "It is all true, and that is his house in the midst of the houses of the Prophet. Perhaps these facts have hurt you?" The questioner said, "Yes." Ibn 'Umar said, "May Allah stick your nose in the dust (i.e. degrade you or make you do things which you hate) ! Go away and do whatever you can against me."
Reference
Volume 5, Book 57, Number 54:(Sahih Bukhari)
►Ibn Kathīr, al-Bidāyah wan-nihāyah (4:168)
►Ibn ‘Asākir, Tārīkh Dimashq al-kabīr (45:167, 168)
►Ibn ‘Abī ‘Āsim briefly mentioned in as-Sunnah (p.603 # 1362).
عن عمار بن ياسر رضي الله عنه، يقول: وقف على علي بن أبي طالب رضي الله عنه سائل وهو راكع في تطوع، فنزع خاتمه فأعطاه السائل، فأتى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم، فأعلمه ذالك، فنزلت على النبي صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم هذه الآية: {إنَّمَا وَلِيُّكُمُ اللهُ وَرَسُوْله وَالَّذِيْنَ آمَنُوا الَّذِيْنَ يُقِيْمُوْنَ الصَّلاةَ وَيُؤْتُوْنَ الزَّكَاةَ وَهُمْ رَاكِعُوْنَ} فقرأها رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم، ثم قال: من كنت مولاه فعلي مولاه، اللهم! وال من والاه، وعاد من عاداه
►Ahmad bin Hambal narrated it in al-Musnad (1:119; 4:372)
►Hākim, al-Mustadrak (3:119, 371 # 4576, 5594)
►Ibn Abī Shaybah, al-Musannaf (12:78 # 12167)
►Ibn Kathīr in al-Bidāyah wan-nihāyah (4:169; 5:464)
►Ibn ‘Asākir, Tārīkh Dimashq al-kabīr (5:167, 168)
► Ibn Athīr, Asad-ul-ghābah (4:103)
► Dhahabī has said in Siyar a‘lām-in-nubalā’ (2:623, 624)