Status in the eyes of Hazrat Aisha (ra)
The following narration is perhaps related to the gathering in which Hazrat Abu Hurairah (ra) has just referred to. On one occasion, Hazrat Aisha (ra) was asked, “If the Messenger (sa) of Allah had appointed a vicegerent after him, who would he have appointed?” Hazrat Aisha (ra) replied, “Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra)”. People asked her, “And after Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra)?” Hazrat Aisha (ra) said, “Hazrat Umar (ra)”. The people then asked, “And after Hazrat Umar (ra)?” Hazrat ‘Aisha (ra) said, “Hazrat Abu Ubaidah bin Jarrah (ra)”. This narration is from Sahih Muslim.
(Sahih Muslim, Kitab Fada‘il al-Sahabah, Bab Fadail Abi Bakr, Hadith 2385)
In another narration, it is stated that Abdullah bin Shaqeeq asked Hazrat Aisha (ra), “Who was the dearest to the Messenger (sa) of Allah from among his companions?” Hazrat Aisha (ra) replied, “Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra).” The man asked, “And after Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra)?” Hazrat Aisha (ra) replied, “Hazrat ‘Umar (ra).” He asked, “And following Hazrat Umar (ra)?” Hazrat Aisha (ra) said, “Hazrat Abu Ubaidah bin Jarrah (ra).” He then asked who was after him. However, the narrator says that Hazrat Aisha (ra) remained silent thereafter.
(Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi, Abwab al-Manaqib, Bab Manaqib Abi Bakr, Hadith 3657)