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: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar