Imam Ishaq narrated through Abd al-Razzaq, Ma'mar, an unnamed narrator and Imam al-Hasan al-Basri that Sayyiduna Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) delivered a sermon and said: "Behold! By Allah, I am not the best of you. I disliked this position of mine (the caliphate), and I wished that there were someone among you who would carry this responsibility in my place. Do you think that I will be able to act among you exactly according to the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him)? In that case I could not bear its burden, for the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was protected (from error) through revelation (wahy), and an angel was with him (peace and blessings be upon him), whereas I have a devil that overcomes me. So when I become angry, keep away from me, so that I do no harm to your hair and your skins (bodies). Know well! Watch over me: if I remain on the right path, help me, and if I turn away from the truth, set me straight." Imam al-Hasan al-Basri (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "By Allah! It was such a sermon that no one ever delivered one like it after him."
Wahb bin Jarir bin Hazim informed us; he said: My father narrated to me that he heard Imam al-Hasan al-Basri say that Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) delivered a sermon; then he related a narration like it.
Imam Ahmad narrated part of it, in similar meaning, through Qays bin Abi Hazim from Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him).
Hadith Referenceالمطالب العالية بزوائد المسانيد الثمانية / كتاب الخلافة والإمارة / 2117
Hadith Gradingمحدثین:إسناده حسن، مرسل
Hadith Takhrij«حکم الحدیث المطالب العالیہ محققاً تنسیق د. سعد بن ناصر بن عبد العزيز الشَّثري- مکتبہ شاملہ :وله طريق آخر عن قَيْسِ بْنِ أَبِي حَازِمٍ، عَنْ أَبِي بَكْرٍ به، وإسناده حسن كما تقدّم تخريجه، وهذا الطريق يقوّي مرسل الحسن والله أعلم. » «أخرجه المطالب العالية لابن حجر برقم: 2117 / 2، وأخرجه مصنف عبد الرزاق برقم: 20701، وأخرجه المعجم الأوسط للطبراني برقم: 8597»