Muslim

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
Regarding the issue of leadership in prayer (imamah), the position of Imam al-Bukhari rahimahullah is that one should select a person of knowledge and virtue for this role. A person who is ignorant of the religion is absolutely unfit for this position, even if he is the best reciter (qari), because Abu Bakr al-Siddiq radi Allahu anhu was superior to all the Companions radi Allahu anhum in knowledge and virtue. For this reason, the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam appointed him to lead the prayer. Therefore, it is befitting for this great position that the honor be given to the one who is greatest in knowledge and virtue.

It is also possible that the intention of the Imam (i.e., Imam al-Bukhari rahimahullah) is to support the view of the majority, that the scholars are more deserving of the position of imamah than the reciters (qurra’), because among the Companions radi Allahu anhum, Ubayy ibn Ka‘b radi Allahu anhu was the greatest reciter, as is established by the explicit text of the hadith. Despite this, the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam chose Abu Bakr al-Siddiq radi Allahu anhu, because he was superior in knowledge and virtue.
(Hashiyat al-Sindi: 1/124)

(2)
In one hadith, it is stated that the imam of the people should be the one who has memorized the most Qur’an; if they are equal in this quality, then the one who has more knowledge of the Sunnah of the Prophet should lead.
(Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Masajid, Hadith: 1532(673))

Also, it is narrated from Abu Mas‘ud al-Ansari radi Allahu anhu that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said:
“When the time for prayer comes, let one of you give the call to prayer (adhan), and let the one who knows the most Qur’an among you lead the prayer.”
(Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Masajid, Hadith: 1532(673))

These ahadith require that the position of imamah should be given to the one who has memorized the Qur’an (hafiz al-Qur’an). The majority consider such ahadith to be abrogated, because the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, in his final days, appointed Abu Bakr radi Allahu anhu to the position of imamah. However, there is no need to consider these ahadith abrogated, because Abu Bakr al-Siddiq radi Allahu anhu, along with being a hafiz of the Qur’an, was also the greatest scholar of the Sunnah. The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam entrusted him with the position of imamah due to these excellent qualities.

In the hadith of Muslim, “the most knowledgeable of the Sunnah” (a‘lam bi’l-sunnah) refers to the person who, along with being able to recite the Qur’an correctly as required, knows the rulings related to prayer better than others. Thus, Abu Bakr al-Siddiq radi Allahu anhu was the most knowledgeable, understanding, pious, and God-fearing among the Companions radi Allahu anhum.
(radi Allahu anhu)

Hadith Commentary:
By "the companions of Yusuf (alayhis salam)," those women are meant whom Zulaikha had gathered, who outwardly reproached Zulaikha for her love, but inwardly all were captivated by the beauty of Yusuf (alayhis salam).
The purpose of the Prophet's (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) statement was that your opinion about Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) is only outward; otherwise, in your hearts, you all accept his leadership (imamate).

Hadith Commentary:
1.
The women upon whom the obligation fell in the case of Yusuf (alayhis salam) refers to the noblewomen of Egypt whom the wife of the Aziz of Egypt had gathered in her house with great ceremony. Outwardly, they had reproached her for being in love with Yusuf (alayhis salam), but they themselves were deeply affected by the beauty of Yusuf (alayhis salam). Upon seeing the beauty and elegance of Yusuf (alayhis salam), the noblewomen of Egypt became so absorbed and entranced that their knives, instead of cutting the fruit, ended up cutting their own hands. Each one of them tried to attract Yusuf (alayhis salam) towards herself. However, despite all their allure and charm, Yusuf (alayhis salam) did not even deem it acceptable to raise his gaze towards them. Witnessing this scene, they spontaneously exclaimed that this is not a human being but rather a noble angel, for in their view it was impossible for a young man to be so far above carnal desires that, in such a flirtatious environment, he would not even glance towards them. This incident also sheds considerable light on the moral state of that era: how widespread indecency was, how much freedom and boldness women had in spreading immorality, and in comparison, how weak or even how much of cuckolds the men were. In any case, Allah Ta’ala granted Sayyiduna Yusuf (alayhis salam) such resolve and steadfastness that the magic of the women of Egypt could not affect him.

2.
By mentioning the "companions of Yusuf," the purpose of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was that your opinion regarding Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) is only outward formality; otherwise, you have already accepted the leadership (imamate) of Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu).