Hasan al-Basri, may Allah have mercy on him, in the explanation of Allah the Exalted’s statement: ﴿فَسَوْفَيَأْتِياللَّهُبِقَوْمٍيُحِبُّهُمْوَيُحِبُّونَهُ﴾, said: By Allah, the love and friendship of Allah refers to Sayyiduna Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, and his companions.
Hadith Referenceسنن سعید بن منصور / كتاب التفسير / 766