Is it obligatory for a Muslim to love, show affection for, and emulate the two Caliphs, Abu Bakr and Umar, according to the creed of Ibn Hazm? And whom does Ibn Hazm emulate?

Regarding the question about Ibn Hazm's view on the superiority of the Companions, he stated in his book "Al-Fasl fi al-Milal wa al-Ahwa' wa an-Nihal" that the best of creation after the Prophets are the wives of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, followed by Abu Bakr, based on the virtue of his love for the Prophet, peace be upon him. He also explicitly stated in "Al-Muhalla" that the best of creation are the Messengers, then the Prophets, then the Companions of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, then the righteous. He cited the verse: {Not equal among you are those who spent and fought before the conquest [of Makkah] (with those who did so after). Those are greater in degree than those who spent and fought afterwards. But to all has Allah promised the best [reward].}

As for Ibn Hazm's view on following Abu Bakr and Umar, he does not consider the sayings of the Companions as a proof and does not permit imitating any of them, including the two Shaykhs. Rather, for him, the proof is limited to the Qur'an and the Sunnah. In "Al-Ihkam fi Usul al-Ahkam," he pointed out the weakness of the hadith: "Follow those who come after me: Abu Bakr and Umar," and that the authentic hadith is: "I have left among you two things, by which you will never go astray as long as you hold fast to them: the Book of Allah and my Sunnah."