Did Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) refuse to pledge allegiance to Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), and if he delayed pledging allegiance to him, then what was the reason for that?

The statement that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, bequeathed the caliphate to Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, is a fabrication. For if it were a bequest, Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali himself would not have abandoned it. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, chose Abu Bakr to lead the Muslims in prayer, which indicates his selection for the caliphate. As for what was rumored about Ali refusing to pledge allegiance to Abu Bakr, it is a calumny. Ali was preoccupied with nursing Fatimah, may Allah be pleased with her, after the Prophet's death, and then pledged allegiance to Abu Bakr after her passing. The estrangement that occurred was due to Fatimah's demand for her inheritance from Khaybar and Fadak, and Abu Bakr's refusal, based on the Prophet's hadith: "We do not inherit; what we leave behind is charity." After that, Ali met with Abu Bakr, and Ali clarified the reason for his delay in pledging allegiance. Abu Bakr wept, and then Ali stood up and publicly pledged allegiance to him.