Caution: Translations of Quran and Ḥadīth may lead to possible misapplications and misinterpretations. This site is intended for students of sacred knowledge that are proficient in comprehending classical Arabic and have a strong foundation in Islamic sciences. Also note that religious injunctions rely on several aspects beyond what one may glean through reading individual aḥādīth.
darimi:77al-Ḥakam b. Mūsá > Yaḥyá b. Ḥamzah > al-Awzāʿī > Dāwud b. ʿAlī

[Machine] It was said, "O Messenger of Allah, shall we not protect you (by standing in front of you)?" He replied, "No, let them step on my footsteps and I step on their necks until Allah relieves me from them."  

الدارمي:٧٧أَخْبَرَنَا الْحَكَمُ بْنُ مُوسَى حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ حَمْزَةَ عَنِ الْأَوْزَاعِيِّ عَنْ دَاوُدَ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ قَالَ

قِيلَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَلَا نَحْجُبُكَ؟ فَقَالَ «لَا دَعُوهُمْ يَطَؤُونَ عَقِبِي وَأَطَأُ أَعْقَابَهُمْ حَتَّى يُرِيحَنِي اللَّهُ مِنْهُمْ»