"Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "A time will come upon the people, when a group of people will wage a holy war and it will be said, 'Is there amongst you anyone who has accompanied Messenger of Allah ﷺ?' They will say, 'Yes.' And so victory will be bestowed on them. Then a time will come upon the people when a group of people will wage a holy war, and it will be said, "Is there amongst you anynone who has accompanied the companions of Messenger of Allah ﷺ?' They will say, 'Yes.' And so victory will be bestowed on them. Then a time will come upon the people when a group of people will wage a holy war, and it will be said, "Is there amongst you anyone who has been in the company of the companions of the companions of Messenger of Allah ﷺ ?' They will say, 'Yes.' And victory will be bestowed on them."  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَأْتِي عَلَى النَّاسِ زَمَانٌ فَيَغْزُو فِئَامٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ فَيَقُولُونَ فِيكُمْ مَنْ صَاحَبَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَيَقُولُونَ نَعَمْ فَيُفْتَحُ لَهُمْ ثُمَّ يَأْتِي عَلَى النَّاسِ زَمَانٌ فَيَغْزُو فِئَامٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ فَيُقَالُ هَلْ فِيكُمْ مَنْ صَاحَبَ أَصْحَابَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَيَقُولُونَ نَعَمْ فَيُفْتَحُ لَهُمْ ثُمَّ يَأْتِي عَلَى النَّاسِ زَمَانٌ فَيَغْزُو فِئَامٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ فَيُقَالُ هَلْ فِيكُمْ مَنْ صَاحَبَ مَنْ صَاحَبَ أَصْحَابَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَيَقُولُونَ نَعَمْ فَيُفْتَحُ لَهُمْ  

"Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, 'The best of my followers are those living in my generation (i.e. my contemporaries). and then those who will follow the latter" ʿImran added, "I do not remember whether he mentioned two or three generations after his generation, then the Prophet ﷺ added, 'There will come after you, people who will bear witness without being asked to do so, and will be treacherous and untrustworthy, and they will vow and never fulfill their vows, and fatness will appear among them."  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ خَيْرُ أُمَّتِي قَرْنِي ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ قَالَ عِمْرَانُ فَلاَ أَدْرِي أَذَكَرَ بَعْدَ قَرْنِهِ قَرْنَيْنِ أَوْ ثَلاَثًا ثُمَّ إِنَّ بَعْدَكُمْ قَوْمًا يَشْهَدُونَ وَلاَ يُسْتَشْهَدُونَ وَيَخُونُونَ وَلاَ يُؤْتَمَنُونَ وَيَنْذُرُونَ وَلاَ يَفُونَ وَيَظْهَرُ فِيهِمُ السِّمَنُ  

The Prophet ﷺ said, "The best people are those living in my generation, and then those who will follow them, and then those who will follow the latter. Then there will come some people who will bear witness before taking oaths, and take oaths before bearing witness." (Ibrahim, a sub-narrator said, "They used to beat us for witnesses and covenants when we were still children.")  

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ قَالَ خَيْرُ النَّاسِ قَرْنِي ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ ثُمَّ يَجِيءُ قَوْمٌ تَسْبِقُ شَهَادَةُ أَحَدِهِمْ يَمِينَهُ وَيَمِينُهُ شَهَادَتَهُ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ وَكَانُوا يَضْرِبُونَا عَلَى الشَّهَادَةِ وَالْعَهْدِ وَنَحْنُ صِغَارٌ  

Abu Bakr bought a (camel) saddle from ʿAzib for thirteen Dirhams. Abu Bakr said to ʿAzib, "Tell Al- Bara' to carry the saddle for me." ʿAzib said, "No, unless you relate to me what happened to you and Messenger of Allah ﷺ when you left Mecca while the pagans were in search of you." Abu Bakr said, "We left Mecca and we traveled continuously for that night and the following day till it was midday. I looked (around) searching for shade to take as shelter, and suddenly I came across a rock, and found a little shade there. So I cleaned the place and spread a bed for the Prophet ﷺ in the shade and said to him, 'Lie down, O Messenger of Allah ﷺ.' So the Prophet ﷺ lay down and I went out, looking around to see if there was any person pursuing us. Suddenly I saw a shepherd driving his sheep towards the rock, seeking what we had already sought from it. I asked him, 'To whom do you belong, O boy?' He said, 'I belong to a man from Quraish.' He named the man and I recognized him. I asked him, 'Is there any milk with your sheep?' He said, 'Yes.' I said, 'Will you then milk (some) for us?' He said, 'Yes.' Then I asked him to tie the legs of one of the sheep and clean its udder, and then ordered him to clean his hands from dust. Then the shepherd cleaned his hands by striking his hands against one another. After doing so, he milked a small amount of milk. I used to keep for Messenger of Allah ﷺ a leather water-container, the mouth of which was covered with a piece of cloth. I poured water on the milk container till its lower part was cold. Then I took the milk to the Prophet ﷺ whom I found awake. I said to him, 'Drink, O Messenger of Allah ﷺ.' So he drank till I became pleased. Then I said, 'It is time for us to move, O Allah's Apostle!' He said, 'Yes.' So we set out while the people (i.e. Quraish pagans) were searching for us, but none found us except Suraqah bin Malik bin Juʿshum who was riding his horse. I said, 'These are our pursuers who have found us. O Messenger of Allah ﷺ!' He said, 'Do not grieve, for Allah is with us."  

اشْتَرَى أَبُو بَكْرٍ ؓ مِنْ عَازِبٍ رَحْلاً بِثَلاَثَةَ عَشَرَ دِرْهَمًا فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ لِعَازِبٍ مُرِ الْبَرَاءَ فَلْيَحْمِلْ إِلَىَّ رَحْلِي فَقَالَ عَازِبٌ لاَ حَتَّى تُحَدِّثَنَا كَيْفَ صَنَعْتَ أَنْتَ وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ حِينَ خَرَجْتُمَا مِنْ مَكَّةَ وَالْمُشْرِكُونَ يَطْلُبُونَكُمْ قَالَ ارْتَحَلْنَا مِنْ مَكَّةَ فَأَحْيَيْنَا أَوْ سَرَيْنَا لَيْلَتَنَا وَيَوْمَنَا حَتَّى أَظْهَرْنَا وَقَامَ قَائِمُ الظَّهِيرَةِ فَرَمَيْتُ بِبَصَرِي هَلْ أَرَى مِنْ ظِلٍّ فَآوِيَ إِلَيْهِ فَإِذَا صَخْرَةٌ أَتَيْتُهَا فَنَظَرْتُ بَقِيَّةَ ظِلٍّ لَهَا فَسَوَّيْتُهُ ثُمَّ فَرَشْتُ لِلنَّبِيِّ ﷺ فِيهِ ثُمَّ قُلْتُ لَهُ اضْطَجِعْ يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ فَاضْطَجَعَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ ثُمَّ انْطَلَقْتُ أَنْظُرُ مَا حَوْلِي هَلْ أَرَى مِنَ الطَّلَبِ أَحَدًا فَإِذَا أَنَا بِرَاعِي غَنَمٍ يَسُوقُ غَنَمَهُ إِلَى الصَّخْرَةِ يُرِيدُ مِنْهَا الَّذِي أَرَدْنَا فَسَأَلْتُهُ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ لِمَنْ أَنْتَ يَا غُلاَمُ قَالَ لِرَجُلٍ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ سَمَّاهُ فَعَرَفْتُهُ فَقُلْتُ هَلْ فِي غَنَمِكَ مِنْ لَبَنٍ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ فَهَلْ أَنْتَ حَالِبٌ لَبَنًا قَالَ نَعَمْ فَأَمَرْتُهُ فَاعْتَقَلَ شَاةً مِنْ غَنَمِهِ ثُمَّ أَمَرْتُهُ أَنْ يَنْفُضَ ضَرْعَهَا مِنَ الْغُبَارِ ثُمَّ أَمَرْتُهُ أَنْ يَنْفُضَ كَفَّيْهِ فَقَالَ هَكَذَا ضَرَبَ إِحْدَى كَفَّيْهِ بِالأُخْرَى فَحَلَبَ لِي كُثْبَةً مِنْ لَبَنٍ وَقَدْ جَعَلْتُ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِدَاوَةً عَلَى فَمِهَا خِرْقَةٌ فَصَبَبْتُ عَلَى اللَّبَنِ حَتَّى بَرَدَ أَسْفَلُهُ فَانْطَلَقْتُ بِهِ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَوَافَقْتُهُ قَدِ اسْتَيْقَظَ فَقُلْتُ اشْرَبْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَشَرِبَ حَتَّى رَضِيتُ ثُمَّ قُلْتُ قَدْ آنَ الرَّحِيلُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ بَلَى فَارْتَحَلْنَا وَالْقَوْمُ يَطْلُبُونَا فَلَمْ يُدْرِكْنَا أَحَدٌ مِنْهُمْ غَيْرُ سُرَاقَةَ بْنِ مَالِكِ بْنِ جُعْشُمٍ عَلَى فَرَسٍ لَهُ فَقُلْتُ هَذَا الطَّلَبُ قَدْ لَحِقَنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ لاَ تَحْزَنْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَنَا  

I said to the Prophet ﷺ while I was in the Cave. "If any of them should look under his feet, he would see us." He said, "O Abu Bakr! What do you think of two (persons) the third of whom is Allah?"  

قُلْتُ لِلنَّبِيِّ ﷺ وَأَنَا فِي الْغَارِ لَوْ أَنَّ أَحَدَهُمْ نَظَرَ تَحْتَ قَدَمَيْهِ لأَبْصَرَنَا فَقَالَ مَا ظَنُّكَ يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ بِاثْنَيْنِ اللَّهُ ثَالِثُهُمَا  

Messenger of Allah ﷺ addressed the people saying, "Allah has given option to a slave to choose this world or what is with Him. The slave has chosen what is with Allah." Abu Bakr wept, and we were astonished at his weeping caused by what the Prophet ﷺ mentioned as to a Slave ( of Allah) who had been offered a choice, (we learned later on) that Messenger of Allah ﷺ himself was the person who was given the choice, and that Abu Bakr knew best of all of us. Messenger of Allah ﷺ added, "The person who has favored me most of all both with his company and wealth, is Abu Bakr. If I were to take a Khalil other than my Lord, I would have taken Abu Bakr as such, but (what relates us) is the Islamic brotherhood and friendliness. All the gates of the Mosque should be closed except the gate of Abu Bakr."  

خَطَبَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ النَّاسَ وَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَيَّرَ عَبْدًا بَيْنَ الدُّنْيَا وَبَيْنَ مَا عِنْدَهُ فَاخْتَارَ ذَلِكَ الْعَبْدُ مَا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ قَالَ فَبَكَى أَبُو بَكْرٍ فَعَجِبْنَا لِبُكَائِهِ أَنْ يُخْبِرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ عَنْ عَبْدٍ خُيِّرَ فَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ هُوَ الْمُخَيَّرُ

وَكَانَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ أَعْلَمَنَا فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِنَّ مِنْ أَمَنِّ النَّاسِ عَلَىَّ فِي صُحْبَتِهِ وَمَالِهِ أَبَا بَكْرٍ وَلَوْ كُنْتُ مُتَّخِذًا خَلِيلاً غَيْرَ رَبِّي لاَتَّخَذْتُ أَبَا بَكْرٍ وَلَكِنْ أُخُوَّةُ الإِسْلاَمِ وَمَوَدَّتُهُ لاَ يَبْقَيَنَّ فِي الْمَسْجِد ِباب إِلاَّ سُدَّ إِلاَّ باب أَبِي بَكْرٍ  

We used to compare the people as to who was better during the lifetime of Messenger of Allah ﷺ . We used to regard Abu Bakr as the best, then ʿUmar, and then ʿUthman .  

كُنَّا نُخَيِّرُ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ فِي زَمَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَنُخَيِّرُ أَبَا بَكْرٍ ثُمَّ عُمَرَ بْنَ الْخَطَّابِ ثُمَّ عُثْمَانَ بْنَ عَفَّانَ ؓ  

The Prophet ﷺ said, "If I were to take a Khalil, I would have taken Abu Bakr, but he is my brother and my companion (in Islam).  

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ وَلَوْ كُنْتُ مُتَّخِذًا مِنْ أُمَّتِي خَلِيلاً لاَتَّخَذْتُ أَبَا بَكْرٍ وَلَكِنْ أَخِي وَصَاحِبِي  

The Prophet ﷺ said, "If I were to take a Khalil, I would have taken him (i.e. Abu Bakr) as a Khalil, but the Islamic brotherhood is better."  

وَقَالَ لَوْ كُنْتُ مُتَّخِذًا خَلِيلاً لاَتَّخَذْتُهُ خَلِيلاً وَلَكِنْ أُخُوَّةُ الإِسْلاَمِ أَفْضَلُ  

The people of Kufa sent a letter to Ibn Az-Zubair, asking about (the inheritance of) (paternal) grandfather. He replied that the right of the inheritance of (paternal) grandfather is the same as that of father if the father is dead) and added, "Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, ' If I were to take a Khalil from this nation, I would have taken him (i.e. Abu Bakr).  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ لَوْ كُنْتُ مُتَّخِذًا مِنْ هَذِهِ الأُمَّةِ خَلِيلاً لاَتَّخَذْتُهُ أَنْزَلَهُ أَبًا يَعْنِي أَبَا بَكْرٍ  

A woman came to the Prophet ﷺ who ordered her to return to him again. She said, "What if I came and did not find you?" as if she wanted to say, "If I found you dead?" The Prophet ﷺ said, "If you should not find me, go to Abu Bakr."  

أَتَتِ امْرَأَةٌ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ فَأَمَرَهَا أَنْ تَرْجِعَ إِلَيْهِ قَالَتْ أَرَأَيْتَ إِنْ جِئْتُ وَلَمْ أَجِدْكَ كَأَنَّهَا تَقُولُ الْمَوْتَ قَالَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ إِنْ لَمْ تَجِدِينِي فَأْتِي أَبَا بَكْرٍ  

I saw Messenger of Allah ﷺ and there was none with him but five slaves, two women and Abu Bakr (i.e. those were the only converts to Islam then).  

سَمِعْتُ عَمَّارًا يَقُولُ رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَمَا مَعَهُ إِلاَّ خَمْسَةُ أَعْبُدٍ وَامْرَأَتَانِ وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ  

While I was sitting with the Prophet, Abu Bakr came, lifting up one corner of his garment uncovering his knee. The Prophet ﷺ said, "Your companion has had a quarrel." Abu Bakr greeted (the Prophet ﷺ ) and said, "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! There was something (i.e. quarrel) between me and the Son of Al-Khattab. I talked to him harshly and then regretted that, and requested him to forgive me, but he refused. This is why I have come to you." The Prophet ﷺ said thrice, "O Abu Bakr! May Allah forgive you." In the meanwhile, ʿUmar regretted (his refusal of Abu Bakr's excuse) and went to Abu Bakr's house and asked if Abu Bakr was there. They replied in the negative. So he came to the Prophet ﷺ and greeted him, but signs of displeasure appeared on the face of the Prophet ﷺ till Abu Bakr pitied (ʿUmar), so he knelt and said twice, "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! By Allah! I was more unjust to him (than he to me)." The Prophet ﷺ said, "Allah sent me (as a Prophet) to you (people) but you said (to me), 'You are telling a lie,' while Abu Bakr said, 'He has said the truth,' and consoled me with himself and his money." He then said twice, "Won't you then give up harming my companion?" After that nobody harmed Abu Bakr.  

كُنْتُ جَالِسًا عِنْدَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ إِذْ أَقْبَلَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ آخِذًا بِطَرَفِ ثَوْبِهِ حَتَّى أَبْدَى عَنْ رُكْبَتِهِ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ أَمَّا صَاحِبُكُمْ فَقَدْ غَامَرَ فَسَلَّمَ وَقَالَ إِنِّي كَانَ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ ابْنِ الْخَطَّابِ شَىْءٌ فَأَسْرَعْتُ إِلَيْهِ ثُمَّ نَدِمْتُ فَسَأَلْتُهُ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ لِي فَأَبَى عَلَىَّ فَأَقْبَلْتُ إِلَيْكَ فَقَالَ يَغْفِرُ اللَّهُ لَكَ يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ ثَلاَثًا ثُمَّ إِنَّ عُمَرَ نَدِمَ فَأَتَى مَنْزِلَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَسَأَلَ أَثَمَّ أَبُو بَكْرٍ فَقَالُوا لاَ فَأَتَى إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَسَلَّمَ فَجَعَلَ وَجْهُ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ يَتَمَعَّرُ حَتَّى أَشْفَقَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ فَجَثَا عَلَى رُكْبَتَيْهِ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهِ أَنَا كُنْتُ أَظْلَمَ مَرَّتَيْنِ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَعَثَنِي إِلَيْكُمْ فَقُلْتُمْ كَذَبْتَ وَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ صَدَقَ وَوَاسَانِي بِنَفْسِهِ وَمَالِهِ فَهَلْ أَنْتُمْ تَارِكُو لِي صَاحِبِي مَرَّتَيْنِ فَمَا أُوذِيَ بَعْدَهَا  

The Prophet ﷺ deputed me to read the Army of Dhat-as-Salasil. I came to him and said, "Who is the most beloved person to you?" He said, " ʿAisha." I asked, "Among the men?" He said, "Her father." I said, "Who then?" He said, "Then ʿUmar bin Al-Khattab." He then named other men.  

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ بَعَثَهُ عَلَى جَيْشِ ذَاتِ السَّلاَسِلِ فَأَتَيْتُهُ فَقُلْتُ أَىُّ النَّاسِ أَحَبُّ إِلَيْكَ قَالَ عَائِشَةُ فَقُلْتُ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ فَقَالَ أَبُوهَا قُلْتُ ثُمَّ مَنْ قَالَ ثُمَّ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ فَعَدَّ رِجَالاً  

I heard Messenger of Allah ﷺ saying, "While a shepherd was amongst his sheep, a wolf attacked them and took away one sheep. When the shepherd chased the wolf, the wolf turned towards him and said, 'Who will be its guard on the day of wild animals when nobody except I will be its shepherd. And while a man was driving a cow with a load on it, it turned towards him and spoke to him saying, 'I have not been created for this purpose, but for ploughing." The people said, "Glorified be Allah." The Prophet said, "But I believe in it and so does Abu Bakr end ʿUmar."  

سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ بَيْنَمَا رَاعٍ فِي غَنَمِهِ عَدَا عَلَيْهِ الذِّئْبُ فَأَخَذَ مِنْهَا شَاةً فَطَلَبَهُ الرَّاعِي فَالْتَفَتَ إِلَيْهِ الذِّئْبُ فَقَالَ مَنْ لَهَا يَوْمَ السَّبُعِ يَوْمَ لَيْسَ لَهَا رَاعٍ غَيْرِي وَبَيْنَا رَجُلٌ يَسُوقُ بَقَرَةً قَدْ حَمَلَ عَلَيْهَا فَالْتَفَتَتْ إِلَيْهِ فَكَلَّمَتْهُ فَقَالَتْ إِنِّي لَمْ أُخْلَقْ لِهَذَا وَلَكِنِّي خُلِقْتُ لِلْحَرْثِ قَالَ النَّاسُ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ فَإِنِّي أُومِنُ بِذَلِكَ وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ ؓ  

I heard Messenger of Allah ﷺ saying, "While I was sleeping, I saw myself standing at a well, on it there was a bucket. I drew water from the well as much as Allah wished. Then Ibn Abi Quhafa (i.e. Abu Bakr) took the bucket from me and brought out one or two buckets (of water) and there was weakness in his drawing the water. May Allah forgive his weakness for him. Then the bucket turned into a very big one and Ibn Al-Khattab took it over and I had never seen such a mighty person amongst the people as him in performing such hard work, till the people drank to their satisfaction and watered their camels that knelt down there."  

سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ يَقُولُ بَيْنَا أَنَا نَائِمٌ رَأَيْتُنِي عَلَى قَلِيبٍ عَلَيْهَا دَلْوٌ فَنَزَعْتُ مِنْهَا مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ ثُمَّ أَخَذَهَا ابْنُ أَبِي قُحَافَةَ فَنَزَعَ بِهَا ذَنُوبًا أَوْ ذَنُوبَيْنِ وَفِي نَزْعِهِ ضَعْفٌ وَاللَّهُ يَغْفِرُ لَهُ ضَعْفَهُ ثُمَّ اسْتَحَالَتْ غَرْبًا فَأَخَذَهَا ابْنُ الْخَطَّابِ فَلَمْ أَرَ عَبْقَرِيًّا مِنَ النَّاسِ يَنْزِعُ نَزْعَ عُمَرَ حَتَّى ضَرَبَ النَّاسُ بِعَطَنٍ  

That Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "Allah will not look on the Day of Judgment at him who drags his robe (behind him) out of pride." Abu Bakr said "One side of my robe slacks down unless I get very cautious about it." Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "But you do not do that with a pride."  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَنْ جَرَّ ثَوْبَهُ خُيَلاَءَ لَمْ يَنْظُرِ اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ إِنَّ أَحَدَ شِقَّىْ ثَوْبِي يَسْتَرْخِي إِلاَّ أَنْ أَتَعَاهَدَ ذَلِكَ مِنْهُ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِنَّكَ لَسْتَ تَصْنَعُ ذَلِكَ خُيَلاَءَ قَالَ مُوسَى فَقُلْتُ لِسَالِمٍ أَذَكَرَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ مَنْ جَرَّ إِزَارَهُ قَالَ لَمْ أَسْمَعْهُ ذَكَرَ إِلاَّ ثَوْبَهُ  

I heard Messenger of Allah ﷺ saying, "Anybody who spends a pair of something in Allah's Cause will be called from all the gates of Paradise, "O Allah's slave! This is good.' He who is amongst those who pray will be called from the gate of the prayer (in Paradise) and he who is from the people of Jihad will be called from the gate of Jihad, and he who is from those' who give in charity (i.e. Zakat) will be called from the gate of charity, and he who is amongst those who observe fast will be called from the gate of fasting, the gate of Raiyan." Abu Bakr said, "He who is called from all those gates will need nothing," He added, "Will anyone be called from all those gates, O Messenger of Allah ﷺ?" He said, "Yes, and I hope you will be among those, O Abu Bakr."  

سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ مَنْ أَنْفَقَ زَوْجَيْنِ مِنْ شَىْءٍ مِنَ الأَشْيَاءِ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ دُعِيَ مِنْ أَبْوَابِ يَعْنِي الْجَنَّةَ يَا عَبْدَ اللَّهِ هَذَا خَيْرٌ فَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الصَّلاَةِ دُعِيَ مِنْ باب الصَّلاَةِ وَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجِهَادِ دُعِيَ مِنْ باب الْجِهَادِ وَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الصَّدَقَةِ دُعِيَ مِنْ باب الصَّدَقَةِ وَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الصِّيَامِ دُعِيَ مِنْ باب الصِّيَامِ وَبَابِ الرَّيَّانِ فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ مَا عَلَى هَذَا الَّذِي يُدْعَى مِنْ تِلْكَ الأَبْوَابِ مِنْ ضَرُورَةٍ وَقَالَ هَلْ يُدْعَى مِنْهَا كُلِّهَا أَحَدٌ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ وَأَرْجُو أَنْ تَكُونَ مِنْهُمْ يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ  

(the wife of the Prophet) Messenger of Allah ﷺ died while Abu Bakr was at a place called As-Sunah (Al-'Aliya) 'Umar stood up and said, "By Allah! Messenger of Allah ﷺ is not dead!" 'Umar (later on) said, "By Allah! Nothing occurred to my mind except that." He said, "Verily! Allah will resurrect him and he will cut the hands and legs of some men." Then Abu Bakr came and uncovered the face of Messenger of Allah ﷺ, kissed him and said, "Let my mother and father be sacrificed for you, (O Messenger of Allah ﷺ), you are good in life and in death. By Allah in Whose Hands my life is, Allah will never make you taste death twice." Then he went out and said, "O oath-taker! Don't be hasty." When Abu Bakr spoke, 'Umar sat down. Abu Bakr praised and glorified Allah and said, No doubt! Whoever worshipped Muhammad, then Muhammad is dead, but whoever worshipped Allah, then Allah is Alive and shall never die." Then he recited Allah's Statement.:-- "(O Muhammad) Verily you will die, and they also will die." (39.30) He also recited:-- "Muhammad is no more than an Apostle; and indeed many Apostles have passed away, before him, If he dies Or is killed, will you then Turn back on your heels? And he who turns back On his heels, not the least Harm will he do to Allah And Allah will give reward to those Who are grateful." (3.144) The people wept loudly, and the Ansar were assembled with Sad bin 'Ubada in the shed of Bani Saida. They said (to the emigrants). "There should be one 'Amir from us and one from you." Then Abu Bakr, Umar bin Al-Khattab and Abu 'baida bin Al-Jarrah went to them. 'Umar wanted to speak but Abu Bakr stopped him. 'Umar later on used to say, "By Allah, I intended only to say something that appealed to me and I was afraid that Abu Bakr would not speak so well. Then Abu Bakr spoke and his speech was very eloquent. He said in his statement, "We are the rulers and you (Ansars) are the ministers (i.e. advisers)," Hubab bin Al-Mundhir said, "No, by Allah we won't accept this. But there must be a ruler from us and a ruler from you." Abu Bakr said, "No, we will be the rulers and you will be the ministers, for they (i.e. Quarish) are the best family amongst the 'Arabs and of best origin. So you should elect either 'Umar or Abu 'Ubaida bin Al-Jarrah as your ruler." 'Umar said (to Abu Bakr), "No but we elect you, for you are our chief and the best amongst us and the most beloved of all of us to Messenger of Allah ﷺ." So 'Umar took Abu Bakr's hand and gave the pledge of allegiance and the people too gave the pledge of allegiance to Abu Bakr. Someone said, "You have killed Sad bin Ubada." 'Umar said, "Allah has killed him."  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَاتَ وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ بِالسُّنْحِ قَالَ إِسْمَاعِيلُ يَعْنِي بِالْعَالِيَةِ فَقَامَ عُمَرُ يَقُولُ وَاللَّهِ مَا مَاتَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَتْ وَقَالَ عُمَرُ وَاللَّهِ مَا كَانَ يَقَعُ فِي نَفْسِي إِلاَّ ذَاكَ وَلَيَبْعَثَنَّهُ اللَّهُ فَلَيَقْطَعَنَّ أَيْدِيَ رِجَالٍ وَأَرْجُلَهُمْ فَجَاءَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ فَكَشَفَ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقَبَّلَهُ قَالَ بِأَبِي أَنْتَ وَأُمِّي طِبْتَ حَيًّا وَمَيِّتًا وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ لاَ يُذِيقُكَ اللَّهُ الْمَوْتَتَيْنِ أَبَدًا ثُمَّ خَرَجَ فَقَالَ أَيُّهَا الْحَالِفُ عَلَى رِسْلِكَ فَلَمَّا تَكَلَّمَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ جَلَسَ عُمَرُ فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَأَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ وَقَالَ أَلاَ مَنْ كَانَ يَعْبُدُ مُحَمَّدًا ﷺ فَإِنَّ مُحَمَّدًا قَدْ مَاتَ وَمَنْ كَانَ يَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ حَىٌّ لاَ يَمُوتُ وَقَالَ {إِنَّكَ مَيِّتٌ وَإِنَّهُمْ مَيِّتُونَ} وَقَالَ {وَمَا مُحَمَّدٌ إِلاَّ رَسُولٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِنْ قَبْلِهِ الرُّسُلُ أَفَإِنْ مَاتَ أَوْ قُتِلَ انْقَلَبْتُمْ عَلَى أَعْقَابِكُمْ وَمَنْ يَنْقَلِبْ عَلَى عَقِبَيْهِ فَلَنْ يَضُرَّ اللَّهَ شَيْئًا وَسَيَجْزِي اللَّهُ الشَّاكِرِينَ} قَالَ فَنَشَجَ النَّاسُ يَبْكُونَ قَالَ وَاجْتَمَعَتِ الأَنْصَارُ إِلَى سَعْدِ بْنِ عُبَادَةَ فِي سَقِيفَةِ بَنِي سَاعِدَةَ فَقَالُوا مِنَّا أَمِيرٌ وَمِنْكُمْ أَمِيرٌ فَذَهَبَ إِلَيْهِمْ أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ وَأَبُو عُبَيْدَةَ بْنُ الْجَرَّاحِ فَذَهَبَ عُمَرُ يَتَكَلَّمُ فَأَسْكَتَهُ أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَكَانَ عُمَرُ يَقُولُ وَاللَّهِ مَا أَرَدْتُ بِذَلِكَ إِلاَّ أَنِّي قَدْ هَيَّأْتُ كَلاَمًا قَدْ أَعْجَبَنِي خَشِيتُ أَنْ لاَ يَبْلُغَهُ أَبُو بَكْرٍ ثُمَّ تَكَلَّمَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ فَتَكَلَّمَ أَبْلَغَ النَّاسِ فَقَالَ فِي كَلاَمِهِ نَحْنُ الأُمَرَاءُ وَأَنْتُمُ الْوُزَرَاءُ فَقَالَ حُبَابُ بْنُ الْمُنْذِرِ لاَ وَاللَّهِ لاَ نَفْعَلُ مِنَّا أَمِيرٌ وَمِنْكُمْ أَمِيرٌ فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ لاَ وَلَكِنَّا الأُمَرَاءُ وَأَنْتُمُ الْوُزَرَاءُ هُمْ أَوْسَطُ الْعَرَبِ دَارًا وَأَعْرَبُهُمْ أَحْسَابًا فَبَايِعُوا عُمَرَ أَوْ أَبَا عُبَيْدَةَ فَقَالَ عُمَرُ بَلْ نُبَايِعُكَ أَنْتَ فَأَنْتَ سَيِّدُنَا وَخَيْرُنَا وَأَحَبُّنَا إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَأَخَذَ عُمَرُ بِيَدِهِ فَبَايَعَهُ وَبَايَعَهُ النَّاسُ فَقَالَ قَائِلٌ قَتَلْتُمْ سَعْدَ بْنَ عُبَادَةَ فَقَالَ عُمَرُ قَتَلَهُ اللَّهُ  

-- "Muhammad is no more than an Apostle and indeed many Apostles have passed away before him.." (3.144)  

شَخَصَ بَصَرُ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ ثُمَّ قَالَ فِي الرَّفِيقِ الأَعْلَى ثَلاَثًا وَقَصَّ الْحَدِيثَ قَالَتْ فَمَا كَانَتْ مِنْ خُطْبَتِهِمَا مِنْ خُطْبَةٍ إِلاَّ نَفَعَ اللَّهُ بِهَا لَقَدْ خَوَّفَ عُمَرُ النَّاسَ وَإِنَّ فِيهِمْ لَنِفَاقًا فَرَدَّهُمُ اللَّهُ بِذَلِكَ ثُمَّ لَقَدْ بَصَّرَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ النَّاسَ الْهُدَى وَعَرَّفَهُمُ الْحَقَّ الَّذِي عَلَيْهِمْ وَخَرَجُوا بِهِ يَتْلُونَ {وَمَا مُحَمَّدٌ إِلاَّ رَسُولٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِنْ قَبْلِهِ الرُّسُلُ} إِلَى {الشَّاكِرِينَ}  

I asked my father (ʿAli bin Abi Talib), "Who are the best people after Messenger of Allah ﷺ ?" He said, "Abu Bakr." I asked, "Who then?" He said, "Then ʿUmar. " I was afraid he would say "Uthman, so I said, "Then you?" He said, "I am only an ordinary person.  

قُلْتُ لأَبِي أَىُّ النَّاسِ خَيْرٌ بَعْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ قُلْتُ ثُمَّ مَنْ قَالَ ثُمَّ عُمَرُ وَخَشِيتُ أَنْ يَقُولَ عُثْمَانُ قُلْتُ ثُمَّ أَنْتَ قَالَ مَا أَنَا إِلاَّ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ  

We went out with Messenger of Allah ﷺ on one of his journeys till we reached Al-Baida or Dhatul-Jaish where my necklace got broken (and lost). Messenger of Allah ﷺ stopped to search for it and the people too stopped with him. There was no water at that place and they had no water with them. So they went to Abu Bakr and said, "Don't you see what ʿAisha has done? She has made Messenger of Allah ﷺ and the people stop where there is no water and they have no water with them. Abu Bakr came while Allah's Apostle was sleeping with his head on my thigh and said, "You detained Allah Apostle and the people where there is no water and they have no water." He then admonished me and said what Allah wished and pinched me at my flanks with his hands, but I did not move because the head of Messenger of Allah ﷺ was on my thigh . Messenger of Allah ﷺ kept on sleeping till be got up in the morning and found no water. Then Allah revealed the Divine Verse of Tayammum, and the people performed Tayammum. Usaid bin AlHudair said. "O family of Abu Bakr! This is not the first blessings of yours." We urged the camel on which I was sitting to get up from its place and the necklace was found under it.  

أَنَّهَا قَالَتْ خَرَجْنَا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِي بَعْضِ أَسْفَارِهِ حَتَّى إِذَا كُنَّا بِالْبَيْدَاءِ أَوْ بِذَاتِ الْجَيْشِ انْقَطَعَ عِقْدٌ لِي فَأَقَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ عَلَى الْتِمَاسِهِ وَأَقَامَ النَّاسُ مَعَهُ وَلَيْسُوا عَلَى مَاءٍ وَلَيْسَ مَعَهُمْ مَاءٌ فَأَتَى النَّاسُ أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَقَالُوا أَلاَ تَرَى مَا صَنَعَتْ عَائِشَةُ أَقَامَتْ بِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَبِالنَّاسِ مَعَهُ وَلَيْسُوا عَلَى مَاءٍ وَلَيْسَ مَعَهُمْ مَاءٌ فَجَاءَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَاضِعٌ رَأْسَهُ عَلَى فَخِذِي قَدْ نَامَ فَقَالَ حَبَسْتِ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَالنَّاسَ وَلَيْسُوا عَلَى مَاءٍ وَلَيْسَ مَعَهُمْ مَاءٌ قَالَتْ فَعَاتَبَنِي وَقَالَ مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ أَنْ يَقُولَ وَجَعَلَ يَطْعُنُنِي بِيَدِهِ فِي خَاصِرَتِي فَلاَ يَمْنَعُنِي مِنَ التَّحَرُّكِ إِلاَّ مَكَانُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ عَلَى فَخِذِي فَنَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ حَتَّى أَصْبَحَ عَلَى غَيْرِ مَاءٍ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ آيَةَ التَّيَمُّمِ فَتَيَمَّمُوا فَقَالَ أُسَيْدُ بْنُ الْحُضَيْرِ مَا هِيَ بِأَوَّلِ بَرَكَتِكُمْ يَا آلَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَقَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَبَعَثْنَا الْبَعِيرَ الَّذِي كُنْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَوَجَدْنَا الْعِقْدَ تَحْتَهُ  

The Prophet ﷺ said, "Do not abuse my companions for if any one of you spent gold equal to Uhud (in Allah's Cause) it would not be equal to a Mudd or even a half Mudd spent by one of them."  

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ «لاَ تَسُبُّوا أَصْحَابِي! فَلَوْ أَنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ أَنْفَقَ مِثْلَ أُحُدٍ ذَهَبًا مَا بَلَغَ مُدَّ أَحَدِهِمْ وَلاَ نَصِيفَهُ۔»  

I performed ablution in my house and then went out and said, "Today I shall stick to Messenger of Allah ﷺ and stay with him all this day of mine (in his service)." I went to the Mosque and asked about the Prophet . They said, "He had gone in this direction." So I followed his way, asking about him till he entered a place called Bir Aris. I sat at its gate that was made of date-palm leaves till the Prophet ﷺ finished answering the call of nature and performed ablution. Then I went up to him to see him sitting at the well of Aris at the middle of its edge with his legs uncovered, hanging in the well. I greeted him and went back and sat at the gate. I said, "Today I will be the gatekeeper of the Prophet." Abu Bakr came and pushed the gate. I asked, "Who is it?" He said, "Abu Bakr." I told him to wait, went in and said, "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! Abu Bakr asks for permission to enter." He said, "Admit him and give him the glad tidings that he will be in Paradise." So I went out and said to Abu Bakr, "Come in, and Messenger of Allah ﷺ gives you the glad tidings that you will be in Paradise" Abu Bakr entered and sat on the right side of Messenger of Allah ﷺ on the built edge of the well and hung his legs n the well as the Prophet ﷺ did and uncovered his legs. I then returned and sat (at the gate). I had left my brother performing ablution and he intended to follow me. So I said (to myself). "If Allah wants good for so-and-so (i.e. my brother) He will bring him here." Suddenly somebody moved the door. I asked, "Who is it?" He said, "ʿUmar bin Al-Khattab." I asked him to wait, went to Messenger of Allah ﷺ, greeted him and said, ʿUmar bin Al-Khattab asks the permission to enter." He said, "Admit him, and give him the glad tidings that he will be in Paradise." I went to "ʿUmar and said "Come in, and Messenger of Allah ﷺ, gives you the glad tidings that you will be in Paradise." So he entered and sat beside Messenger of Allah ﷺ on the built edge of the well on the left side and hung his legs in the well. I returned and sat (at the gate) and said, (to myself), "If Allah wants good for so-and-so, He will bring him here." Somebody came and moved the door. I asked "Who is it?" He replied, "Uthman bin ʿAffan." I asked him to wait and went to the Prophet ﷺ and informed him. He said, "Admit him, and give him the glad tidings of entering Paradise, I asked him to wait and went to the Prophet ﷺ and informed him. He said, "Adult him, and give him the glad tidings of entering Paradise after a calamity that will befall him." So I went up to him and said to him, "Come in; Allah's Apostle gives you the glad tidings of entering Paradise after a calamity that will befall you. "Uthman then came in and found that the built edge of the well was occupied, so he sat opposite to the Prophet ﷺ on the other side. Saʿid bin Al-Musaiyab said, "I interpret this (narration) in terms of their graves."  

أَنَّهُ تَوَضَّأَ فِي بَيْتِهِ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ فَقُلْتُ لأَلْزَمَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَلأَكُونَنَّ مَعَهُ يَوْمِي هَذَا قَالَ فَجَاءَ الْمَسْجِدَ فَسَأَلَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَقَالُوا خَرَجَ وَوَجَّهَ هَا هُنَا فَخَرَجْتُ عَلَى إِثْرِهِ أَسْأَلُ عَنْهُ حَتَّى دَخَلَ بِئْرَ أَرِيسٍ فَجَلَسْتُ عِنْدَ الْبَابِ وَبَابُهَا مِنْ جَرِيدٍ حَتَّى قَضَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ حَاجَتَهُ فَتَوَضَّأَ فَقُمْتُ إِلَيْهِ فَإِذَا هُوَ جَالِسٌ عَلَى بِئْرِ أَرِيسٍ وَتَوَسَّطَ قُفَّهَا وَكَشَفَ عَنْ سَاقَيْهِ وَدَلاَّهُمَا فِي الْبِئْرِ فَسَلَّمْتُ عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ انْصَرَفْتُ فَجَلَسْتُ عِنْدَ الْبَابِ فَقُلْتُ لأَكُونَنَّ بَوَّابَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ الْيَوْمَ فَجَاءَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ فَدَفَعَ الْبَابَ فَقُلْتُ مَنْ هَذَا فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ فَقُلْتُ عَلَى رِسْلِكَ ثُمَّ ذَهَبْتُ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ هَذَا أَبُو بَكْرٍ يَسْتَأْذِنُ فَقَالَ ائْذَنْ لَهُ وَبَشِّرْهُ بِالْجَنَّةِ فَأَقْبَلْتُ حَتَّى قُلْتُ لأَبِي بَكْرٍ ادْخُلْ وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يُبَشِّرُكَ بِالْجَنَّةِ فَدَخَلَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ فَجَلَسَ عَنْ يَمِينِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَعَهُ فِي الْقُفِّ وَدَلَّى رِجْلَيْهِ فِي الْبِئْرِ كَمَا صَنَعَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ وَكَشَفَ عَنْ سَاقَيْهِ ثُمَّ رَجَعْتُ فَجَلَسْتُ وَقَدْ تَرَكْتُ أَخِي يَتَوَضَّأُ وَيَلْحَقُنِي فَقُلْتُ إِنْ يُرِدِ اللَّهُ بِفُلاَنٍ خَيْرًا يُرِيدُ أَخَاهُ يَأْتِ بِهِ فَإِذَا إِنْسَانٌ يُحَرِّكُ الْبَابَ فَقُلْتُ مَنْ هَذَا فَقَالَ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ فَقُلْتُ عَلَى رِسْلِكَ ثُمَّ جِئْتُ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَسَلَّمْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَقُلْتُ هَذَا عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ يَسْتَأْذِنُ فَقَالَ ائْذَنْ لَهُ وَبَشِّرْهُ بِالْجَنَّةِ فَجِئْتُ فَقُلْتُ ادْخُلْ وَبَشَّرَكَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ بِالْجَنَّةِ فَدَخَلَ فَجَلَسَ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِي الْقُفِّ عَنْ يَسَارِهِ وَدَلَّى رِجْلَيْهِ فِي الْبِئْرِ ثُمَّ رَجَعْتُ فَجَلَسْتُ فَقُلْتُ إِنْ يُرِدِ اللَّهُ بِفُلاَنٍ خَيْرًا يَأْتِ بِهِ فَجَاءَ إِنْسَانٌ يُحَرِّكُ الْبَابَ فَقُلْتُ مَنْ هَذَا فَقَالَ عُثْمَانُ بْنُ عَفَّانَ فَقُلْتُ عَلَى رِسْلِكَ فَجِئْتُ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَأَخْبَرْتُهُ فَقَالَ ائْذَنْ لَهُ وَبَشِّرْهُ بِالْجَنَّةِ عَلَى بَلْوَى تُصِيبُهُ فَجِئْتُهُ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ ادْخُلْ وَبَشَّرَكَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ بِالْجَنَّةِ عَلَى بَلْوَى تُصِيبُكَ فَدَخَلَ فَوَجَدَ الْقُفَّ قَدْ مُلِئَ فَجَلَسَ وُجَاهَهُ مِنَ الشِّقِّ الآخَرِ قَالَ شَرِيكٌ قَالَ سَعِيدُ بْنُ الْمُسَيَّبِ فَأَوَّلْتُهَا قُبُورَهُمْ  

The Prophet ﷺ once climbed the mountain of Uhud with Abu Bakr, ʿUmar and ʿUthman. The mountain shook with them. The Prophet ﷺ said (to the mountain), "Be firm, O Uhud! For on you there are no more than a Prophet, a Siddiq and two martyrs.  

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ صَعِدَ أُحُدًا وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرُ وَعُثْمَانُ فَرَجَفَ بِهِمْ فَقَالَ اثْبُتْ أُحُدُ فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْكَ نَبِيٌّ وَصِدِّيقٌ وَشَهِيدَانِ  

Messenger of Allah ﷺ said. "While (in a dream), I was standing by a well, drawing water from it. Abu Bakr and ʿUmar came to me. Abu Bakr took the bucket (from me) and drew one or two buckets of water, and there was some weakness in his drawing. May Allah forgive him. Then Ibn Al-Khattab took the bucket from Abu Bakr, and the bucket turned into a very large one in his hands. I had never seen such a mighty person amongst the people as him in performing such hard work. He drew so much water that the people drank to their satisfaction and watered their camels." (Wahab, a sub-narrator said, "till their camels drank and knelt down.")  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ بَيْنَمَا أَنَا عَلَى بِئْرٍ أَنْزِعُ مِنْهَا جَاءَنِي أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرُ فَأَخَذَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ الدَّلْوَ فَنَزَعَ ذَنُوبًا أَوْ ذَنُوبَيْنِ وَفِي نَزْعِهِ ضَعْفٌ وَاللَّهُ يَغْفِرُ لَهُ ثُمَّ أَخَذَهَا ابْنُ الْخَطَّابِ مِنْ يَدِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَاسْتَحَالَتْ فِي يَدِهِ غَرْبًا فَلَمْ أَرَ عَبْقَرِيًّا مِنَ النَّاسِ يَفْرِي فَرِيَّهُ فَنَزَعَ حَتَّى ضَرَبَ النَّاسُ بِعَطَنٍ قَالَ وَهْبٌ الْعَطَنُ مَبْرَكُ الإِبِلِ يَقُولُ حَتَّى رَوِيَتِ الإِبِلُ فَأَنَاخَتْ  

While I was standing amongst the people who were invoking Allah for ʿUmar bin Al-Khattab who was lying (dead) on his bed, a man behind me rested his elbows on my shoulder and said, "(O ʿUmar!) May Allah bestow His Mercy on you. I always hoped that Allah will keep you with your two companions, for I often heard Messenger of Allah ﷺ saying, "I, Abu Bakr and ʿUmar were (somewhere). I, Abu Bakr and ʿUmar did (something). I, Abu Bakr and ʿUmar set out.' So I hoped that Allah will keep you with both of them." I turned back to see that the speaker was ʿAli bin Abi Talib.  

أَنْ يَجْعَلَكَ اللَّهُ مَعَ صَاحِبَيْكَ لأَنِّي كَثِيرًا مِمَّا كُنْتُ أَسْمَعُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ كُنْتُ وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرُ وَفَعَلْتُ وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرُ وَانْطَلَقْتُ وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرُ فَإِنْ كُنْتُ لأَرْجُو أَنْ يَجْعَلَكَ اللَّهُ مَعَهُمَا فَالْتَفَتُّ فَإِذَا هُوَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ  

I asked ʿAbdullah bin ʿAmr, "What was the worst thing the pagans did to Messenger of Allah ﷺ?" He said, "I saw ʿUqba bin Abi Mu'ait coming to the Prophet ﷺ while he was praying.' ʿUqba put his sheet round the Prophet's neck and squeezed it very severely. Abu Bakr came and pulled ʿUqba away from the Prophet and said, "Do you intend to kill a man just because he says: 'My Lord is Allah, and he has brought forth to you the Evident Signs from your Lord?"  

عَنْ أَشَدِّ مَا صَنَعَ الْمُشْرِكُونَ بِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ رَأَيْتُ عُقْبَةَ بْنَ أَبِي مُعَيْطٍ جَاءَ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ وَهُوَ يُصَلِّي فَوَضَعَ رِدَاءَهُ فِي عُنُقِهِ فَخَنَقَهُ بِهِ خَنْقًا شَدِيدًا فَجَاءَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ حَتَّى دَفَعَهُ عَنْهُ فَقَالَ أَتَقْتُلُونَ رَجُلاً أَنْ يَقُولَ رَبِّيَ اللَّهُ وَقَدْ جَاءَكُمْ بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ  

The Prophet ﷺ said, "I saw myself (in a dream) entering Paradise, and behold! I saw Ar-Rumaisa', Abu Talha's wife. I heard footsteps. I asked, Who is it? Somebody said, 'It is Bilal ' Then I saw a palace and a lady sitting in its courtyard. I asked, 'For whom is this palace?' Somebody replied, 'It is for ʿUmar.' I intended to enter it and see it, but I thought of your (ʿUmar's) Ghira (and gave up the attempt)." ʿUmar said, "Let my parents be sacrificed for you, O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! How dare I think of my Ghira (self-respect) being offended by you?  

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ رَأَيْتُنِي دَخَلْتُ الْجَنَّةَ فَإِذَا أَنَا بِالرُّمَيْصَاءِ امْرَأَةِ أَبِي طَلْحَةَ وَسَمِعْتُ خَشَفَةً فَقُلْتُ مَنْ هَذَا فَقَالَ هَذَا بِلاَلٌ وَرَأَيْتُ قَصْرًا بِفِنَائِهِ جَارِيَةٌ فَقُلْتُ لِمَنْ هَذَا فَقَالَ لِعُمَرَ فَأَرَدْتُ أَنْ أَدْخُلَهُ فَأَنْظُرَ إِلَيْهِ فَذَكَرْتُ غَيْرَتَكَ فَقَالَ عُمَرُ بِأُمِّي وَأَبِي يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَعَلَيْكَ أَغَارُ  

While we were with Messenger of Allah ﷺ he said, "While I was sleeping, I saw myself in Paradise, and suddenly I saw a woman performing ablution beside a palace. I asked, 'For whom is this palace?' They replied, 'It is for ʿUmar.' Then I remembered ʿUmar's Ghira (self-respect) and went away quickly." ʿUmar wept and said, O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! How dare I think of my ghira (self-respect) being offended by you?  

بَيْنَا نَحْنُ عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِذْ قَالَ بَيْنَا أَنَا نَائِمٌ رَأَيْتُنِي فِي الْجَنَّةِ فَإِذَا امْرَأَةٌ تَتَوَضَّأُ إِلَى جَانِبِ قَصْرٍ فَقُلْتُ لِمَنْ هَذَا الْقَصْرُ قَالُوا لِعُمَرَ فَذَكَرْتُ غَيْرَتَهُ فَوَلَّيْتُ مُدْبِرًا فَبَكَى وَقَالَ أَعَلَيْكَ أَغَارُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ  

Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "While I was sleeping, I saw myself drinking (i.e. milk), and I was so contented that I saw the milk flowing through my nails. Then I gave (the milk) to ʿUmar." They (i.e. the companions of the Prophet) asked, "What do you interpret it?" He said, "Knowledge."  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ بَيْنَا أَنَا نَائِمٌ شَرِبْتُ يَعْنِي اللَّبَنَ حَتَّى أَنْظُرُ إِلَى الرِّيِّ يَجْرِي فِي ظُفُرِي أَوْ فِي أَظْفَارِي ثُمَّ نَاوَلْتُ عُمَرَ فَقَالُوا فَمَا أَوَّلْتَهُ قَالَ الْعِلْمَ  

The Prophet ﷺ said, "In a dream I saw myself drawing water from a well with a bucket. Abu Bakr came and drew a bucket or two weakly. May Allah forgive him. Then ʿUmar bin Al-Khattab came and the bucket turned into a very large one in his hands. I had never seen such a mighty person as he in doing such hard work till all the people drank to their satisfaction and watered their camels that knelt down there.  

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ قَالَ أُرِيتُ فِي الْمَنَامِ أَنِّي أَنْزِعُ بِدَلْوِ بَكْرَةٍ عَلَى قَلِيبٍ فَجَاءَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ فَنَزَعَ ذَنُوبًا أَوْ ذَنُوبَيْنِ نَزْعًا ضَعِيفًا وَاللَّهُ يَغْفِرُ لَهُ ثُمَّ جَاءَ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ فَاسْتَحَالَتْ غَرْبًا فَلَمْ أَرَ عَبْقَرِيًّا يَفْرِي فَرِيَّهُ حَتَّى رَوِيَ النَّاسُ وَضَرَبُوا بِعَطَنٍ قَالَ ابْنُ جُبَيْرٍ الْعَبْقَرِيُّ عِتَاقُ الزَّرَابِيِّ وَقَالَ يَحْيَى الزَّرَابِيُّ الطَّنَافِسُ لَهَا خَمْلٌ رَقِيقٌ {مَبْثُوثَةٌ} كَثِيرَةٌ  

ʿUmar bin Al-Khattab asked the permission of Messenger of Allah ﷺ to see him while some Quraishi women were sitting with him, talking to him and asking him for more expenses, raising their voices above the voice of Messenger of Allah ﷺ. When ʿUmar asked for the permission to enter, the women quickly put on their veils. Allah'sf Apostle allowed him to enter and ʿUmar came in while Messenger of Allah ﷺ was smiling, ʿUmar said "O Allah's Apostle! May Allah always keep you smiling." The Prophet ﷺ said, "These women who have been here, roused my wonder, for as soon as they heard your voice, they quickly put on their veils. "ʿUmar said, "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! You have more right to be feared by them than I." Then ʿUmar addressed the women saying, "O enemies of yourselves! You fear me more than you do Messenger of Allah ﷺ ?" They said, "Yes, for you are harsher and sterner than Messenger of Allah ﷺ." Then Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "O Ibn Al-Khattab! By Him in Whose Hands my life is! Never does Satan find you going on a way, but he takes another way other than yours."  

اسْتَأْذَنَ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَعِنْدَهُ نِسْوَةٌ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ يُكَلِّمْنَهُ وَيَسْتَكْثِرْنَهُ عَالِيَةً أَصْوَاتُهُنَّ عَلَى صَوْتِهِ فَلَمَّا اسْتَأْذَنَ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ قُمْنَ فَبَادَرْنَ الْحِجَابَ فَأَذِنَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَدَخَلَ عُمَرُ وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَضْحَكُ فَقَالَ عُمَرُ أَضْحَكَ اللَّهُ سِنَّكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ عَجِبْتُ مِنْ هَؤُلاَءِ اللاَّتِي كُنَّ عِنْدِي فَلَمَّا سَمِعْنَ صَوْتَكَ ابْتَدَرْنَ الْحِجَابِ فَقَالَ عُمَرُ فَأَنْتَ أَحَقُّ أَنْ يَهَبْنَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ عُمَرُ يَا عَدُوَّاتِ أَنْفُسِهِنَّ أَتَهَبْنَنِي وَلاَ تَهَبْنَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقُلْنَ نَعَمْ أَنْتَ أَفَظُّ وَأَغْلَظُ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِيهًا يَا ابْنَ الْخَطَّابِ وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ مَا لَقِيَكَ الشَّيْطَانُ سَالِكًا فَجًّا قَطُّ إِلاَّ سَلَكَ فَجًّا غَيْرَ فَجِّكَ  

We have been powerful since ʿUmar embraced Islam.  

عَبْدُ اللَّهِ مَا زِلْنَا أَعِزَّةً مُنْذُ أَسْلَمَ عُمَرُ  

When (the dead body of) ʿUmar was put on his deathbed, the people gathered around him and invoked (Allah) and prayed for him before the body was taken away, and I was amongst them. Suddenly I felt somebody taking hold of my shoulder and found out that he was ʿAli bin Abi Talib. ʿAli invoked Allah's Mercy for ʿUmar and said, "O ʿUmar! You have not left behind you a person whose deeds I like to imitate and meet Allah with more than I like your deeds. By Allah! I always thought that Allah would keep you with your two companions, for very often I used to hear the Prophet ﷺ saying, 'I, Abu Bakr and ʿUmar went (somewhere); I, Abu Bakr and ʿUmar entered (somewhere); and I, Abu Bakr and ʿUmar went out."'  

أَنْ يُرْفَعَ وَأَنَا فِيهِمْ فَلَمْ يَرُعْنِي إِلاَّ رَجُلٌ آخِذٌ مَنْكِبِي فَإِذَا عَلِيٌّ فَتَرَحَّمَ عَلَى عُمَرَ وَقَالَ مَا خَلَّفْتَ أَحَدًا أَحَبَّ إِلَىَّ أَنْ أَلْقَى اللَّهَ بِمِثْلِ عَمَلِهِ مِنْكَ وَايْمُ اللَّهِ إِنْ كُنْتُ لأَظُنُّ أَنْ يَجْعَلَكَ اللَّهُ مَعَ صَاحِبَيْكَ وَحَسِبْتُ أَنِّي كُنْتُ كَثِيرًا أَسْمَعُ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ يَقُولُ ذَهَبْتُ أَنَا وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرُ وَدَخَلْتُ أَنَا وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرُ وَخَرَجْتُ أَنَا وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرُ  

The Prophet ﷺ ascended the mountain of Uhud and he was accompanied by Abu Bakr, ʿUmar and ʿUthman. The mountain shook beneath them. The Prophet ﷺ hit it with his foot and said, "O Uhud ! Be firm, for on you there is none but a Prophet, a Siddiq and a martyr (i.e. and two martyrs).  

صَعِدَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ إِلَى أُحُدٍ وَمَعَهُ أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرُ وَعُثْمَانُ فَرَجَفَ بِهِمْ فَضَرَبَهُ بِرِجْلِهِ قَالَ اثْبُتْ أُحُدُ فَمَا عَلَيْكَ إِلاَّ نَبِيٌّ أَوْ صِدِّيقٌ أَوْ شَهِيدَانِ  

Ibn ʿUmar asked me about some matters concerning ʿUmar. He said, "Since Messenger of Allah ﷺ died. I have never seen anybody more serious, hard working and generous than ʿUmar bin Al-Khattab (till the end of his life."  

مَا رَأَيْتُ أَحَدًا قَطُّ بَعْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ مِنْ حِينَ قُبِضَ كَانَ أَجَدَّ وَأَجْوَدَ حَتَّى انْتَهَى مِنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ  

A man asked the Prophet ﷺ about the Hour (i.e. Day of Judgment) saying, "When will the Hour be?" The Prophet ﷺ said, "What have you prepared for it?" The man said, "Nothing, except that I love Allah and His Apostle." The Prophet ﷺ said, "You will be with those whom you love." We had never been so glad as we were on hearing that saying of the Prophet (i.e., "You will be with those whom you love.") Therefore, I love the Prophet, Abu Bakr and ʿUmar, and I hope that I will be with them because of my love for them though my deeds are not similar to theirs.  

أَنَّ رَجُلاً سَأَلَ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ عَنِ السَّاعَةِ فَقَالَ مَتَى السَّاعَةُ قَالَ وَمَاذَا أَعْدَدْتَ لَهَا قَالَ لاَ شَىْءَ إِلاَّ أَنِّي أُحِبُّ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ ﷺ فَقَالَ أَنْتَ مَعَ مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ قَالَ أَنَسٌ فَمَا فَرِحْنَا بِشَىْءٍ فَرَحَنَا بِقَوْلِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ أَنْتَ مَعَ مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ قَالَ أَنَسٌ فَأَنَا أُحِبُّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ وَأَبَا بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرَ وَأَرْجُو أَنْ أَكُونَ مَعَهُمْ بِحُبِّي إِيَّاهُمْ وَإِنْ لَمْ أَعْمَلْ بِمِثْلِ أَعْمَالِهِمْ  

Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "Among the nations before you there used to be people who were inspired (though they were not prophets). And if there is any of such a persons amongst my followers, it is 'Umar." Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet ﷺ said, "Among the nation of Bani Israel who lived before you, there were men who used to be inspired with guidance though they were not prophets, and if there is any of such persons amongst my followers, it is 'Umar."  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ لَقَدْ كَانَ فِيمَا قَبْلَكُمْ مِنَ الأُمَمِ مُحَدَّثُونَ فَإِنْ يَكُ فِي أُمَّتِي أَحَدٌ فَإِنَّهُ عُمَرُ زَادَ زَكَرِيَّاءُ بْنُ أَبِي زَائِدَةَ عَنْ سَعْدٍ عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ لَقَدْ كَانَ فِيمَنْ كَانَ قَبْلَكُمْ مِنْ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ رِجَالٌ يُكَلَّمُونَ مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ يَكُونُوا أَنْبِيَاءَ فَإِنْ يَكُنْ مِنْ أُمَّتِي مِنْهُمْ أَحَدٌ فَعُمَرُ قال ابن عباس ؓ من نبيِّ ولا محدَّث  

Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "Whilst a shepherd was amongst his sheep, a wolf attacked them and took away a sheep. The shepherd chased it and got that sheep freed from the wolf. The wolf turned towards the shepherd and said, 'Who will guard the sheep on the day of wild animals when it will have no shepherd except myself?" The people said, "Glorified be Allah." The Prophet ﷺ said, "But I believe in it and so do Abu Bakr and ʿUmar although Abu Bakr and ʿUmar were not present there (at the place of the event).  

سَمِعْنَا أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ ؓ يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ بَيْنَمَا رَاعٍ فِي غَنَمِهِ عَدَا الذِّئْبُ فَأَخَذَ مِنْهَا شَاةً فَطَلَبَهَا حَتَّى اسْتَنْقَذَهَا فَالْتَفَتَ إِلَيْهِ الذِّئْبُ فَقَالَ لَهُ مَنْ لَهَا يَوْمَ السَّبُعِ لَيْسَ لَهَا رَاعٍ غَيْرِي فَقَالَ النَّاسُ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ فَإِنِّي أُومِنُ بِهِ وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرُ وَمَا ثَمَّ أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرُ  

I heard Messenger of Allah ﷺ saying, "While I was sleeping, the people were presented to me (in a dream). They were wearing shirts, some of which were merely covering their (chests). and some were a bit longer. ʿUmar was presented before me and his shirt was so long that he was dragging it." They asked, "How have you interpreted it, O Messenger of Allah ﷺ?" He said, "Religion."  

عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ ؓ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ بَيْنَا أَنَا نَائِمٌ رَأَيْتُ النَّاسَ عُرِضُوا عَلَىَّ وَعَلَيْهِمْ قُمُصٌ فَمِنْهَا مَا يَبْلُغُ الثَّدْىَ وَمِنْهَا مَا يَبْلُغُ دُونَ ذَلِكَ وَعُرِضَ عَلَىَّ عُمَرُ وَعَلَيْهِ قَمِيصٌ اجْتَرَّهُ قَالُوا فَمَا أَوَّلْتَهُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ الدِّينَ  

When ʿUmar was stabbed, he showed signs of agony. Ibn ʿAbbas, as if intending to encourage ʿUmar, said to him, "O Chief of the believers! Never mind what has happened to you, for you have been in the company of Messenger of Allah ﷺ and you kept good relations with him and you parted with him while he was pleased with you. Then you were in the company of Abu Bakr and kept good relations with him and you parted with him (i.e. he died) while he was pleased with you. Then you were in the company of the Muslims, and you kept good relations with them, and if you leave them, you will leave them while they are pleased with you." ʿUmar said, (to Ibn "Abbas), "As for what you have said about the company of Messenger of Allah ﷺ and his being pleased with me, it is a favor, Allah did to me; and as for what you have said about the company of Abu Bakr and his being pleased with me, it is a favor Allah did to me; and concerning my impatience which you see, is because of you and your companions. By Allah! If (at all) I had gold equal to the earth, I would have ransomed myself with it from the Punishment of Allah before I meet Him."  

وَكَأَنَّهُ يُجَزِّعُهُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَلَئِنْ كَانَ ذَاكَ لَقَدْ صَحِبْتَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَأَحْسَنْتَ صُحْبَتَهُ ثُمَّ فَارَقْتَهُ وَهْوَ عَنْكَ رَاضٍ ثُمَّ صَحِبْتَ أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَأَحْسَنْتَ صُحْبَتَهُ ثُمَّ فَارَقْتَهُ وَهْوَ عَنْكَ رَاضٍ ثُمَّ صَحِبْتَ صَحَبَتَهُمْ فَأَحْسَنْتَ صُحْبَتَهُمْ وَلَئِنْ فَارَقْتَهُمْ لَتُفَارِقَنَّهُمْ وَهُمْ عَنْكَ رَاضُونَ قَالَ أَمَّا مَا ذَكَرْتَ مِنْ صُحْبَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَرِضَاهُ فَإِنَّمَا ذَاكَ مَنٌّ مِنَ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى مَنَّ بِهِ عَلَىَّ وَأَمَّا مَا ذَكَرْتَ مِنْ صُحْبَةِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ وَرِضَاهُ فَإِنَّمَا ذَاكَ مَنٌّ مِنَ اللَّهِ جَلَّ ذِكْرُهُ مَنَّ بِهِ عَلَىَّ وَأَمَّا مَا تَرَى مِنْ جَزَعِي فَهْوَ مِنْ أَجْلِكَ وَأَجْلِ أَصْحَابِكَ وَاللَّهِ لَوْ أَنَّ لِي طِلاَعَ الأَرْضِ ذَهَبًا لاَفْتَدَيْتُ بِهِ مِنْ عَذَابِ اللَّهِ ﷻ قَبْلَ أَنْ أَرَاهُ قَالَ حَمَّادُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ حَدَّثَنَا أَيُّوبُ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي مُلَيْكَةَ عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ دَخَلْتُ عَلَى عُمَرَ بِهَذَا  

While I was with the Prophet ﷺ in one of the gardens of Medina, a man came and asked me to open the gate. The Prophet ﷺ said to me, "Open the gate for him and give him the glad tidings that he will enter Paradise." I opened (the gate) for him, and behold! It was Abu Bakr. I informed him of the glad tidings the Prophet ﷺ had said, and he praised Allah. Then another man came and asked me to open the gate. The Prophet ﷺ said to me "Open (the gate) and give him the glad tidings of entering Paradise." I opened (the gate) for him, and behold! It was ʿUmar. I informed him of what the Prophet ﷺ had said, and he praised Allah. Then another man came and asked me to open the gate. The Prophet ﷺ said to me. "Open (the gate) for him and inform him of the glad tidings, of entering Paradise with a calamity which will befall him. " Behold ! It was ʿUthman, I informed him of what Messenger of Allah ﷺ had said. He praised Allah and said, "I seek Allah's Aid."  

كُنْتُ مَعَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فِي حَائِطٍ مِنْ حِيطَانِ الْمَدِينَةِ فَجَاءَ رَجُلٌ فَاسْتَفْتَحَ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ افْتَحْ لَهُ وَبَشِّرْهُ بِالْجَنَّةِ فَفَتَحْتُ لَهُ فَإِذَا أَبُو بَكْرٍ فَبَشَّرْتُهُ بِمَا قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ ثُمَّ جَاءَ رَجُلٌ فَاسْتَفْتَحَ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ افْتَحْ لَهُ وَبَشِّرْهُ بِالْجَنَّةِ فَفَتَحْتُ لَهُ فَإِذَا هُوَ عُمَرُ فَأَخْبَرْتُهُ بِمَا قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ ثُمَّ اسْتَفْتَحَ رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ لِي افْتَحْ لَهُ وَبَشِّرْهُ بِالْجَنَّةِ عَلَى بَلْوَى تُصِيبُهُ فَإِذَا عُثْمَانُ فَأَخْبَرْتُهُ بِمَا قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ ثُمَّ قَالَ اللَّهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ  

We were with the Prophet ﷺ while he was holding ʿUmar bin Al-Khattab by the hand.  

كُنَّا مَعَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ وَهْوَ آخِذٌ بِيَدِ عُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ  

The Prophet ﷺ entered a garden and ordered me to guard its gate. A man came and asked permission to enter. The Prophet ﷺ said, "Admit him and give him the glad tidings of entering Paradise." Behold! It was Abu Bakr. Another man came and asked the permission to enter. The Prophet ﷺ said, "Admit him and give him the glad tidings of entering Paradise." Behold! It was ʿUmar. Then another man came, asking the permission to enter. The Prophet ﷺ kept silent for a short while and then said, "Admit him and give him the glad tidings of entering Paradise with a calamity which will befall him." Behold! It was ʿUthman bin ʿAffan. ʿAsim, in another narration, said that the Prophet ﷺ was sitting in a place where there was water, and he was uncovering both his knees or his knee, and when ʿUthman entered, he covered them (or it).  

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ دَخَلَ حَائِطًا وَأَمَرَنِي بِحِفْظِ باب الْحَائِطِ فَجَاءَ رَجُلٌ يَسْتَأْذِنُ فَقَالَ ائْذَنْ لَهُ وَبَشِّرْهُ بِالْجَنَّةِ فَإِذَا أَبُو بَكْرٍ ثُمَّ جَاءَ آخَرُ يَسْتَأْذِنُ فَقَالَ ائْذَنْ لَهُ وَبَشِّرْهُ بِالْجَنَّةِ فَإِذَا عُمَرُ ثُمَّ جَاءَ آخَرُ يَسْتَأْذِنُ فَسَكَتَ هُنَيْهَةً ثُمَّ قَالَ ائْذَنْ لَهُ وَبَشِّرْهُ بِالْجَنَّةِ عَلَى بَلْوَى سَتُصِيبُهُ فَإِذَا عُثْمَانُ بْنُ عَفَّانَ قَالَ حَمَّادٌ وَحَدَّثَنَا عَاصِمٌ الأَحْوَلُ وَعَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحَكَمِ سَمِعَا أَبَا عُثْمَانَ يُحَدِّثُ عَنْ أَبِي مُوسَى بِنَحْوِهِ وَزَادَ فِيهِ عَاصِمٌ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ كَانَ قَاعِدًا فِي مَكَانٍ فِيهِ مَاءٌ قَدِ انْكَشَفَتْ عَنْ رُكْبَتَيْهِ أَوْ رُكْبَتِهِ فَلَمَّا دَخَلَ عُثْمَانُ غَطَّاهَا  

Al-Miswar bin Makhrama and ʿAbdur-Rahman bin Al-Aswad bin 'Abu Yaghuth said (to me), "What forbids you to talk to ʿUthman about his brother Al-Walid because people have talked much about him?" So I went to ʿUthman and when he went out for prayer I said (to him), "I have something to say to you and it is a piece of advice for you " ʿUthman said, "O man, from you." (ʿUmar said: I see that he said, "I seek Refuge with Allah from you.") So I left him and went to them. Then the messenger of ʿUthman came and I went to him (i.e. ʿUthman), ʿUthman asked, "What is your advice?" I replied, "Allah sent Muhammad with the Truth, and revealed the Divine Book (i.e. Qur'an) to him; and you were amongst those who followed Allah and His Apostle, and you participated in the two migrations (to Ethiopia and to Medina) and enjoyed the company of Messenger of Allah ﷺ and saw his way. No doubt, the people are talking much about Al-Walid." ʿUthman said, "Did you receive your knowledge directly from Messenger of Allah ﷺ ?" I said, "No, but his knowledge did reach me and it reached (even) to a virgin in her seclusion." ʿUthman said, "And then Allah sent Muhammad with the Truth and I was amongst those who followed Allah and His Apostle and I believed in what ever he (i.e. the Prophet) was sent with, and participated in two migrations, as you have said, and I enjoyed the company of Messenger of Allah ﷺ and gave the pledge of allegiance him. By Allah! I never disobeyed him, nor did I cheat him till Allah took him unto Him. Then I treated Abu Bakr and then ʿUmar similarly and then I was made Caliph. So, don't I have rights similar to theirs?" I said, "Yes." He said, "Then what are these talks reaching me from you people? Now, concerning what you mentioned about the question of Al-Walid, Allah willing, I shall deal with him according to what is right." Then he called ʿAli and ordered him to flog him, and ʿAli flogged him (i.e. Al-Walid) eighty lashes.  

أَنْ تُكَلِّمَ عُثْمَانَ لأَخِيهِ الْوَلِيدِ فَقَدْ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسُ فِيهِ فَقَصَدْتُ لِعُثْمَانَ حَتَّى خَرَجَ إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ قُلْتُ إِنَّ لِي إِلَيْكَ حَاجَةً وَهِيَ نَصِيحَةٌ لَكَ قَالَ يَا أَيُّهَا الْمَرْءُ قَالَ مَعْمَرٌ أُرَاهُ قَالَ أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنْكَ فَانْصَرَفْتُ فَرَجَعْتُ إِلَيْهِمْ إِذْ جَاءَ رَسُولُ عُثْمَانَ فَأَتَيْتُهُ فَقَالَ مَا نَصِيحَتُكَ فَقُلْتُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ سُبْحَانَهُ بَعَثَ مُحَمَّدًا ﷺ بِالْحَقِّ وَأَنْزَلَ عَلَيْهِ الْكِتَابَ وَكُنْتَ مِمَّنِ اسْتَجَابَ لِلَّهِ وَلِرَسُولِهِ فَهَاجَرْتَ الْهِجْرَتَيْنِ وَصَحِبْتَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَرَأَيْتَ هَدْيَهُ وَقَدْ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسُ فِي شَأْنِ الْوَلِيدِ قَالَ أَدْرَكْتَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قُلْتُ لاَ وَلَكِنْ خَلَصَ إِلَىَّ مِنْ عِلْمِهِ مَا يَخْلُصُ إِلَى الْعَذْرَاءِ فِي سِتْرِهَا قَالَ أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ بَعَثَ مُحَمَّدًا ﷺ بِالْحَقِّ فَكُنْتُ مِمَّنِ اسْتَجَابَ لِلَّهِ وَلِرَسُولِهِ وَآمَنْتُ بِمَا بُعِثَ بِهِ وَهَاجَرْتُ الْهِجْرَتَيْنِ كَمَا قُلْتَ وَصَحِبْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَبَايَعْتُهُ فَوَاللَّهِ مَا عَصَيْتُهُ وَلاَ غَشَشْتُهُ حَتَّى تَوَفَّاهُ اللَّهُ ثُمَّ أَبُو بَكْرٍ مِثْلُهُ ثُمَّ عُمَرُ مِثْلُهُ ثُمَّ اسْتُخْلِفْتُ أَفَلَيْسَ لِي مِنَ الْحَقِّ مِثْلُ الَّذِي لَهُمْ قُلْتُ بَلَى قَالَ فَمَا هَذِهِ الأَحَادِيثُ الَّتِي تَبْلُغُنِي عَنْكُمْ أَمَّا مَا ذَكَرْتَ مِنْ شَأْنِ الْوَلِيدِ فَسَنَأْخُذُ فِيهِ بِالْحَقِّ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ ثُمَّ دَعَا عَلِيًّا فَأَمَرَهُ أَنْ يَجْلِدَهُ فَجَلَدَهُ ثَمَانِينَ  

During the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ we considered Abu Bakr as peerless and then ʿUmar and then ʿUthman (coming next to him in superiority) and then we used not to differentiate between the companions of the Prophet.  

كُنَّا فِي زَمَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ لاَ نَعْدِلُ بِأَبِي بَكْرٍ أَحَدًا ثُمَّ عُمَرَ ثُمَّ عُثْمَانَ ثُمَّ نَتْرُكُ أَصْحَابَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ لاَ نُفَاضِلُ بَيْنَهُمْ  

(the son of Muhib) An Egyptian who came and performed the Hajj to the Kaʿba saw some people sitting. He enquire, "Who are these people?" Somebody said, "They are the tribe of Quraish." He said, "Who is the old man sitting amongst them?" The people replied, "He is ʿAbdullah bin ʿUmar." He said, "O Ibn ʿUmar! I want to ask you about something; please tell me about it. Do you know that ʿUthman fled away on the day (of the battle) of Uhud?" Ibn ʿUmar said, "Yes." The (Egyptian) man said, "Do you know that ʿUthman was absent on the day (of the battle) of Badr and did not join it?" Ibn ʿUmar said, "Yes." The man said, "Do you know that he failed to attend the Ar Ridwan pledge and did not witness it (i.e. Hudaibiya pledge of allegiance)?" Ibn ʿUmar said, "Yes." The man said, "Allahu Akbar!" Ibn ʿUmar said, "Let me explain to you (all these three things). As for his flight on the day of Uhud, I testify that Allah has excused him and forgiven him; and as for his absence from the battle of Badr, it was due to the fact that the daughter of Messenger of Allah ﷺ was his wife and she was sick then. Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to him, "You will receive the same reward and share (of the booty) as anyone of those who participated in the battle of Badr (if you stay with her).' As for his absence from the Ar-Ridwan pledge of allegiance, had there been any person in Mecca more respectable than ʿUthman (to be sent as a representative). Messenger of Allah ﷺ would have sent him instead of him. No doubt, Messenger of Allah ﷺ had sent him, and the incident of the Ar-Ridwan pledge of Allegiance happened after ʿUthman had gone to Mecca. Messenger of Allah ﷺ held out his right hand saying, 'This is ʿUthman's hand.' He stroke his (other) hand with it saying, 'This (pledge of allegiance) is on the behalf of ʿUthman.' Then Ibn ʿUmar said to the man, 'Bear (these) excuses in mind with you.'  

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ مَنْ أَهْلِ مِصْرَ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ فَرَأَى قَوْمًا جُلُوسًا فَقَالَ مَنْ هَؤُلاَءِ الْقَوْمُ قَالَ هَؤُلاَءِ قُرَيْشٌ قَالَ فَمَنِ الشَّيْخُ فِيهِمْ قَالُوا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عُمَرَ قَالَ يَا ابْنَ عُمَرَ إِنِّي سَائِلُكَ عَنْ شَىْءٍ فَحَدِّثْنِي هَلْ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ عُثْمَانَ فَرَّ يَوْمَ أُحُدٍ قَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ تَغَيَّبَ عَنْ بَدْرٍ وَلَمْ يَشْهَدْ قَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ تَغَيَّبَ عَنْ بَيْعَةِ الرُّضْوَانِ فَلَمْ يَشْهَدْهَا قَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ قَالَ ابْنُ عُمَرَ تَعَالَ أُبَيِّنْ لَكَ أَمَّا فِرَارُهُ يَوْمَ أُحُدٍ فَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَفَا عَنْهُ وَغَفَرَ لَهُ وَأَمَّا تَغَيُّبُهُ عَنْ بَدْرٍ فَإِنَّهُ كَانَتْ تَحْتَهُ بِنْتُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَكَانَتْ مَرِيضَةً فَقَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِنَّ لَكَ أَجْرَ رَجُلٍ مِمَّنْ شَهِدَ بَدْرًا وَسَهْمَهُ وَأَمَّا تَغَيُّبُهُ عَنْ بَيْعَةِ الرُّضْوَانِ فَلَوْ كَانَ أَحَدٌ أَعَزَّ بِبَطْنِ مَكَّةَ مِنْ عُثْمَانَ لَبَعَثَهُ مَكَانَهُ فَبَعَثَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ عُثْمَانَ وَكَانَتْ بَيْعَةُ الرُّضْوَانِ بَعْدَ مَا ذَهَبَ عُثْمَانُ إِلَى مَكَّةَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ بِيَدِهِ الْيُمْنَى هَذِهِ يَدُ عُثْمَانَ فَضَرَبَ بِهَا عَلَى يَدِهِ فَقَالَ هَذِهِ لِعُثْمَانَ فَقَالَ لَهُ ابْنُ عُمَرَ اذْهَبْ بِهَا الآنَ مَعَكَ  

The Prophet ﷺ ascended the mountain of Uhud and Abu Bakr, ʿUmar and ʿUthman were accompanying him. The mountain gave a shake (i.e. trembled underneath them) . The Prophet ﷺ said, "O Uhud ! Be calm." I think that the Prophet ﷺ hit it with his foot, adding, "For upon you there are none but a Prophet, a Siddiq and two martyrs."  

صَعِدَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ أُحُدًا وَمَعَهُ أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرُ وَعُثْمَانُ فَرَجَفَ وَقَالَ اسْكُنْ أُحُدُ أَظُنُّهُ ضَرَبَهُ بِرِجْلِهِ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْكَ إِلاَّ نَبِيٌّ وَصِدِّيقٌ وَشَهِيدَانِ  

I saw ʿUmar bin Al-Khattab a few days before he was stabbed in Medina. He was standing with Hudhaifa bin Al-Yaman and ʿUthman bin Hunaif to whom he said, "What have you done? Do you think that you have imposed more taxation on the land (of As-Swad i.e. 'Iraq) than it can bear?" They replied, "We have imposed on it what it can bear because of its great yield." ʿUmar again said, "Check whether you have imposed on the land what it can not bear." They said, "No, (we haven't)." ʿUmar added, "If Allah should keep me alive I will let the widows of Iraq need no men to support them after me." But only four days had elapsed when he was stabbed (to death ). The day he was stabbed, I was standing and there was nobody between me and him (i.e. ʿUmar) except ʿAbdullah bin ʿAbbas. Whenever ʿUmar passed between the two rows, he would say, "Stand in straight lines." When he saw no defect (in the rows), he would go forward and start the prayer with Takbir. He would recite Surat Yusuf or An-Nahl or the like in the first rakʿa so that the people may have the time to Join the prayer. As soon as he said Takbir, I heard him saying, "The dog has killed or eaten me," at the time he (i.e. the murderer) stabbed him. A non-Arab infidel proceeded on carrying a double-edged knife and stabbing all the persons he passed by on the right and left (till) he stabbed thirteen persons out of whom seven died. When one of the Muslims saw that, he threw a cloak on him. Realizing that he had been captured, the non-Arab infidel killed himself, ʿUmar held the hand of ʿAbdur-Rahman bin ʿAuf and let him lead the prayer. Those who were standing by the side of ʿUmar saw what I saw, but the people who were in the other parts of the Mosque did not see anything, but they lost the voice of ʿUmar and they were saying, "Subhan Allah! Subhan Allah! (i.e. Glorified be Allah)." ʿAbdur-Rahman bin ʿAuf led the people a short prayer. When they finished the prayer, ʿUmar said, "O Ibn ʿAbbas! Find out who attacked me." Ibn ʿAbbas kept on looking here and there for a short time and came to say. "The slave of Al Mughira." On that ʿUmar said, "The craftsman?" Ibn ʿAbbas said, "Yes." ʿUmar said, "May Allah curse him. I did not treat him unjustly. All the Praises are for Allah Who has not caused me to die at the hand of a man who claims himself to be a Muslim. No doubt, you and your father (Abbas) used to love to have more non-Arab infidels in Medina." Al-Abbas had the greatest number of slaves. Ibn ʿAbbas said to ʿUmar. "If you wish, we will do." He meant, "If you wish we will kill them." ʿUmar said, "You are mistaken (for you can't kill them) after they have spoken your language, prayed towards your Qibla, and performed Hajj like yours." Then ʿUmar was carried to his house, and we went along with him, and the people were as if they had never suffered a calamity before. Some said, "Do not worry (he will be Alright soon)." Some said, "We are afraid (that he will die)." Then an infusion of dates was brought to him and he drank it but it came out (of the wound) of his belly. Then milk was brought to him and he drank it, and it also came out of his belly. The people realized that he would die. We went to him, and the people came, praising him. A young man came saying, "O chief of the believers! Receive the glad tidings from Allah to you due to your company with Messenger of Allah ﷺ and your superiority in Islam which you know. Then you became the ruler (i.e. Caliph) and you ruled with justice and finally you have been martyred." ʿUmar said, "I wish that all these privileges will counterbalance (my shortcomings) so that I will neither lose nor gain anything." When the young man turned back to leave, his clothes seemed to be touching the ground. ʿUmar said, "Call the young man back to me." (When he came back) ʿUmar said, "O son of my brother! Lift your clothes, for this will keep your clothes clean and save you from the Punishment of your Lord." ʿUmar further said, "O ʿAbdullah bin ʿUmar! See how much I am in debt to others." When the debt was checked, it amounted to approximately eighty-six thousand. ʿUmar said, "If the property of ʿUmar's family covers the debt, then pay the debt thereof; otherwise request it from Bani ʿAdi bin Kaʿb, and if that too is not sufficient, ask for it from Quraish tribe, and do not ask for it from any one else, and pay this debt on my behalf." ʿUmar then said (to ʿAbdullah), "Go to ʿAisha (the mother of the believers) and say: "ʿUmar is paying his salutation to you. But don't say: 'The chief of the believers,' because today I am not the chief of the believers. And say: "ʿUmar bin Al-Khattab asks the permission to be buried with his two companions (i.e. the Prophet, and Abu Bakr)." ʿAbdullah greeted ʿAisha and asked for the permission for entering, and then entered to her and found her sitting and weeping. He said to her, "ʿUmar bin Al-Khattab is paying his salutations to you, and asks the permission to be buried with his two companions." She said, "I had the idea of having this place for myself, but today I prefer ʿUmar to myself." When he returned it was said (to ʿUmar), "ʿAbdullah bin ʿUmar has come." ʿUmar said, "Make me sit up." Somebody supported him against his body and ʿUmar asked (ʿAbdullah), "What news do you have?" He said, "O chief of the believers! It is as you wish. She has given the permission." ʿUmar said, "Praise be to Allah, there was nothing more important to me than this. So when I die, take me, and greet ʿAisha and say: "ʿUmar bin Al-Khattab asks the permission (to be buried with the Prophet ﷺ ), and if she gives the permission, bury me there, and if she refuses, then take me to the grave-yard of the Muslims." Then Hafsa (the mother of the believers) came with many other women walking with her. When we saw her, we went away. She went in (to ʿUmar) and wept there for sometime. When the men asked for permission to enter, she went into another place, and we heard her weeping inside. The people said (to ʿUmar), "O chief of the believers! Appoint a successor." ʿUmar said, "I do not find anyone more suitable for the job than the following persons or group whom Messenger of Allah ﷺ had been pleased with before he died." Then ʿUmar mentioned ʿAli, ʿUthman, AzZubair, Talha, Saʿd and ʿAbdur-Rahman (bin ʿAuf) and said, "Abdullah bin ʿUmar will be a witness to you, but he will have no share in the rule. His being a witness will compensate him for not sharing the right of ruling. If Saʿd becomes the ruler, it will be alright: otherwise, whoever becomes the ruler should seek his help, as I have not dismissed him because of disability or dishonesty." ʿUmar added, "I recommend that my successor takes care of the early emigrants; to know their rights and protect their honor and sacred things. I also recommend that he be kind to the Ansar who had lived in Medina before the emigrants and Belief had entered their hearts before them. I recommend that the (ruler) should accept the good of the righteous among them and excuse their wrong-doers, and I recommend that he should do good to all the people of the towns (Al-Ansar), as they are the protectors of Islam and the source of wealth and the source of annoyance to the enemy. I also recommend that nothing be taken from them except from their surplus with their consent. I also recommend that he do good to the 'Arab bedouin, as they are the origin of the 'Arabs and the material of Islam. He should take from what is inferior, amongst their properties and distribute that to the poor amongst them. I also recommend him concerning Allah's and His Apostle's protectees (i.e. Dhimmis) to fulfill their contracts and to fight for them and not to overburden them with what is beyond their ability." So when ʿUmar expired, we carried him out and set out walking. ʿAbdullah bin ʿUmar greeted (ʿAisha) and said, "ʿUmar bin Al-Khattab asks for the permission." ʿAisha said, "Bring him in." He was brought in and buried beside his two companions. When he was buried, the group (recommended by ʿUmar) held a meeting. Then ʿAbdur-Rahman said, " Reduce the candidates for rulership to three of you." Az-Zubair said, "I give up my right to ʿAli." Talha said, "I give up my right to ʿUthman," Saʿd, 'I give up my right to ʿAbdur-Rahman bin ʿAuf." ʿAbdur-Rahman then said (to ʿUthman and ʿAli), "Now which of you is willing to give up his right of candidacy to that he may choose the better of the (remaining) two, bearing in mind that Allah and Islam will be his witnesses." So both the sheiks (i.e. ʿUthman and ʿAli) kept silent. ʿAbdur-Rahman said, "Will you both leave this matter to me, and I take Allah as my Witness that I will not choose but the better of you?" They said, "Yes." So ʿAbdur-Rahman took the hand of one of them (i.e. ʿAli) and said, "You are related to Messenger of Allah ﷺ and one of the earliest Muslims as you know well. So I ask you by Allah to promise that if I select you as a ruler you will do justice, and if I select ʿUthman as a ruler you will listen to him and obey him." Then he took the other (i.e. ʿUthman) aside and said the same to him. When ʿAbdur-Rahman secured (their agreement to) this covenant, he said, "O ʿUthman! Raise your hand." So he (i.e. ʿAbdur-Rahman) gave him (i.e. ʿUthman) the solemn pledge, and then ʿAli gave him the pledge of allegiance and then all the (Medina) people gave him the pledge of allegiance.  

رَأَيْتُ عُمَرَ بْنَ الْخَطَّابِ ؓ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُصَابَ بِأَيَّامٍ بِالْمَدِينَةِ وَقَفَ عَلَى حُذَيْفَةَ بْنِ الْيَمَانِ وَعُثْمَانَ بْنِ حُنَيْفٍ قَالَ كَيْفَ فَعَلْتُمَا أَتَخَافَانِ أَنْ تَكُونَا قَدْ حَمَّلْتُمَا الأَرْضَ مَا لاَ تُطِيقُ قَالاَ حَمَّلْنَاهَا أَمْرًا هِيَ لَهُ مُطِيقَةٌ مَا فِيهَا كَبِيرُ فَضْلٍ قَالَ انْظُرَا أَنْ تَكُونَا حَمَّلْتُمَا الأَرْضَ مَا لاَ تُطِيقُ قَالَ قَالاَ لاَ فَقَالَ عُمَرُ لَئِنْ سَلَّمَنِي اللَّهُ لأَدَعَنَّ أَرَامِلَ أَهْلِ الْعِرَاقِ لاَ يَحْتَجْنَ إِلَى رَجُلٍ بَعْدِي أَبَدًا قَالَ فَمَا أَتَتْ عَلَيْهِ إِلاَّ رَابِعَةٌ حَتَّى أُصِيبَ قَالَ إِنِّي لَقَائِمٌ مَا بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَهُ إِلاَّ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عَبَّاسٍ غَدَاةَ أُصِيبَ وَكَانَ إِذَا مَرَّ بَيْنَ الصَّفَّيْنِ قَالَ اسْتَوُوا حَتَّى إِذَا لَمْ يَرَ فِيهِنَّ خَلَلاً تَقَدَّمَ فَكَبَّرَ وَرُبَّمَا قَرَأَ سُورَةَ يُوسُفَ أَوِ النَّحْلَ أَوْ نَحْوَ ذَلِكَ فِي الرَّكْعَةِ الأُولَى حَتَّى يَجْتَمِعَ النَّاسُ فَمَا هُوَ إِلاَّ أَنْ كَبَّرَ فَسَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ قَتَلَنِي أَوْ أَكَلَنِي الْكَلْبُ حِينَ طَعَنَهُ فَطَارَ الْعِلْجُ بِسِكِّينٍ ذَاتِ طَرَفَيْنِ لاَ يَمُرُّ عَلَى أَحَدٍ يَمِينًا وَلاَ شِمَالاً إِلاَّ طَعَنَهُ حَتَّى طَعَنَ ثَلاَثَةَ عَشَرَ رَجُلاً مَاتَ مِنْهُمْ سَبْعَةٌ فَلَمَّا رَأَى ذَلِكَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ طَرَحَ عَلَيْهِ بُرْنُسًا فَلَمَّا ظَنَّ الْعِلْجُ أَنَّهُ مَأْخُوذٌ نَحَرَ نَفْسَهُ وَتَنَاوَلَ عُمَرُ يَدَ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ عَوْفٍ فَقَدَّمَهُ فَمَنْ يَلِي عُمَرَ فَقَدْ رَأَى الَّذِي أَرَى وَأَمَّا نَوَاحِي الْمَسْجِدِ فَإِنَّهُمْ لاَ يَدْرُونَ غَيْرَ أَنَّهُمْ قَدْ فَقَدُوا صَوْتَ عُمَرَ وَهُمْ يَقُولُونَ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ فَصَلَّى بِهِمْ عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ صَلاَةً خَفِيفَةً فَلَمَّا انْصَرَفُوا قَالَ يَا ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ انْظُرْ مَنْ قَتَلَنِي فَجَالَ سَاعَةً ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَقَالَ غُلاَمُ الْمُغِيرَةِ قَالَ الصَّنَعُ قَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ قَاتَلَهُ اللَّهُ لَقَدْ أَمَرْتُ بِهِ مَعْرُوفًا الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي لَمْ يَجْعَلْ مَنِيَّتِي بِيَدِ رَجُلٍ يَدَّعِي الإِسْلاَمَ قَدْ كُنْتَ أَنْتَ وَأَبُوكَ تُحِبَّانِ أَنْ تَكْثُرَ الْعُلُوجُ بِالْمَدِينَةِ وَكَانَ {الْعَبَّاسُ} أَكْثَرَهُمْ رَقِيقًا فَقَالَ إِنْ شِئْتَ فَعَلْتُ أَىْ إِنْ شِئْتَ قَتَلْنَا قَالَ كَذَبْتَ بَعْدَ مَا تَكَلَّمُوا بِلِسَانِكُمْ وَصَلَّوْا قِبْلَتَكُمْ وَحَجُّوا حَجَّكُمْ فَاحْتُمِلَ إِلَى بَيْتِهِ فَانْطَلَقْنَا مَعَهُ وَكَأَنَّ النَّاسَ لَمْ تُصِبْهُمْ مُصِيبَةٌ قَبْلَ يَوْمَئِذٍ فَقَائِلٌ يَقُولُ لاَ بَأْسَ وَقَائِلٌ يَقُولُ أَخَافُ عَلَيْهِ فَأُتِيَ بِنَبِيذٍ فَشَرِبَهُ فَخَرَجَ مِنْ جَوْفِهِ ثُمَّ أُتِيَ بِلَبَنٍ فَشَرِبَهُ فَخَرَجَ مِنْ جُرْحِهِ فَعَلِمُوا أَنَّهُ مَيِّتٌ فَدَخَلْنَا عَلَيْهِ وَجَاءَ النَّاسُ يُثْنُونَ عَلَيْهِ وَجَاءَ رَجُلٌ شَابٌّ فَقَالَ أَبْشِرْ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ بِبُشْرَى اللَّهِ لَكَ مِنْ صُحْبَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَقَدَمٍ فِي الإِسْلاَمِ مَا قَدْ عَلِمْتَ ثُمَّ وَلِيتَ فَعَدَلْتَ ثُمَّ شَهَادَةٌ قَالَ وَدِدْتُ أَنَّ ذَلِكَ كَفَافٌ لاَ عَلَىَّ وَلاَ لِي فَلَمَّا أَدْبَرَ إِذَا إِزَارُهُ يَمَسُّ الأَرْضَ قَالَ رُدُّوا عَلَىَّ الْغُلاَمَ قَالَ ابْنَ أَخِي ارْفَعْ ثَوْبَكَ فَإِنَّهُ أَبْقَى لِثَوْبِكَ وَأَتْقَى لِرَبِّكَ يَا عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ عُمَرَ انْظُرْ مَا عَلَىَّ مِنَ الدَّيْنِ فَحَسَبُوهُ فَوَجَدُوهُ سِتَّةً وَثَمَانِينَ أَلْفًا أَوْ نَحْوَهُ قَالَ إِنْ وَفَى لَهُ مَالُ آلِ عُمَرَ فَأَدِّهِ مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ وَإِلاَّ فَسَلْ فِي بَنِي عَدِيِّ بْنِ كَعْبٍ فَإِنْ لَمْ تَفِ أَمْوَالُهُمْ فَسَلْ فِي قُرَيْشٍ وَلاَ تَعْدُهُمْ إِلَى غَيْرِهِمْ فَأَدِّ عَنِّي هَذَا الْمَالَ انْطَلِقْ إِلَى عَائِشَةَ أُمِّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَقُلْ يَقْرَأُ عَلَيْكِ عُمَرُ السَّلاَمَ وَلاَ تَقُلْ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَإِنِّي لَسْتُ الْيَوْمَ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَمِيرًا وَقُلْ يَسْتَأْذِنُ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ أَنْ يُدْفَنَ مَعَ صَاحِبَيْهِ فَسَلَّمَ وَاسْتَأْذَنَ ثُمَّ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهَا فَوَجَدَهَا قَاعِدَةً تَبْكِي فَقَالَ يَقْرَأُ عَلَيْكِ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ السَّلاَمَ وَيَسْتَأْذِنُ أَنْ يُدْفَنَ مَعَ صَاحِبَيْهِ فَقَالَتْ كُنْتُ أُرِيدُهُ لِنَفْسِي وَلأُوثِرَنَّ بِهِ الْيَوْمَ عَلَى نَفْسِي فَلَمَّا أَقْبَلَ قِيلَ هَذَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عُمَرَ قَدْ جَاءَ قَالَ ارْفَعُونِي فَأَسْنَدَهُ رَجُلٌ إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ مَا لَدَيْكَ قَالَ الَّذِي تُحِبُّ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَذِنَتْ قَالَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ مَا كَانَ مِنْ شَىْءٍ أَهَمُّ إِلَىَّ مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَإِذَا أَنَا قَضَيْتُ فَاحْمِلُونِي ثُمَّ سَلِّمْ فَقُلْ يَسْتَأْذِنُ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ فَإِنْ أَذِنَتْ لِي فَأَدْخِلُونِي وَإِنْ رَدَّتْنِي رُدُّونِي إِلَى مَقَابِرِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَجَاءَتْ أُمُّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ حَفْصَةُ وَالنِّسَاءُ تَسِيرُ مَعَهَا فَلَمَّا رَأَيْنَاهَا قُمْنَا فَوَلَجَتْ عَلَيْهِ فَبَكَتْ عِنْدَهُ سَاعَةً وَاسْتَأْذَنَ الرِّجَالُ فَوَلَجَتْ دَاخِلاً لَهُمْ فَسَمِعْنَا بُكَاءَهَا مِنَ الدَّاخِلِ فَقَالُوا أَوْصِ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ اسْتَخْلِفْ قَالَ مَا أَجِدُ أَحَقَّ بِهَذَا الأَمْرِ مِنْ هَؤُلاَءِ النَّفَرِ أَوِ الرَّهْطِ الَّذِينَ تُوُفِّيَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَهْوَ عَنْهُمْ رَاضٍ فَسَمَّى عَلِيًّا وَعُثْمَانَ وَالزُّبَيْرَ وَطَلْحَةَ وَسَعْدًا وَعَبْدَ الرَّحْمَنِ وَقَالَ يَشْهَدُكُمْ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عُمَرَ وَلَيْسَ لَهُ مِنَ الأَمْرِ شَىْءٌ كَهَيْئَةِ التَّعْزِيَةِ لَهُ فَإِنْ أَصَابَتِ الإِمْرَةُ سَعْدًا فَهْوَ ذَاكَ وَإِلاَّ فَلْيَسْتَعِنْ بِهِ أَيُّكُمْ مَا أُمِّرَ فَإِنِّي لَمْ أَعْزِلْهُ عَنْ عَجْزٍ وَلاَ خِيَانَةٍ وَقَالَ أُوصِي الْخَلِيفَةَ مِنْ بَعْدِي بِالْمُهَاجِرِينَ الأَوَّلِينَ أَنْ يَعْرِفَ لَهُمْ حَقَّهُمْ وَيَحْفَظَ لَهُمْ حُرْمَتَهُمْ وَأُوصِيهِ بِالأَنْصَارِ خَيْرًا الَّذِينَ تَبَوَّءُوا الدَّارَ وَالإِيمَانَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ أَنْ يُقْبَلَ مِنْ مُحْسِنِهِمْ وَأَنْ يُعْفَى عَنْ مُسِيئِهِمْ وَأُوصِيهِ بِأَهْلِ الأَمْصَارِ خَيْرًا فَإِنَّهُمْ رِدْءُ الإِسْلاَمِ وَجُبَاةُ الْمَالِ وَغَيْظُ الْعَدُوِّ وَأَنْ لاَ يُؤْخَذَ مِنْهُمْ إِلاَّ فَضْلُهُمْ عَنْ رِضَاهُمْ وَأُوصِيهِ بِالأَعْرَابِ خَيْرًا فَإِنَّهُمْ أَصْلُ الْعَرَبِ وَمَادَّةُ الإِسْلاَمِ أَنْ يُؤْخَذَ مِنْ حَوَاشِي أَمْوَالِهِمْ وَتُرَدَّ عَلَى فُقَرَائِهِمْ وَأُوصِيهِ بِذِمَّةِ اللَّهِ وَذِمَّةِ رَسُولِهِ ﷺ أَنْ يُوفَى لَهُمْ بِعَهْدِهِمْ وَأَنْ يُقَاتَلَ مِنْ وَرَائِهِمْ وَلاَ يُكَلَّفُوا إِلاَّ طَاقَتَهُمْ فَلَمَّا قُبِضَ خَرَجْنَا بِهِ فَانْطَلَقْنَا نَمْشِي فَسَلَّمَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عُمَرَ قَالَ يَسْتَأْذِنُ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ قَالَتْ أَدْخِلُوهُ فَأُدْخِلَ فَوُضِعَ هُنَالِكَ مَعَ صَاحِبَيْهِ فَلَمَّا فُرِغَ مِنْ دَفْنِهِ اجْتَمَعَ هَؤُلاَءِ الرَّهْطُ فَقَالَ عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ اجْعَلُوا أَمْرَكُمْ إِلَى ثَلاَثَةٍ مِنْكُمْ فَقَالَ الزُّبَيْرُ قَدْ جَعَلْتُ أَمْرِي إِلَى عَلِيٍّ فَقَالَ طَلْحَةُ قَدْ جَعَلْتُ أَمْرِي إِلَى عُثْمَانَ وَقَالَ سَعْدٌ قَدْ جَعَلْتُ أَمْرِي إِلَى عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ عَوْفٍ فَقَالَ عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ أَيُّكُمَا تَبَرَّأَ مِنْ هَذَا الأَمْرِ فَنَجْعَلُهُ إِلَيْهِ وَاللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَالإِسْلاَمُ لَيَنْظُرَنَّ أَفْضَلَهُمْ فِي نَفْسِهِ فَأُسْكِتَ الشَّيْخَانِ فَقَالَ عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ أَفَتَجْعَلُونَهُ إِلَىَّ وَاللَّهُ عَلَىَّ أَنْ لاَ آلُوَ عَنْ أَفْضَلِكُمْ قَالاَ نَعَمْ فَأَخَذَ بِيَدِ أَحَدِهِمَا فَقَالَ لَكَ قَرَابَةٌ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَالْقَدَمُ فِي الإِسْلاَمِ مَا قَدْ عَلِمْتَ فَاللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ لَئِنْ أَمَّرْتُكَ لَتَعْدِلَنَّ وَلَئِنْ أَمَّرْتُ عُثْمَانَ لَتَسْمَعَنَّ وَلَتُطِيعَنَّ ثُمَّ خَلاَ بِالآخَرِ فَقَالَ لَهُ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ فَلَمَّا أَخَذَ الْمِيثَاقَ قَالَ ارْفَعْ يَدَكَ يَا عُثْمَانُ فَبَايَعَهُ فَبَايَعَ لَهُ عَلِيٌّ وَوَلَجَ أَهْلُ الدَّارِ فَبَايَعُوهُ