Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 1151

Unreviewed translation. All hadiths in this collection are available in five languages. Titles and introductions may remain in Arabic.

Sa‘id ibn Abi Maryam related to us: Muhammad ibn Ja‘far related to us, from Sharik ibn ‘Abd Allah, from Sa‘id ibn al-Musayyab, from Abu Musa al-Ash‘ari, who said: One day the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, went out to one of the walled gardens of Madinah to attend to a personal need, and I went out after him. When he entered the garden, I sat at its gate and said, ‘Today I will be the Prophet’s doorkeeper, though he has not told me to do so.’ The Prophet went away and attended to his need, then sat on the rim of the well, uncovered his shins, and lowered them into it. Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, came asking permission to enter. I said, ‘Wait here while I seek permission for you,’ and he stopped. I went to the Prophet and said, ‘Messenger of Allah, Abu Bakr is asking permission to enter.’ He said, ‘Admit him and give him the glad tidings of Paradise.’ Abu Bakr entered and came to the Prophet’s right, uncovered his shins, and lowered them into the well. Then ‘Umar came. I said, ‘Wait here while I seek permission for you.’ The Prophet said, ‘Admit him and give him the glad tidings of Paradise.’ ‘Umar came to the Prophet’s left, uncovered his shins, and lowered them into the well. The rim became crowded, and there was no room to sit. Then ‘Uthman came. I said, ‘Wait here while I seek permission for you.’ The Prophet said, ‘Admit him and give him the glad tidings of Paradise, along with a trial that will befall him.’ ‘Uthman entered but found no room with them. He moved until he came opposite them on the edge of the well, uncovered his shins, and lowered them into the well. I began to wish that one of my brothers would come, and I prayed to Allah to bring him, but he did not come before they stood up.