Abu Musa al-Ash'ari said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, went out one day to one of the walled gardens of Madina, and I went out after him. When he entered the garden, I sat at the gate and said, I will be the doorkeeper of the Messenger of Allah today even if he has not commanded me to do it.' The Prophet went and answered a call of nature and then sat on the edge of the well. He uncovered his legs and dangled them in the well. Abu Bakr came and asked for permission to enter.' I said, 'Stay where you are until I ask permission for you.' He waited and I went to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and said, 'Messenger of Allah, it is Abu Bakr asking permission to come in.' He said, 'Let him in and give him the good news of the Garden.' He entered and sat at the right side of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. uncovered his legs and dangled them in the water. Then 'Umar came. I said, 'Stay where you are until I ask permission for you.' The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'Let him in and give him the good news of the Garden.' 'Umar went in and sat at the left side of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, uncovered his legs and dangled his feet in the well. The rim of the well was then full and there was no place left to sit. Then 'Uthman came. I said, 'Stay where you are until I ask permission for you.' The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'Let him in and give him the good news of the Garden as well as an affliction which will befall him.' 'Uthman came in and could not find a place with them. He moved around until he was facing them on the other side of the well, uncovered his legs and dangled them in the well. I began to wish that a brother of mine would come and I asked Allah to make him come, but he did not come before they had got up."
Gatherings - Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 1151
Abu Musa al-Ash'ari said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, went out one day to one of the walled gardens of Madina, and I went out after him. When he entered the garden, I sat at the gate and said, I will be the doorkeeper of the Messenger of Allah today even if he has not commanded me to do it.' The Prophet went and answered a call of nature and then sat on the edge of the well. He uncovered his legs and dangled them in the well. Abu Bakr came and asked for permission to enter.' I said, 'Stay where you are until I ask permission for you.' He waited and I went to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and said, 'Messenger of Allah, it is Abu Bakr asking permission to come in.' He said, 'Let him in and give him the good news of the Garden.' He entered and sat at the right side of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. uncovered his legs and dangled them in the water. Then 'Umar came. I said, 'Stay where you are until I ask permission for you.' The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'Let him in and give him the good news of the Garden.' 'Umar went in and sat at the left side of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, uncovered his legs and dangled his feet in the well. The rim of the well was then full and there was no place left to sit. Then 'Uthman came. I said, 'Stay where you are until I ask permission for you.' The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'Let him in and give him the good news of the Garden as well as an affliction which will befall him.' 'Uthman came in and could not find a place with them. He moved around until he was facing them on the other side of the well, uncovered his legs and dangled them in the well. I began to wish that a brother of mine would come and I asked Allah to make him come, but he did not come before they had got up."
Commentary on the Narration
This blessed hadith from Al-Adab Al-Mufrad contains profound wisdom regarding the virtues of the Rightly Guided Caliphs and the proper etiquettes of gatherings. The Prophet's seating arrangement symbolizes the spiritual hierarchy - Abu Bakr at his right, 'Umar at his left, and 'Uthman facing them, representing their respective stations in leadership and proximity to the Messenger.
The spontaneous guardianship by Abu Musa demonstrates the natural love and protection the Companions felt for the Prophet, undertaking voluntary service without command. The specific glad tidings of Paradise given to each Caliph affirms their confirmed status among the inhabitants of Jannah, with 'Uthman receiving the additional prophecy of the trial he would endure during his caliphate.
The imagery of dangling feet in the well water signifies spiritual purification and the flowing blessings of Prophetic companionship. Abu Musa's longing for his brother to join this blessed gathering shows how the Companions recognized the immense spiritual value of being in the Prophet's presence and desired this honor for their loved ones.
Legal and Spiritual Lessons
This narration establishes the sunnah of seeking permission before entering private gatherings, even when visiting the Prophet himself. It demonstrates the importance of proper seating arrangements in gatherings and the virtue of voluntary service for righteous scholars and leaders.
The hadith also provides clear evidence of the superiority of Abu Bakr, then 'Umar, then 'Uthman in merit, as indicated by their order of arrival and seating positions. The specific glad tidings for 'Uthman coupled with the prophecy of his trial teaches us that great reward often comes with great tests from Allah.
The Companions' meticulous preservation of such detailed accounts reflects their understanding that every moment with the Prophet contained valuable lessons for future generations of Muslims in matters of faith, conduct, and spiritual development.