The Prophet (ﷺ) went out to one of the gardens of Medina for some business and I went out to follow him. When he entered the garden, I sat at its gate and said to myself, "To day I will be the gatekeeper of the Prophet though he has not ordered me." The Prophet (ﷺ) went and finished his need and went to sit on the constructed edge of the well and uncovered his legs and hung them in the well. In the meantime Abu Bakr came and asked permission to enter. I said (to him), "Wait till I get you permission." Abu Bakr waited outside and I went to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, "O Allah's Prophet! Abu Bakr asks your permission to enter." He said, "Admit him, and give him the glad tidings of entering Paradise." So Abu Bakr entered and sat on the right side of the Prophet (ﷺ) and uncovered his legs and hung them in the well. Then `Umar came and I said (to him), "Wait till I get you permission." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Admit him and give him the glad tidings of entering Paradise." So `Umar entered and sat on the left side of the Prophet and uncovered his legs and hung them in the well so that one side of the well became fully occupied and there remained no place for any-one to sit. Then `Uthman came and I said (to him), "Wait till I get permission for you." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Admit him and give him the glad tidings of entering Paradise with a calamity which will befall him." When he entered, he could not find any place to sit with them so he went to the other edge of the well opposite them and uncovered his legs and hung them in the well. I wished that a brother of mine would come, so I invoked Allah for his coming. (Ibn Al-Musaiyab said, "I interpreted that (narration) as indicating their graves. The first three are together and the grave of `Uthman is separate from theirs.")
Afflictions and the End of the World - Sahih al-Bukhari 7097
This narration from Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) contains profound wisdom regarding the virtues of the Rightly Guided Caliphs and foreshadowing of future events. The Prophet's glad tidings to Abu Bakr and Umar of Paradise without qualification indicates their confirmed status among the inhabitants of Paradise. Uthman's glad tidings were accompanied by mention of a calamity, which scholars interpret as referring to his martyrdom.
Symbolism of the Well
The well represents this worldly life and its temporary nature. The companions sitting with their legs in the well symbolizes their engagement with worldly affairs while maintaining spiritual connection. The seating arrangement - Abu Bakr on the right, Umar on the left, and Uthman separately - prefigures their chronological succession and the separation of Uthman's grave from the others.
Scholarly Interpretation
Ibn Al-Musaiyab's commentary that this indicates their graves is significant. The first three caliphs are buried together in what is known today as al-Baqi' cemetery, while Uthman is buried separately in another part of Medina. This physical separation mirrors their seating in the narration and symbolizes the distinct trials Uthman would face during his caliphate.
The narrator's wish for his brother reflects the natural human desire to share in such blessed company, reminding us to seek companionship with the righteous and to value opportunities to serve the people of knowledge and faith.