Companions of the Prophet

ʿAli ibn ʿAbdullah narrated to us: Sufyan narrated to us, from ʿAmr, who said: I heard Jabir ibn ʿAbdullah (may Allah be pleased with them both) say: Abu Saʿid al-Khudri narrated to us that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “A time will come upon people when groups of them go on military campaigns. They will be asked, ‘Is there anyone among you who accompanied the Messenger of Allah ﷺ?’ They will say, ‘Yes,’ and victory will be granted to them. Then a time will come when groups of people go on campaigns and they will be asked, ‘Is there anyone among you who accompanied the Companions of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ?’ They will say, ‘Yes,’ and victory will be granted to them. Then a time will come when groups of people go on campaigns and they will be asked, ‘Is there anyone among you who accompanied those who accompanied the Companions of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ?’ They will say, ‘Yes,’ and victory will be granted to them.”

Ishaq narrated to me: Al-Nadr narrated to us: Shuʿba informed us, from Abu Jamra, who said: I heard Zahdam ibn Mudarrib say: I heard ʿImran ibn Husayn (may Allah be pleased with them both) say: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “The best of my community are my generation, then those who follow them, then those who follow them.” ʿImran said: I do not know whether he mentioned two generations after his own or three. “Then after you will come people who testify without being asked to testify, who betray trust and are not trustworthy, who make vows but do not fulfill them, and among whom obesity will become widespread.”

Muhammad ibn Kathir narrated to us: Sufyan informed us, from Mansur, from Ibrahim, from ʿAbida, from ʿAbdullah (may Allah be pleased with him), that the Prophet ﷺ said, “The best of people are my generation, then those who follow them, then those who follow them. Then people will come whose testimony precedes their oath, and whose oath precedes their testimony.” Ibrahim said: They used to discipline us for giving testimony and making pledges when we were still children.

ʿAbdullah ibn Rajaʾ narrated to us: Israʾil narrated to us, from Abu Ishaq, from al-Baraʾ, who said: Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) bought a saddle from ʿAzib for thirteen dirhams. Abu Bakr told ʿAzib, “Tell al-Baraʾ to bring my saddle to me.” ʿAzib said, “Not until you tell us what you and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ did when you left Mecca while the polytheists were pursuing you.” He said, “We set out from Mecca and traveled through the night and the next day until midday. I looked around for shade where we could take shelter and saw a rock. I went to it, found a little shade, and leveled the ground. Then I spread a place for the Prophet ﷺ and said, ‘Lie down, Prophet of Allah.’ He lay down, and I went to look around for anyone pursuing us. I saw a shepherd driving his sheep to the rock, seeking what we had sought. I asked him, ‘Whose shepherd are you, young man?’ He named a Qurayshi man, and I recognized him. I asked, ‘Do your sheep have milk?’ He said yes. I asked whether he would milk some, and he agreed. I had him restrain a sheep and shake the dust from its udder, then shake the dust from his hands. He struck one hand against the other, then milked a little into a container. I had prepared a water-skin for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, with a cloth over its mouth. I poured water over the milk until its bottom cooled, then took it to the Prophet ﷺ, whom I found awake. I said, ‘Drink, Messenger of Allah.’ He drank until I was satisfied. Then I said, ‘It is time to depart, Messenger of Allah.’ He said, ‘Yes.’ We set out while the people were pursuing us. None of them caught up with us except Suraqa ibn Malik ibn Juʿshum, riding a horse. I said, ‘Our pursuer has caught up with us, Messenger of Allah!’ He said, ‘Do not grieve; Allah is with us.’”

Muhammad ibn Sinan narrated to us: Hammam narrated to us, from Thabit, from Anas, from Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: While I was in the cave, I said to the Prophet ﷺ, “If one of them looked beneath his feet, he would see us.” He replied, “Abu Bakr, what do you think of two when Allah is their third?”

ʿAbdullah ibn Muhammad narrated to me: Abu ʿAmir narrated to us: Fulayh narrated to us, saying: Salim Abu al-Nadr narrated to me, from Busar ibn Saʿid, from Abu Saʿid al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ addressed the people and said, “Allah gave a servant the choice between this world and what is with Him, and that servant chose what is with Allah.” Abu Bakr wept, and we were astonished at his weeping over the mention of a servant who had been given a choice. It was the Messenger of Allah ﷺ himself who had been given the choice, and Abu Bakr was the most knowledgeable among us. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Of all people, Abu Bakr has favored me most through his companionship and wealth. If I were to take an intimate friend besides my Lord, I would have taken Abu Bakr; but there is the brotherhood and affection of Islam. No door opening into the mosque should remain except the door of Abu Bakr.”

ʿAbd al-ʿAziz ibn ʿAbdullah narrated to us: Sulayman narrated to us, from Yahya ibn Saʿid, from Nafiʿ, from Ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them both), who said: During the time of the Prophet ﷺ, we used to rank people by merit, placing Abu Bakr first, then ʿUmar ibn al-Khattab, then ʿUthman ibn ʿAffan (may Allah be pleased with them).

Muslim ibn Ibrahim narrated to us: Wuhaib narrated to us: Ayyub narrated to us, from ʿIkrima, from Ibn ʿAbbas (may Allah be pleased with them both), from the Prophet ﷺ, who said, “If I were to take an intimate friend from my community, I would take Abu Bakr; but he is my brother and companion.”

Mu‘alla ibn Asad and Musa ibn Isma‘il al-Tabudhaki reported to us; they both said: Wuhayb reported to us, from Ayyub, who said: ‘If I were to take an intimate friend, I would have taken him as an intimate friend. But the brotherhood of Islam is better.’ Qutayba reported to us: ‘Abd al-Wahhab reported to us, from Ayyub, the same wording.

Sulayman ibn Harb reported to us: Hammad ibn Zayd informed us, from Ayyub, from ‘Abd Allah ibn Abi Mulaykah, who said: The people of Kufa wrote to Ibn al-Zubayr concerning the grandfather. He replied: ‘As for what the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “If I were to take an intimate friend from this community, I would take him as an intimate friend”—he regarded him as a father, meaning Abu Bakr.’

Al-Humaydi and Muhammad ibn ‘Abd Allah reported to us; they both said: Ibrahim ibn Sa‘d reported to us, from his father, from Muhammad ibn Jubayr ibn Mut‘im, from his father, who said: A woman came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and he told her to return to him. She said, ‘What do you think—if I came and did not find you?’ It was as though she meant: death. He said to her, ‘If you do not find me, then go to Abu Bakr.’

Ahmad ibn Abi al-Tayyib related to me: Isma‘il ibn Mujalid reported to us: Bayan ibn Bishr reported to us, from Wabarah ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman, from Hammam, who said: I heard ‘Ammar say: I saw the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and there were with him only five enslaved men, two women, and Abu Bakr.

Narrated Abu al-Darda’: I was sitting with the Prophet (ﷺ) when Abu Bakr approached, holding the edge of his garment until his knee was exposed. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, ‘Your companion has entered into a dispute.’ Abu Bakr greeted him and said, ‘There was something between me and Ibn al-Khattab. I spoke hastily to him, then regretted it. I asked him to forgive me, but he refused, so I came to you.’ The Prophet (ﷺ) said, ‘May Allah forgive you, Abu Bakr,’ three times. Then ‘Umar regretted what had happened and went to Abu Bakr’s home. He asked whether Abu Bakr was there, and they said no. He went to the Prophet (ﷺ) and greeted him. The Prophet’s face grew flushed, until Abu Bakr became concerned. Abu Bakr knelt and said, ‘Messenger of Allah, by Allah, I was the one more at fault—twice over.’ The Prophet (ﷺ) said, ‘Allah sent me to you, and you said, “You lie,” while Abu Bakr said, “He has spoken the truth.” He supported me with himself and his wealth. Will you then leave my companion?’ He repeated this twice. After that, Abu Bakr was not harmed.

Mu‘alla ibn Asad reported to us: ‘Abd al-‘Aziz ibn al-Mukhtar reported to us. Khalid al-Hadhdha’ said: Abu ‘Uthman reported to us, saying: ‘Amr ibn al-‘As (may Allah be pleased with him) related to me that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) appointed him over the army of Dhat al-Salasil. I came to him and asked, ‘Who among the people is dearest to you?’ He said, ‘‘A’ishah.’ I asked, ‘Among the men?’ He said, ‘Her father.’ I asked, ‘Then who?’ He said, ‘Then ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab.’ Then he named several men.

Abu al-Yaman reported to us: Shu‘ayb informed us, from al-Zuhri, who said: Abu Salamah ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman informed me that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say: ‘While a shepherd was among his sheep, a wolf attacked them and took one of them. The shepherd pursued it, and the wolf turned toward him and said, “Who will watch over it on the Day of the Beast, the day when it will have no shepherd other than me?” And while a man was driving a cow on which he had loaded a burden, it turned toward him and spoke, saying, “I was not created for this; I was created for plowing.”’ The people said, ‘Glory be to Allah!’ The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, ‘I believe in that, and so do Abu Bakr and ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with them both).’

‘Abdan reported to us: ‘Abd Allah informed us, from Yunus, from al-Zuhri, who said: Ibn al-Musayyab informed me; he heard Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) say: I heard the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) say: ‘While I was sleeping, I saw myself at a well with a bucket over it. I drew from it as much as Allah willed. Then Ibn Abi Quhafah took it and drew one or two bucketfuls, and there was weakness in his drawing. May Allah forgive him for his weakness. Then it became a great bucket, and Ibn al-Khattab took it. I have never seen anyone among the people draw water as masterfully as ‘Umar did, until the people had led their camels to the watering place.’

Muhammad ibn Muqatil reported to us: ‘Abd Allah informed us: Musa ibn ‘Uqbah informed us, from Salim ibn ‘Abd Allah, from ‘Abd Allah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both), who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: ‘On the Day of Resurrection, Allah will not look at anyone who drags his garment out of arrogance.’ Abu Bakr said: ‘One side of my garment slips down unless I keep checking it.’ The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: ‘You do not do that out of arrogance.’ Musa said: I asked Salim, ‘Did ‘Abd Allah mention one who drags his lower garment?’ He replied: ‘I did not hear him mention anything except his garment.’

Abu al-Yaman reported to us: Shu‘ayb reported to us, from al-Zuhri, who said: Humayd ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn ‘Awf informed me that Abu Hurayrah said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say: ‘Whoever spends a pair of anything in the path of Allah will be called from the gates—I mean, the gates of Paradise—“O servant of Allah, this is good!” Whoever is among the people of prayer will be called from the Gate of Prayer; whoever is among the people of striving will be called from the Gate of Striving; whoever is among the people of charity will be called from the Gate of Charity; and whoever is among the people of fasting will be called from the Gate of Fasting and the Gate of al-Rayyan.’ Abu Bakr said: ‘There is no need for the one called from those gates to enter any of them.’ He asked: ‘Will anyone be called from all of them, Messenger of Allah?’ He replied: ‘Yes, and I hope that you will be among them, Abu Bakr.’

Isma‘il ibn ‘Abd Allah reported to us: Sulayman ibn Bilal reported to us, from Hisham ibn ‘Urwah, from ‘Urwah ibn al-Zubayr, from ‘A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her), the wife of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) died while Abu Bakr was at al-Sunh—Isma‘il said, meaning in al-‘Aliyah. ‘Umar stood up, saying, ‘By Allah, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) has not died!’ She said: ‘Umar said, “By Allah, nothing occurred to my mind except that Allah would surely raise him, and he would surely cut off the hands and feet of some men.” Abu Bakr came, uncovered the Messenger of Allah’s face, and kissed him. He said, “May my father and mother be your ransom. You were good in life and in death. By Him in whose hand is my soul, Allah will never make you taste death twice.” Then he went out and said, “O you who swore, be calm.” When Abu Bakr spoke, ‘Umar sat down. Abu Bakr praised Allah and extolled Him, then said: ‘Now then, whoever worshipped Muhammad, Muhammad has indeed died; but whoever worships Allah, Allah is Living and does not die.’ He said: ‘You are surely to die, and they too are surely to die.’ And he said: ‘Muhammad is only a Messenger; messengers have passed away before him. If he dies or is killed, will you turn back on your heels? Whoever turns back on his heels will not harm Allah in the least, and Allah will reward the grateful.’ The people sobbed and wept.

The Ansar gathered around Sa‘d ibn ‘Ubadah in the portico of Banu Sa‘idah and said, ‘A leader from us and a leader from you.’ Abu Bakr, ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab, and Abu ‘Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah went to them. ‘Umar began to speak, but Abu Bakr stopped him. ‘Umar used to say: ‘By Allah, I intended only to say something that had occurred to me and pleased me, and I feared that Abu Bakr would not reach it.’ Then Abu Bakr spoke, and he was the most eloquent of people. Among what he said was: ‘We are the leaders and you are the ministers.’ Hubab ibn al-Mundhir said, ‘No, by Allah, we will not do that. A leader from us and a leader from you.’ Abu Bakr said, ‘No, rather we are the leaders and you are the ministers. They are the most central of the Arabs in their homes and the noblest in lineage, so pledge allegiance to ‘Umar or Abu ‘Ubaydah.’ ‘Umar said, ‘Rather, we pledge allegiance to you. You are our master, the best of us, and the most beloved of us to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him).’ ‘Umar took his hand and pledged allegiance to him, and the people pledged allegiance. Someone said, ‘You have killed Sa‘d ibn ‘Ubadah!’ ‘Umar said, ‘May Allah kill him.’