poor people, and that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“‘Whoever has enough food for two should take a third person with him, and whoever has enough for four should take a fifth or a sixth.’ Abū Bakr brought three people home, while the Prophet of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, took ten. Abū Bakr ate supper with the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, then stayed until I had prayed ‘Ishā’. He then returned and stayed until the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, became drowsy. He came home after as much of the night had passed as Allah willed. His wife asked, ‘What kept you from your guests?’ He replied, ‘Did you not give them supper?’ She said, ‘They refused to eat until you came. Supper was offered to them, but they would not yield.’”

He then related the rest of the hadith. Another version states:

“He would converse with the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, into the night.”

On the journey of emigration, no one accompanied him except Abū Bakr. On the day of Badr, no one remained with him in the shelter except Abū Bakr. He said:

“No one has been more generous to us with his companionship and wealth than Abū Bakr. If I were to take anyone on earth as an intimate friend, I would take Abū Bakr.”

This is among the most authentic, widely transmitted hadiths, reported through numerous chains in the authentic collections.

In the two Sahīh collections, Abū al-Dardā’ said:

“I was sitting with the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, when Abū Bakr approached, holding up the edge of his garment so that his knee was exposed. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, ‘Your companion has taken the initiative.’ Abū Bakr greeted him and said, ‘Something happened between me and Ibn al-Khattāb, and I spoke hastily to him. Then I regretted it and asked him to forgive me, but he refused, so I have come to you.’ He said, ‘May Allah forgive you,’ three times. Then ‘Umar regretted what he had done and went to Abū Bakr’s house, but did not find him. He therefore came to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. The Prophet’s expression began to change, and he grew angry, until