709 – Abū Mūsā al-Ashʿarī (may Allah be pleased with him) reported:

He performed ablution in his house and then said, “Today I am going to stay close to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and spend the entire day with him.” He went to the mosque and asked for the Prophet. They answered, “He went in that direction.” I followed his trail, asking about him, until he entered Bīr Arīs. I sat at the entrance until the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) had relieved himself and made ablution. Then I approached him and found him sitting on the curb of Bīr Arīs, right in the middle of its ledge. He had uncovered his shins and was dangling his legs inside the well. I greeted him, withdrew, and sat by the door, saying to myself, “Today I will act as the gatekeeper of the Messenger of Allah.”

Abū Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) came and pushed the door. I asked, “Who is it?” He replied, “Abū Bakr.” I said, “Wait a moment,” went in, and said, “Messenger of Allah, Abū Bakr is seeking permission.” He said, “Grant him permission and give him the glad tidings of Paradise.” I returned to Abū Bakr and said, “Enter, for the Messenger of Allah gives you the glad tidings of Paradise.” He entered, sat to the right of the Prophet on the ledge, uncovered his shins, and let his legs hang in the well just as the Messenger of Allah had done.

I then went back and sat, having left my brother performing ablution so that he could join me. I thought, “If Allah wills good for so-and-so”—meaning my brother—“He will bring him.” Someone soon shook the door. I asked, “Who is it?” He replied, “ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb.” I said, “Wait a moment,” went to the Messenger of Allah, greeted him, and said, “ʿUmar is seeking permission.” He said, “Grant him permission and give him the glad tidings of Paradise.” I went to ʿUmar and said, “Enter, for the Messenger of Allah gives you the glad tidings of Paradise.” He entered and sat with the Messenger of Allah on