were left behind (1), or anyone suspected of hypocrisy. Medina was secure, and there was no fear for its inhabitants; nor did the appointed deputy need to engage in jihad, as was required in most such appointments.
The same applies to the statement:
“He closed all the doors except Alī’s door.”
This is one of the reports fabricated by the Shia as a counterclaim (2). The report found in the Sahih, narrated by Abū Saīd from the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—is that he said during the illness from which he died:
“Of all people, Abū Bakr has shown me the greatest favor through his wealth and companionship. If I were to take an intimate friend other than my Lord, I would take Abū Bakr as an intimate friend. But ours is the brotherhood and affection of Islam. Every small doorway opening into the mosque is to be closed except Abū Bakr’s.”
Ibn Abbās also narrated it in both Sahih collections (3).
The same applies to the statement:
“You are my guardian in relation to every believer after me.”
For this
(1) The phrase “those who were left behind” is absent from manuscripts (ن), (م), and (و).
(2) Ibn al-Jawzī cited this portion of the fabricated hadith of Amr ibn Maymūn in *al-Mawdu'āt*, 1/364, and ruled it fabricated at 1/366. He stated that this hadith, through this chain and others, is fabricated, then said: “All these hadiths were fabricated by the *Rāfida* (rejectionist Shia) to counter the hadith whose authenticity is agreed upon: ‘Close all the doors except Abū Bakr’s.’”
(3) The hadith was cited earlier at 1/512. The narration from Abd Allāh ibn Abbās—may Allah be pleased with them both—appears in al-Bukhārī, 1/96–97, Book of Prayer, chapter “Small Doorways and Passageways in the Mosque”; and 5/4, Book of the Virtues of the Prophet’s Companions, chapter “The Prophet’s Statement—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—‘Had I Been to Take an Intimate Friend.’” It also appears in Muslim, narrated from Abd Allāh ibn Masūd and Abd Allāh ibn Abbās—may Allah be pleased with them—, 4/1855–1856, Book of the Virtues of the Companions, chapter “Some of the Virtues of Abū Bakr.” Shaykh Ahmad Shākir expressly noted that Muslim’s version is narrated from Ibn Abbās when the hadith appears in the *Musnad*, al-Ma'ārif ed., 5/202, no. 3580. The hadith had previously appeared from Ibn Abbās in the *Musnad*, al-Ma'ārif ed., 4/143, no. 2432; an excerpt also appears at 5/254, no. 3689.