with the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, when Abū Bakr approached, holding up the hem of his garment so that his knees were exposed. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

‘Your companion has become embroiled in a quarrel.’

Abū Bakr then offered the greeting of peace and said:

‘There was a disagreement between me and Ibn al-Khattāb. I spoke harshly to him, then regretted it and asked him to forgive me, but he refused. So I have come to you.’

The Prophet said three times, ‘May Allah forgive you, O Abū Bakr.’ Then Umar regretted it. He went to Abū Bakr’s house but did not find him there, so he went to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. The face of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, began to change, and he grew angry, until Abū Bakr became apprehensive and said twice, ‘O Messenger of Allah, I was more in the wrong.’

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, then said:

‘Allah sent me to you, but you said, “You are lying,” whereas Abū Bakr said, “You have spoken the truth” (1), and he supported me with his person and his wealth. Will you then leave my companion alone for my sake? Will you then leave my companion alone for my sake?’

After that, Abū Bakr was never harmed.”

Al-Bukhārī said, “He took the lead in doing good” (2).

It has already been related from the two Sahīh collections that, on the day of Uhud, Abū Sufyān asked only about the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, Abū Bakr, and Umar (3), since he and everyone else knew that these men were the leaders of Islam and that Islam was upheld through them.

Thus, when al-Rashīd asked Mālik ibn Anas about their standing with the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, Mālik replied:

“Their standing with him during his lifetime was like their place beside him after his death.”

Al-Rashīd said, “You have healed me, O Mālik! You have healed me, O Mālik!”