and its affection.” * Another narration reads: “Except the friendship of Islam.”

It also relates:

He said, “We were astonished at him, and the people said, ‘Look at this elderly man! The Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—is speaking of a servant whom Allah gave the choice between granting him some of the splendor of worldly life (1) and what is with Him, yet he says, “May our fathers and mothers be sacrificed for you!”’”

Another narration reads: “And He made clear what is with Him, so he chose what is with Him.” It also relates that he said:

“Do not weep. The person who has been most generous to me with his companionship and wealth is Abū Bakr. Were I to take an intimate friend from my community, I would have taken Abū Bakr; but ours is the brotherhood of Islam and its affection. * (2) Every doorway into the mosque must be closed except Abū Bakr’s.” (3)

Al-Bukhārī also narrated a hadith from Ibn ‘Abbās, who said:

During the illness from which he died, the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—came out with his head wrapped in a cloth and sat on the pulpit. He praised and extolled Allah, then said:

“No one has been more generous to me with his person and wealth than Abū Bakr ibn Abī Quhāfah. Were I to take an intimate friend from among the people, I would have taken Abū Bakr as an intimate friend; but the friendship of Islam is better. Close every small doorway into this mosque for me except Abū Bakr’s.”

Another narration reads:

“Were I to take an intimate friend from this community, I would have taken him; but the brotherhood of Islam is better.”

Another narration reads: “But he is my brother and companion.”

Al-Bukhārī also narrated it from Ibn al-Zubayr, who said: The Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him