"Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "A time will come upon the people, when a group of people will wage a holy war and it will be said, 'Is there amongst you anyone who has accompanied Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)?' They will say, 'Yes.' And so victory will be bestowed on them. Then a time will come upon the people when a group of people will wage a holy war, and it will be said, "Is there amongst you anynone who has accompanied the companions of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)?' They will say, 'Yes.' And so victory will be bestowed on them. Then a time will come upon the people when a group of people will wage a holy war, and it will be said, "Is there amongst you anyone who has been in the company of the companions of the companions of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) ?' They will say, 'Yes.' And victory will be bestowed on them."

"Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, 'The best of my followers are those living in my generation (i.e. my contemporaries). and then those who will follow the latter" `Imran رضی اللہ عنہ added, "I do not remember whether he mentioned two or three generations after his generation, then the Prophet (ﷺ) added, 'There will come after you, people who will bear witness without being asked to do so, and will be treacherous and untrustworthy, and they will vow and never fulfill their vows, and fatness will appear among them."

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The best people are those living in my generation, and then those who will follow them, and then those who will follow the latter. Then there will come some people who will bear witness before taking oaths, and take oaths before bearing witness." (Ibrahim, a sub-narrator said, "They used to beat us for witnesses and covenants when we were still children.")

Abu Bakr رضی اللہ عنہ bought a (camel) saddle from `Azib رضی اللہ عنہ for thirteen Dirhams. Abu Bakr said to `Azib, "Tell Al- Bara' رضی اللہ عنہ to carry the saddle for me." `Azib رضی اللہ عنہ said, "No, unless you relate to me what happened to you and Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) when you left Mecca while the pagans were in search of you." Abu Bakr رضی اللہ عنہ said, "We left Mecca and we traveled continuously for that night and the following day till it was midday. I looked (around) searching for shade to take as shelter, and suddenly I came across a rock, and found a little shade there. So I cleaned the place and spread a bed for the Prophet (ﷺ) in the shade and said to him, 'Lie down, O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ).' So the Prophet (ﷺ) lay down and I went out, looking around to see if there was any person pursuing us. Suddenly I saw a shepherd driving his sheep towards the rock, seeking what we had already sought from it. I asked him, 'To whom do you belong, O boy?' He said, 'I belong to a man from Quraish.' He named the man and I recognized him. I asked him, 'Is there any milk with your sheep?' He said, 'Yes.' I said, 'Will you then milk (some) for us?' He said, 'Yes.' Then I asked him to tie the legs of one of the sheep and clean its udder, and then ordered him to clean his hands from dust. Then the shepherd cleaned his hands by striking his hands against one another. After doing so, he milked a small amount of milk. I used to keep for Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) a leather water-container, the mouth of which was covered with a piece of cloth. I poured water on the milk container till its lower part was cold. Then I took the milk to the Prophet (ﷺ) whom I found awake. I said to him, 'Drink, O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ).' So he drank till I became pleased. Then I said, 'It is time for us to move, O Allah's Apostle!' He said, 'Yes.' So we set out while the people (i.e. Quraish pagans) were searching for us, but none found us except Suraqah bin Malik bin Ju`shum who was riding his horse. I said, 'These are our pursuers who have found us. O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)!' He said, 'Do not grieve, for Allah is with us."

I said to the Prophet (ﷺ) while I was in the Cave. "If any of them should look under his feet, he would see us." He said, "O Abu Bakr! What do you think of two (persons) the third of whom is Allah?"

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) addressed the people saying, "Allah has given option to a slave to choose this world or what is with Him. The slave has chosen what is with Allah." Abu Bakr رضی اللہ عنہ wept, and we were astonished at his weeping caused by what the Prophet (ﷺ) mentioned as to a Slave ( of Allah) who had been offered a choice, (we learned later on) that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) himself was the person who was given the choice, and that Abu Bakr رضی اللہ عنہ knew best of all of us. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) added, "The person who has favored me most of all both with his company and wealth, is Abu Bakr رضی اللہ عنہ . If I were to take a Khalil other than my Lord, I would have taken Abu Bakr رضی اللہ عنہ as such, but (what relates us) is the Islamic brotherhood and friendliness. All the gates of the Mosque should be closed except the gate of Abu Bakr رضی اللہ عنہ ."

We used to compare the people as to who was better during the lifetime of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) . We used to regard Abu Bakr رضی اللہ عنہ as the best, then `Umar رضی اللہ عنہ, and then `Uthman .

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "If I were to take a Khalil, I would have taken Abu Bakr, but he is my brother and my companion (in Islam).

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "If I were to take a Khalil, I would have taken him (i.e. Abu Bakr) as a Khalil, but the Islamic brotherhood is better."

The people of Kufa sent a letter to Ibn Az-Zubair رضی اللہ عنہما, asking about (the inheritance of) (paternal) grandfather. He replied that the right of the inheritance of (paternal) grandfather is the same as that of father if the father is dead) and added, "Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, ' If I were to take a Khalil from this nation, I would have taken him (i.e. Abu Bakr رضی اللہ عنہما).

A woman came to the Prophet (ﷺ) who ordered her to return to him again. She said, "What if I came and did not find you?" as if she wanted to say, "If I found you dead?" The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "If you should not find me, go to Abu Bakr."

I saw Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and there was none with him but five slaves, two women and Abu Bakr (i.e. those were the only converts to Islam then).

While I was sitting with the Prophet, Abu Bakr رضی اللہ عنہ came, lifting up one corner of his garment uncovering his knee. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Your companion has had a quarrel." Abu Bakr رضی اللہ عنہ greeted (the Prophet (ﷺ) ) and said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! There was something (i.e. quarrel) between me and the Son of Al-Khattab. I talked to him harshly and then regretted that, and requested him to forgive me, but he refused. This is why I have come to you." The Prophet (ﷺ) said thrice, "O Abu Bakr! May Allah forgive you." In the meanwhile, `Umar رضی اللہ عنہ regretted (his refusal of Abu Bakr's excuse) and went to Abu Bakr's house and asked if Abu Bakr رضی اللہ عنہ was there. They replied in the negative. So he came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and greeted him, but signs of displeasure appeared on the face of the Prophet (ﷺ) till Abu Bakr pitied (`Umar رضی اللہ عنہ), so he knelt and said twice, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! By Allah! I was more unjust to him (than he to me)." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Allah sent me (as a Prophet) to you (people) but you said (to me), 'You are telling a lie,' while Abu Bakr said, 'He has said the truth,' and consoled me with himself and his money." He then said twice, "Won't you then give up harming my companion?" After that nobody harmed Abu Bakr رضی اللہ عنہ.

The Prophet (ﷺ) deputed me to read the Army of Dhat-as-Salasil. I came to him and said, "Who is the most beloved person to you?" He said, " `Aisha رضی اللہ عنہا ." I asked, "Among the men?" He said, "Her father." I said, "Who then?" He said, "Then `Umar bin Al-Khattab رضی اللہ عنہ ." He then named other men.

I heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) saying, "While a shepherd was amongst his sheep, a wolf attacked them and took away one sheep. When the shepherd chased the wolf, the wolf turned towards him and said, 'Who will be its guard on the day of wild animals when nobody except I will be its shepherd. And while a man was driving a cow with a load on it, it turned towards him and spoke to him saying, 'I have not been created for this purpose, but for ploughing." The people said, "Glorified be Allah." The Prophet said, "But I believe in it and so does Abu Bakr end `Umar."

I heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) saying, "While I was sleeping, I saw myself standing at a well, on it there was a bucket. I drew water from the well as much as Allah wished. Then Ibn Abi Quhafa (i.e. Abu Bakr رضی اللہ عنہ) took the bucket from me and brought out one or two buckets (of water) and there was weakness in his drawing the water. May Allah forgive his weakness for him. Then the bucket turned into a very big one and Ibn Al-Khattab رضی اللہ عنہ took it over and I had never seen such a mighty person amongst the people as him in performing such hard work, till the people drank to their satisfaction and watered their camels that knelt down there."

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Allah will not look on the Day of Judgment at him who drags his robe (behind him) out of pride." Abu Bakr رضی اللہ عنہ said "One side of my robe slacks down unless I get very cautious about it." Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "But you do not do that with a pride." Musa bin Uqbah inquired from Saalim whether Hadrat Abdullah bin Umer رضی اللہ عنہ said: جَرَّ إِزَارَهُ. He replied: No but I have heard "ثَوْبَهُ‏".

I heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) saying, "Anybody who spends a pair of something in Allah's Cause will be called from all the gates of Paradise, "O Allah's slave! This is good.' He who is amongst those who pray will be called from the gate of the prayer (in Paradise) and he who is from the people of Jihad will be called from the gate of Jihad, and he who is from those' who give in charity (i.e. Zakat) will be called from the gate of charity, and he who is amongst those who observe fast will be called from the gate of fasting, the gate of Raiyan." Abu Bakr رضی اللہ عنہ said, "He who is called from all those gates will need nothing," He added, "Will anyone be called from all those gates, O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)?" He said, "Yes, and I hope you will be among those, O Abu Bakr."

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) died while Abu Bakr رضی اللہ عنہ was at a place called As-Sunah (Al-'Aliya). Ismail the transmitter, says: That Madinah heights. So, 'Umar رضی اللہ عنہ stood up and said, "By Allah! Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) is not dead!" 'Umar رضی اللہ عنہ (later on) said, "By Allah! Nothing occurred to my mind except that." He said, "Verily! Allah will resurrect him and he will cut the hands and legs of some men." Then Abu Bakr رضی اللہ عنہ came and uncovered the face of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ), kissed him and said, "Let my mother and father be sacrificed for you, (O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)), you are good in life and in death. By Allah in Whose Hands my life is, Allah will never make you taste death twice." Then he went out and said, "O oath-taker! Don't be hasty." When Abu Bakr رضی اللہ عنہ spoke, 'Umar رضی اللہ عنہ sat down. Abu Bakr رضی اللہ عنہ praised and glorified Allah and said, No doubt! Whoever worshipped Muhammad, then Muhammad is dead, but whoever worshipped Allah, then Allah is Alive and shall never die." Then he recited Allah's Statement.:-- "(O Muhammad) Verily you will die, and they also will die." (39.30) He also recited:-- "Muhammad is no more than an Apostle; and indeed many Apostles have passed away, before him, If he dies Or is killed, will you then Turn back on your heels? And he who turns back On his heels, not the least Harm will he do to Allah And Allah will give reward to those Who are grateful." (3.144) The people wept loudly, and the Ansar were assembled with Sad bin 'Ubada in the shed of Bani Saida. They said (to the emigrants). "There should be one 'Amir from us and one from you." Then Abu Bakr رضی اللہ عنہ, Umar bin Al-Khattab رضی اللہ عنہ and Abu 'baida bin Al-Jarrah went to them. 'Umar رضی اللہ عنہ wanted to speak but Abu Bakr رضی اللہ عنہ stopped him. 'Umar رضی اللہ عنہ later on used to say, "By Allah, I intended only to say something that appealed to me and I was afraid that Abu Bakr رضی اللہ عنہ would not speak so well. Then Abu Bakr رضی اللہ عنہ spoke and his speech was very eloquent. He said in his statement, "We are the rulers and you (Ansars) are the ministers (i.e. advisers)," Hubab bin Al-Mundhir said, "No, by Allah we won't accept this. But there must be a ruler from us and a ruler from you." Abu Bakr رضی اللہ عنہ said, "No, we will be the rulers and you will be the ministers, for they (i.e. Quarish) are the best family amongst the 'Arabs and of best origin. So you should elect either 'Umar رضی اللہ عنہ or Abu 'Ubaida bin Al-Jarrah as your ruler." 'Umar رضی اللہ عنہ said (to Abu Bakr), "No but we elect you, for you are our chief and the best amongst us and the most beloved of all of us to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)." So 'Umar took Abu Bakr's hand and gave the pledge of allegiance and the people too gave the pledge of allegiance to Abu Bakr رضی اللہ عنہ . Someone said, "You have killed Sad bin Ubada." 'Umar رضی اللہ عنہ said, "Allah has killed him."

("When the Prophet (ﷺ) was on his death-bed) he looked up and said thrice, (Amongst) the Highest Companion (See Qur'an 4.69)' Aisha رضی اللہ عنہ said, Allah benefited the people by their two speeches. 'Umar رضی اللہ عنہ frightened the people some of whom were hypocrites whom Allah caused to abandon Islam because of 'Umar's speech. Then Abu Bakr رضی اللہ عنہ led the people to True Guidance and acquainted them with the right path they were to follow so that they went out reciting: -- "Muhammad is no more than an Apostle and indeed many Apostles have passed away before him.." (3.144)

I asked my father (`Ali bin Abi Talib رضی اللہ عنہ ), "Who are the best people after Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) ?" He said, "Abu Bakr رضی اللہ عنہ ." I asked, "Who then?" He said, "Then `Umar رضی اللہ عنہ . " I was afraid he would say "Uthman رضی اللہ عنہ , so I said, "Then you?" He said, "I am only an ordinary person.

We went out with Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) on one of his journeys till we reached Al-Baida or Dhatul-Jaish where my necklace got broken (and lost). Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) stopped to search for it and the people too stopped with him. There was no water at that place and they had no water with them. So they went to Abu Bakr رضی اللہ عنہ and said, "Don't you see what `Aisha رضی اللہ عنہا has done? She has made Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and the people stop where there is no water and they have no water with them. Abu Bakr رضی اللہ عنہ came while Allah's Apostle was sleeping with his head on my thigh and said, "You detained Allah Apostle and the people where there is no water and they have no water." He then admonished me and said what Allah wished and pinched me at my flanks with his hands, but I did not move because the head of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was on my thigh . Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) kept on sleeping till be got up in the morning and found no water. Then Allah revealed the Divine Verse of Tayammum, and the people performed Tayammum. Usaid bin AlHudair رضی اللہ عنہ said. "O family of Abu Bakr! This is not the first blessings of yours." We urged the camel on which I was sitting to get up from its place and the necklace was found under it.

The Prophet (ﷺ)said, "Do not abuse my companions for if any one of you spent gold equal to Uhud (in Allah's Cause) it would not be equal to a Mud or even a half Mud spent by one of them." Moreover, Jareer, Abdullah bin Dawood, Abu Moaviyah, Muhadir has corroborated him from Aamash.

I performed ablution in my house and then went out and said, "Today I shall stick to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and stay with him all this day of mine (in his service)." I went to the Mosque and asked about the Prophet . They said, "He had gone in this direction." So I followed his way, asking about him till he entered a place called Bir Aris. I sat at its gate that was made of date-palm leaves till the Prophet (ﷺ) finished answering the call of nature and performed ablution. Then I went up to him to see him sitting at the well of Aris at the middle of its edge with his legs uncovered, hanging in the well. I greeted him and went back and sat at the gate. I said, "Today I will be the gatekeeper of the Prophet." Abu Bakr رضی اللہ عنہ came and pushed the gate. I asked, "Who is it?" He said, "Abu Bakr رضی اللہ عنہ ." I told him to wait, went in and said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Abu Bakr رضی اللہ عنہ asks for permission to enter." He said, "Admit him and give him the glad tidings that he will be in Paradise." So I went out and said to Abu Bakr رضی اللہ عنہ , "Come in, and Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) gives you the glad tidings that you will be in Paradise" Abu Bakr رضی اللہ عنہ entered and sat on the right side of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) on the built edge of the well and hung his legs n the well as the Prophet (ﷺ) did and uncovered his legs. I then returned and sat (at the gate). I had left my brother performing ablution and he intended to follow me. So I said (to myself). "If Allah wants good for so-and-so (i.e. my brother) He will bring him here." Suddenly somebody moved the door. I asked, "Who is it?" He said, "`Umar bin Al-Khattab رضی اللہ عنہ ." I asked him to wait, went to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ), greeted him and said, `Umar bin Al-Khattab رضی اللہ عنہ asks the permission to enter." He said, "Admit him, and give him the glad tidings that he will be in Paradise." I went to "`Umar رضی اللہ عنہ and said "Come in, and Allah's Messenger (ﷺ), gives you the glad tidings that you will be in Paradise." So he entered and sat beside Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) on the built edge of the well on the left side and hung his legs in the well. I returned and sat (at the gate) and said, (to myself), "If Allah wants good for so-and-so, He will bring him here." Somebody came and moved the door. I asked "Who is it?" He replied, "Uthman bin `Affan." I asked him to wait and went to the Prophet (ﷺ) and informed him. He said, "Admit him, and give him the glad tidings of entering Paradise, I asked him to wait and went to the Prophet (ﷺ) and informed him. He said, "Adult him, and give him the glad tidings of entering Paradise after a calamity that will befall him." So I went up to him and said to him, "Come in; Allah's Apostle gives you the glad tidings of entering Paradise after a calamity that will befall you. "Uthman رضی اللہ عنہ then came in and found that the built edge of the well was occupied, so he sat opposite to the Prophet (ﷺ) on the other side. Sa`id bin Al-Musaiyab said, "I interpret this (narration) in terms of their graves."

The Prophet (ﷺ) once climbed the mountain of Uhud with Abu Bakr, `Umar and `Uthman رضی اللہ عنہم . The mountain shook with them. The Prophet (ﷺ) said (to the mountain), "Be firm, O Uhud! For on you there are no more than a Prophet, a Siddiq and two martyrs.