Selected authentic narrations from the book
Fadaa'il as-Sahaabah (Virtues of the Companions)
by al-Imaam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (may Allaah have mercy upon him)
Using the critical edition prepared by our teacher
ash-Shaykh Wasiullaah ibn Muhammad 'Abbaas
Lecturer at al-Masjid al-Haraam (the Grand Mosque in Makkah),
Umm al-Qura University Professor Emeritus
[5] Aboo Sa'eed [al-Khudree (may Allaah be pleased with him)] stated: the Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) said, "Do not insult my Companions. I swear by the One in whose hand my soul lies that if any one of you was to give an amount of gold in charity as large as the Uhud mountain, it would not yield the reward of a single mudd{1} - or even half a mudd - given by one of them."
Notes:
{1} A "mudd" refers to a standard volume measurement that was used in al-Madeenah during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection). Some contemporary researchers, using varied methods of measurement, have determined that the volume of one mudd is in the range from approximately 625ml to 750ml, and Allaah knows best. (See Hallaaq, al-Eedaahaat al-'Asriyyah p. 116; as-Sarheed, as-Saa' an-Nabawee p. 84).
\End of notes.
[6] Aboo Sa'eed [al-Khudree (may Allaah be pleased with him)] stated: Allaah's Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) said, "Do not insult my Companions. Indeed, if any one of you was to give an amount of gold in charity as large as the Uhud mountain, it would not yield the reward of single mudd - or even half a mudd - given by one of them."
[8](A) Anas ibn Maalik [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] stated: Allaah's Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) said, "If anyone insults my Companions. Allaah will expel that person from His mercy, and he will deserve to have all of the angels and all of mankind supplicate that he be expelled from Allaah's mercy."
[13](A) 'Abdur-Rahmaan ibn 'Awf [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] had complained to Allaah's Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) about Khaalid ibn al-Waleed [(may Allaah be pleased with him)]. As a result, Allaah's Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) said, "Khaalid, why are you extending harm to a man who participated in the Battle of Badr? Even if you gave an amount of gold in charity as large as the Uhud mountain, you would still not attain the magnitude of reward that he attained for the deeds that he performed." Khaalid replied, "Messenger of Allaah, they disparage me so I respond to them as a result." Allaah's Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) then said to the Companions, "Do not extend harm to Khaalid since he is indeed one of Allaah's swords which Allaah unleashed against those who continue to reject the truth."
[14] 'Aa'ishah [(may Allaah be pleased with her)] stated, "People were instructed to ask Allaah's forgiveness for the Companions of the Prophet Muhammad [(may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection)], but they insulted them instead."
[15] ['Abdullaah] ibn 'Umar [(may Allaah be pleased with both of them)] stated, "Do not insult the Companions of the Prophet Muhammad [(may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection)], since a short time spent by one of them in Allaah's obedience is certainly better than the deeds that one of you performs throughout the course of his entire life."
[19] Maymoon ibn Mihraan [- a taabi'ee (may Allaah have mercy upon him) -] stated, "Three things you must reject are: insulting the Companions of the Prophet Muhammad (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection), predicting events of the future based on the conditions of celestial objects, and wrongfully delving into issues about Allaah's preordainment."
[20] ['Abdullaah] ibn 'Umar [(may Allaah be pleased with both of them)] stated, "Do not insult the Companions of the Prophet Muhammad [(may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection)], since a short time spent by one of them in Allaah's obedience is certainly better than the worship that one of you performs throughout the span of forty years."
[23] Anas [ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him)] narrated that Aboo Bakr [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] narrated to him the following: I had said to the Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) while we were in the cave, (i.e. in the Thawr mountain), “If any one of them (i.e. the mushrikoon) looked down to his own two feet, he would surely see us right beneath his two feet.” The Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) replied, “Aboo Bakr, what do you think would happen to two people when Allaah is the third who is with the two of them (i.e. to support, guide, and protect them)?”
[Section] [al-Imaam Ahmad] was asked about virtues of Aboo Bakr as-Siddeeq (may Allaah have mercy upon him and be pleased with him)
[25] Aboo Hurayrah [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] stated: Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) said, “No wealth has ever benefitted me the way that Aboo Bakr’s wealth benefitted me.” Aboo Bakr then wept and said, “Is there any person who could be completely entitled to my own self and to my wealth besides you, Messenger of Allaah?”
[29](A) ‘Aa’ishah [(may Allaah be pleased with her)] narrated that Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) said, “No person’s wealth has benefitted us the way that Aboo Bakr’s wealth benefitted us.”
[32] Aboo Hurayrah [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] stated: Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) said, “Anyone who gives one type” – or he said, “two types” – “from any type of his wealth” – and I think he said, “in Allaah’s path” – “would be called by the keepers of Jannah who will say, ‘You, the individual who submits to Allaah in Islaam, this gate to Jannah is one of immense goodness, so come to it’.” Aboo Bakr remarked, “If a man is told that, there is no loss that he could suffer!” Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) then said, “No wealth has ever benefitted me except Aboo Bakr’s wealth.” Aboo Bakr wept and he said, “Did Allaah benefit me except due to you, and did Allaah elevate me except due to you?”
[38] an-Nu‘maan ibn Basheer [(may Allaah be pleased with both of them)] stated: Aboo Bakr once went and asked permission to enter the dwelling of the Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection). When Aboo Bakr did that, he heard ‘Aa’ishah (i.e. his daughter) raising her voice at Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection). The Prophet granted Aboo Bakr permission, so he entered and said, “Daughter of Umm Roomaan!”, and he took hold of her. He continued, “Are you raising your voice at the Messenger of Allaah?!” The Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) then stood between the two of them to restrain Aboo Bakr. After Aboo Bakr left, the Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) sought to appease ‘Aa’ishah by telling her, “Do you not realize that I came between the man and you in order to restrain him?” Aboo Bakr came again later on and asked permission to enter the dwelling of the Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection). When Aboo Bakr did that, he found the Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) joking with ‘Aa’ishah and she was joking back with him. The Prophet granted Aboo Bakr permission, so he entered. Aboo Bakr then said, “Messenger of Allaah, I would like the two of you to let me share in the time of peace between you just as you both let me share in the time of war between you.”
[39] an-Nu‘maan ibn Basheer [(may Allaah be pleased with both of them)] stated: Aboo Bakr once went to ask permission to enter the dwelling of Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection), and he heard ‘Aa’ishah (i.e. his daughter) saying in a raised voice, “I swear by Allaah that I certainly know ‘Alee is more beloved to you than my father.” She said that twice or thrice. Aboo Bakr then asked permission, entered after he was granted permission, extended his hand to take hold of her, and said, “Daughter of such-and-such woman, pay attention to this: I am hearing you raise your voice at the Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection)!”
[Section] [al-Imaam Ahmad] was asked about the statement of ‘Alee ibn Abee Taalib and others saying that the best individuals of this Ummah after its Prophet are Aboo Bakr and ‘Umar
[40](A) ‘Alee [ibn Abee Taalib (may Allaah be pleased with him)] said, “Pay attention to this: I will inform you of who the best individual among this Ummah is after its Prophet. It is Aboo Bakr. Pay attention to this as well: I will inform you of who the best individual among this Ummah is after Aboo Bakr. It is ‘Umar.”
[41](A) ‘Alee [ibn Abee Taalib (may Allaah be pleased with him)] said, “Pay attention to this: I will inform you of who the best individuals among this Ummah are after its Prophet. They are Aboo Bakr and ‘Umar.”
[44] ‘Alee [ibn Abee Taalib (may Allaah be pleased with him)] said, “Pay attention to this: I will inform you of who the best individual among this Ummah is after its Prophet.” The people present said, “Please do inform us.” He said, “It is Aboo Bakr.” He then said, “Pay attention to this: I will inform you of who the best individual among this Ummah is after Aboo Bakr.” Those present said, “Please do inform us.” He said, “It is ‘Umar.” He then said, “Shall I not tell you who the best individual among this Ummah is after ‘Umar?” Those present replied, “Please do inform us.” However, he remained quiet.
[45] ‘Alee [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] said, “The best person among this Ummah after its Prophet is Aboo Bakr; the best person among it after Aboo Bakr is ‘Umar; and if I wanted, I could name the third.”
[46](A) ‘Abdullaah [ibn Mas‘ood (may Allaah be pleased with him)] delivered an address in which he said, “ ‘Umar’s leadership of the Ummah was one of victory, and his governance was one of mercy. I swear by Allaah that I am sure shaytaan had remained afraid of introducing anything at all into Islaam during that time, out of fear that ‘Umar would annul whatever could be introduced into the religion and he would change it back to being the correct way. I swear by Allaah that if ‘Umar had love for even a mere dog, I would have love for that dog too.”
[47](A) Aboo ‘Uthmaan [an-Nahdee – a taabi‘ee (may Allaah have mercy upon him) –] used to say, “If Allaah willed to make this spear of mine speak, it would surely speak. I swear by Him that if ‘Umar was a balance, it would not deviate even as little as a strand of hair from remaining fair when weighing anything.”
[50](A) Wahb as-Suwaa’ee stated: ‘Alee [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] delivered an address to us in which he asked us, “Who is the best individual among this Ummah after its Prophet?” We replied, “Leader of the people of eemaan, you are.” He said, “Incorrect. The best individual among this Ummah after its Prophet is Aboo Bakr and then ‘Umar. In addition, we had not considered it farfetched for ‘Umar’s words to be ones worthy of our souls being drawn to them and our hearts finding tranquility with them.”
[51](A) Thakwaan – a former slave who was emancipated by ‘Aa’ishah [(may Allaah be pleased with her)] narrated that a small vessel [– a type used by women for storage of fragrances and other items –] had been brought from the direction of al-‘Iraaq and it had jewels in it. ‘Umar [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] then asked the Companions, “Would you allow me to send this to ‘Aa’ishah due to the love that Allaah’s Messenger had for her (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection)?” ‘Umar then sent it to her, and when she opened it she asked, “What is this?” Those who delivered to it her replied, “ ‘Umar sent it for you.” She then said, “What is there that has been opened up for the son of al-Khattaab after Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection)?!”
[53](A) [‘Abdullaah] ibn ‘Umar [(may Allaah be pleased with both of them)] stated, “During the lifetime of Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection), we considered Aboo Bakr, ‘Umar, and ‘Uthmaan to be better than others; and after them, we would not say that anyone was better than anyone else.”
[54] [‘Abdullaah] ibn ‘Umar [(may Allaah be pleased with both of them)] stated, “During the lifetime of the Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection), we did not consider anyone after the Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) to be at the same level as Aboo Bakr, then ‘Umar, then ‘Uthmaan; and after that, we would refrain from considering anyone better than anyone else.”
[55](A) [‘Abdullaah] ibn ‘Umar [(may Allaah be pleased with both of them)] stated, “While Allaah’s Messenger was alive (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection), we used to say: Aboo Bakr, ‘Umar, and ‘Uthmaan.”
[56] ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar [(may Allaah be pleased with both of them)] stated, “While Allaah’s Messenger was alive (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) we used to say that the most virtuous individual among the Ummah of Allaah’s Messenger after him is Aboo Bakr, then ‘Umar, then ‘Uthmaan.”
[57](A) [‘Abdullaah] ibn ‘Umar [(may Allaah be pleased with both of them)] stated, “During the lifetime of Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection), we used to say: the best individual among this Ummah after its Prophet is Aboo Bakr, then ‘Umar, then ‘Uthmaan.”
[58] [‘Abdullaah] ibn ‘Umar [(may Allaah be pleased with both of them)] stated, “While Allaah’s Messenger was alive (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) and many of his Companions were around, we would name them one-by-one: Aboo Bakr, then ‘Umar, then ‘Uthmaan, and after that we would stay quiet.”
[64] [‘Abdullaah] ibn ‘Umar [(may Allaah be pleased with both of them)] stated: A man from among the Ansaar came to me during the era when ‘Uthmaan was the Khaleefah (leader of the Muslim Ummah). The man then spoke to me and he was instructing me in his remarks to say disparaging things about ‘Uthmaan. The man spoke for a long time and he was a person whose tongue had a bit of heaviness, so there was almost no way for him to finish what he wanted to say quickly. ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar continued: When he finished his remarks, I said to him, “While Allaah’s Messenger was alive (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) we used to say that the most virtuous individual among the Ummah of Allaah’s Messenger after him is Aboo Bakr, then ‘Umar, then ‘Uthmaan. I swear by Allaah that we do not know ‘Uthmaan to have wrongfully killed any person or committed any major sin. However, what people are really making a problem about is this wealth [that belongs to ‘Uthmaan]. When he gives it to you, you are pleased; but when he gives it to any of his relatives, you are displeased. All that you people want is to be just like the lands of Persia and Rome: they do not leave any leader of theirs alone without killing him.”
[Section] The statement of the Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection), “If I were to take for myself any individual among mankind for whom I would specifically have utmost love due to the attachment of my heart to him and the need I have for him, I would have taken Aboo Bakr as that individual”
[67] [‘Abdullaah] ibn ‘Abbaas [(may Allaah be pleased with both of them)] stated: Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) came out to us during the illness from which he eventually passed away. He came out while his head was tied with a piece of cloth. He then sat on the minbar (podium from which he addressed the congregation), then praised Allaah and repeated His praises, and further said, “There is not person who has been more generous to me with his self and his wealth than Aboo Bakr ibn Abee Quhaafah; and if I were to take for myself any individual among mankind for whom I would specifically have utmost love due to the attachment of my heart to him and the need I have for him, I would have taken Aboo Bakr as that individual. However, the love that there is between us due to Islaam is what is most virtuous. I want all of you to close off from me every small door that opens into this masjid from any person’s dwelling, except for the door of Aboo Bakr.”
[68] ‘Aa’ishah [(may Allaah be pleased with her)] used to say: “The Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) passed away and there were individuals among the Arab people who then rejected Islaam after accepting it, and nifaaq increased in al-Madeenah. If the adversities that fell upon my father at that time had fallen upon the massive firmly anchored mountains, those adversities would have broken the mountains to bits even after they were put together so solidly. Furthermore, I swear by Allaah that any time people differed about even the slightest matter, my father was the one who had the greatest share and effectiveness in Islaam when it came to settling those differences.” ‘Aa’ishah [(may Allaah be pleased with her)] also used to say along with the preceding, “And if anyone saw ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab, they knew that he had been created as enrichment for Islaam so that it would not need anything else. I swear by Allaah that he was an astute individual. Nothing was blameworthy about him. He indeed had appropriate solutions prepared for all situations.”
[71] Jundub [ibn ‘Abdillaah al-Bajalee (may Allaah be pleased with him)] narrated that he heard the Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) say the following five days before he passed away: “Among you, I indeed had brothers and friends. However, I declare to Allaah – the Almighty and Most Majestic – that I am innocent of having anyone among you be an individual for whom I specifically have utmost love due to the attachment of my heart to him and the need I have for him. If I were to take for myself any individual among my Ummah for whom I would have that utmost love, I would have taken Aboo Bakr as that individual. However, my Lord – the Almighty and Most Majestic – has taken me for Himself as an individual to whom He specifically grants a degree of love greater than what is granted to others, just as He took my forefather, Ibraaheem, for Himself as an individual to whom He specifically granted a degree of love greater than what is granted to others. Pay attention to the following: People who preceded you used to make the burial sites of their Prophets and their righteous individuals into places where they performed acts of worship. Thus, you must not make any burial site a place where you perform acts of worship. I certainly prohibit you from that.”
[72](A) ‘Alee [ibn Abee Taalib (may Allaah be pleased with him)] stood on the minbar (podium), and he mentioned Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) and then said, “Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) passed away and Aboo Bakr was appointed as the Khaleefah (leader of the people of Islaam). His deeds and path were subsequently the same as those of the one who preceded him, and that continued until Allaah made him pass away while in that state. ‘Umar was then appointed as the Khaleefah. His deeds and path were subsequently the same as those of the two who preceded him, and that continued until Allaah made him pass away while in that state.”
[Section] The statement of the Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection), “Instruct Aboo Bakr to lead the people in prayer.”{1}
Notes:
{1} There is a hadeeth in this section with the wording mentioned in the heading. However, we have not included that hadeeth in our selections because its chain of narration was graded inauthentic.
\End of notes.
[82] Sa‘eed ibn Zayd [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] stated: We were once at the Hiraa’ mountain with the Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) and he said, “Hiraa’, remain tranquil, as there is none upon you besides one who is a Prophet, one who continually attests to the truthfulness of the Prophet, or one who is a martyr.” Sa‘eed ibn Zayd was asked, “Who were they?” He replied, “Aboo Bakr, ‘Umar, ‘Alee, ‘Uthmaan, Talhah, az-Zubayr, Sa‘d [ibn Abee Waqqaas], and [‘Abdur-Rahmaan] ibn ‘Awf.” He was asked, “Who was the tenth?” He replied, “I was”, referring to himself.
[85](A) Sa‘eed ibn Zayd [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] narrated that Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) had said, “There are ten who will be in Jannah: Aboo Bakr will be in Jannah; ‘Umar will be in Jannah; ‘Alee will be in Jannah; ‘Uthmaan will be in Jannah; az-Zubayr will be in Jannah; and so will Talhah, ‘Abdur-Rahmaan, Aboo ‘Ubaydah bin ‘Abdillaah” – meaning ibn al-Jarraah – “and Sa‘d ibn Abee Waqqaas.” Sa‘eed ibn Zayd counted out those nine and the people present then said to him, “Abul-A‘war, we ask you for Allaah’s sake to tell us: are you the tenth?” He replied, “Since you have asked me by Allaah, then I add: Abul-A‘war will be in Jannah.”
[87] Sa‘eed ibn Zayd [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] stated: “I heard Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) say, ‘The Prophet will be in Jannah, Aboo Bakr will be in Jannah, ‘Umar will be in Jannah, ‘Uthmaan will be in Jannah, ‘Alee will be in Jannah, Talhah will be in Jannah, az-Zubayr will be in Jannah, ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf will be in Jannah, Sa‘d will be in Jannah.’ And I could name the tenth for you if I wanted.” [Some sub-narrators of this hadeeth] mentioned that Sa‘eed ibn Zayd then mentioned himself as the tenth.
[Section] Remaining narrations related to the statement of the Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection), “Instruct Aboo Bakr to lead the people in prayer.”
[88](A) ‘Aa’ishah [(may Allaah be pleased with her)] – a wife of the Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) – narrated that Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) had said, “Instruct Aboo Bakr to lead the people in prayer.” ‘Aa’ishah replied, “Messenger of Allaah, it is indeed the case that if Aboo Bakr stood where you stand when leading the congregational prayer, he would be unable to make his voice heard.” Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) said, “Instruct Aboo Bakr to lead the people in prayer.” ‘Aa’ishah then said to Hafsah, “Tell him it is indeed the case that if Aboo Bakr stood to lead the congregational prayer, he would be unable to make his voice heard by the people due to his weeping; so you should instruct ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab to lead the people in prayer.” Hafsah then conveyed that but Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) replied, “Desist from doing this. Indeed, you women are most certainly like those women who came together to support each other in influencing the Prophet Yoosuf to do what they insisted on and were inclined towards. Instruct Aboo Bakr to lead the people in prayer.” Hafsah subsequently told ‘Aa’ishah, “I will certainly not attain anything good from you when I agree to support you in a manner like that.”
[90](A) Riyaah ibn al-Haarith stated: Were in the masjid with al-Mugheerah ibn Shu‘bah [– a Companion, may Allaah be pleased with him –] amidst a large number of people. Sa‘eed ibn Zayd ibn ‘Amr ibn Nufayl then came, al-Mugheerah made some space for him, told him “Over here”, and Sa‘eed then sat with al-Mugheerah on the raised seat where he was. A young man from al-Koofah named Qays ibn ‘Alqamah then came, faced al-Mugheerah, and said insulting things about someone again and again. Sa‘eed ibn Zayd asked, “Who is he insulting?” Al-Mugheerah replied, “He is insulting ‘Alee.” Sa‘eed said, “Mugheerah, I beseech Allaah to grant you His mercy. Is it really the case that I see Companions of Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) being insulted in your presence, yet you do not change that? I will not narrate anything from him that he did not say, so as to not end up having him ask me on the Day of Resurrection about ascribing false things to him. I heard him say, ‘Lying on me is indeed unlike lying on any other person. Anyone who deliberately lies on me must take his seat in the hellfire. Aboo Bakr will be in Jannah, ‘Umar will be in Jannah, ‘Alee will be in Jannah, ‘Uthmaan ibn ‘Affaan will be in Jannah, ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf and Sa‘d ibn Maalik will be in Jannah, az-Zubayr will be in Jannah, and Talhah will be in Jannah’.” Sa‘eed added, “As for the ninth of the Muslims, if I wanted to name him, I could certainly name him.” The people present then cried out in alarm and said, “Companion of Allaah’s Messenger, inform us of who the ninth of the Muslims is,” and they urged him to do so for Allaah’s sake. Sa‘eed then said, “Had you not asked me by Allaah, I would not inform you. I am the ninth of the people of eemaan, and Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) completes ten.” Sa‘eed added, “I swear by Allaah that just one instance of any man among them standing alongside Allaah’s Messenger, or being present in an expedition along with Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection), during which that man’s face got a bit of dust on it is certainly more virtuous than the worship that anyone among you performs throughout his entire life.”
[91](A) Sa‘eed ibn Zayd [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] had stated, “A single expedition in Allaah’s path for which any many among them was present for just one single day alongside Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection), during which that man’s face got a bit of dust on it, is certainly more virtuous than the deeds that anyone among you could perform even if he lived for as long as the Prophet Nooh.”
[92] Aboo Hurayrah [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] stated: Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) said, “While a man was once walking along as he was adorned in an outfit consisting of an upper and lower garment, and the outfit’s fine appearance filled him with arrogance, Allaah cased the ground beneath him to collapse and the man will continue sinking into it until the Day of Resurrection.” Both Aboo Bakr and ‘Umar bore witness to that even though neither Aboo Bakr nor ‘Umar were present when it happened.
[93](A) ‘Alee [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] stated: I was once with the Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) when Aboo Bakr and ‘Umar approached. Upon looking at the two of them, Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) said, “ ‘Alee, those two will be the leaders of all the adults who reached completion admitted to Jannah from all earlier and latter generations, except for the Prophets and Messengers.” He then added, “ ‘Alee, do not inform them of that.”
[96](A) Ibn Shihaab [az-Zuhree – a taabi‘ee (may Allaah have mercy upon him)] said: “Part of Aboo Bakr’s virtue is that there was never a single moment when he had any sort of doubt about Allaah, the Almighty and Most Majestic.”
[108](A) Aboo Ja‘far [– the taabi‘ee named Muhammad ibn ‘Alee ibn al-Husayn ibn ‘Alee ibn Abee Taalib, and commonly referred to as al-Baaqir (may Allaah have mercy upon him) –] stated: “Anyone who lacks knowledge about the virtue held by Aboo Bakr and ‘Umar certainly lacks knowledge about the Sunnah.”
[111](A) Wakee‘ ibn al-Jarraah [from a generation after the taabi‘een (may Allaah have mercy upon him)] stated: “If it were not for Aboo Bakr as-Siddeeq, Islaam would have disappeared.”
[114](A) Ahmad ibn ‘Abdillaah ibn Yoonus stated: I heard Wakee‘ say while we were travelling along the path to Makkah, “If it were not for Aboo Bakr as-Siddeeq, Islaam would have certainly disappeared.”
[115](A) Shu‘ayb ibn Harb [(may Allaah have mercy upon him)] motioned towards his son, kissed him, and then said to those present, “Do you know why I kissed Muhammad?” It is because he has dedicated himself to defending Aboo Bakr and ‘Umar.”
[118] Bakr ibn ‘Abdillaah [al-Muzanee, a taabi‘ee (may Allaah have mercy upon him)] stated, “Indeed, Aboo Bakr did not do outdo other people by being the one among them who prayed most and fasted most. He certainly only outdid them due to something that was in his heart.”
[126](A) ‘Abdur-Razzaaq [ibn Hammaam as-San‘aanee (may Allaah have mercy upon him)] said, “I swear by Allaah, never at all did my heart find it acceptable to consider ‘Alee more virtuous than Aboo Bakr or ‘Umar. I implore Allaah to grant His mercy to Aboo Bakr and ‘Umar, and I implore Allaah to grant His mercy to ‘Uthmaan. I further implore Allaah to grant His mercy to ‘Alee. Anyone who does not have love for them is certainly not a person of eemaan. Surely, among our deeds, the one we most strongly hope that Allaah would accept is our love for all of them (may Allaah be pleased with them all). We pray that Allaah protects us from anything that involves wronging even a single one of them in the least, and we pray that He gathers us in the hereafter among their collective and along with them. O Allaah, Lord of all creation, we implore You to respond to our supplication.
[127] Among those whom [Muhammad] ibn Is-haaq mentioned as having participated in the Battle of Badr was: “Aboo Bakr as-Siddeeq. Aboo Bakr was called ‘Ateeq{1}, and his name was ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Uthmaan ibn Ka‘b ibn ‘Amr ibn Sa‘d ibn Taym.”
Notes:
{1} ‘Abdullaah ibn az-Zubayr narrated that the Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) looked at Aboo Bakr one day then said, “This is the ‘Ateeq of Allaah [i.e. the one who has been emancipated and saved by Allaah] from the hellfire.” Hence, ever since then he was called ‘Ateeq, whereas the name he was known by before that was ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Uthmaan. [Saheeh. See Anees as-Saaree (10/917-920)].
\End of notes.
[Section] The following are narrations of Aboo Bakr ibn Maalik from other scholars he narrated from, and are not from ‘Abdullaah the son of al-Imaam Ahmad
[128](Q) ‘Abdu Khayr al-Hamdaanee stated: I heard ‘Alee ibn ‘Abee Taalib saying while on the minbar, “Indeed, the best individuals among this Ummah after the Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) are Aboo Bakr, then ‘Umar; and after their passing, we were certainly involved in various unprecedented things. Allaah will pass judgment regarding those things in the way that is beloved to Him.”
[130](Q) Aboo Juhayfah [also known as Wahb al-Khayr (may Allaah be pleased with him)] said, “I heard ‘Alee [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] say, ‘Pay attention to this: the best individuals among this Ummah after its Prophet are Aboo Bakr then ‘Umar, and Allaah knows best who comes third after them.”
[131](Q) Aboo Sa‘eed al-Khudree [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] said, “Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) said, ‘The people who are in the highest ranks of Jannah will certainly be seen by those below them just as you see a brightly shining star in the sky. Indeed, Aboo Bakr and ‘Umar are among those people, and will – in fact – be even higher in virtue and blessed with even more’.”
[134](Q) [‘Abdullaah] ibn ‘Abbaas [(may Allaah be pleased with both of them)] stated: Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) came out to us during the illness from which he eventually passed away. He came out while his head was tied with a piece of cloth. He then sat on the minbar (podium from which he addressed the congregation), praised Allaah and repeated His praises, then said, “There is no person who has been more generous to me with his self and his wealth than [Aboo Bakr] the son of Aboo Quhaafah; and if I were to take for myself any individual among mankind for whom I would specifically have utmost love due to the attachment of my heart to him and the need I have for him, I would have taken Aboo Bakr as that individual. However, the love that there is between us due to Islaam is what is most virtuous. I want all of you to close off from me every small door that opens into this masjid from any person’s dwelling, except for the door of Aboo Bakr.”
[136](Q) Muhammad the son of al-Hanafiyyah – and he, Muhammad, is the son of ‘Alee ibn Abee Taalib [(may Allaah be pleased with him), al-Hanafiyyah being an ascription to his mother] – said, “I had once inquired, ‘My father, who is the best individual among this Ummah after Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection)?’ He replied, ‘Aboo Bakr’. I asked, ‘Then who?’ He replied, ‘ ‘Umar’.” Muhammad said, “I was hesitant to ask ‘Then who?’ again lest he reply by saying, ‘ ‘Uthmaan’ so I asked instead, ‘Then you, my father?’{1} He replied, ‘Your father is just a man among the Muslims’.”
Notes:
{1} Scholars explained that the reason Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyyah worried about his father saying that ‘Uthmaan is the next best individual was that he believed his father to be more virtuous, and he did not wish to become confused regarding this topic. This is especially so considering that Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyyah was young at the time as he himself explained according to alternate wording of this report from another route of narration. In it, he said, “Because of my young age at the time, I hastened to say, ‘Then you, my father?” It should also be kept in mind that there was initially a difference of opinion regarding which of the two men – ‘Uthmaan or ‘Alee – held more virtuous standing after Aboo Bakr and ‘Umar. However, there was eventually consensus among the scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah that the order of the four Khulafaa’ in terms of their virtue is the same as the chronological order in which each one of them served as a Khaleefah. (See Fath al-Baaree 7/33, Mashaariq al-Anwaar al-Wahhaajah 3/117).
\End of notes.
[End of section containing narrations of Aboo Bakr ibn Maalik from other than ‘Abdullaah the son of al-Imaam Ahmad]
[140] Aboo Moosaa al-Ash‘aree [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] stated: Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) became ill, so he said, “Instruct Aboo Bakr to lead the people in prayer.” ‘Aa’ishah replied, “Messenger of Allaah, Aboo Bakr is certainly a soft-hearted man [who cries easily while reciting the Qur’aan when praying].” Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) said, “Instruct Aboo Bakr to lead the people in prayer. Indeed, you women are most certainly like those women who came together to support each other in influencing the Prophet Yoosuf to do what they insisted on and were inclined towards.” As a result, Aboo Bakr led the people in prayer and that took place while Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) was still alive.
[141](A) ‘Alee [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] stated: I was once with the Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) when Aboo Bakr and ‘Umar approached. Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) said, “ ‘Alee, after the Prophets and Messengers, those two will be the leaders of all the adults who reached completion admitted to Jannah, and of the young people admitted to Jannah.”
[142] ‘Alee ibn Abee Taalib [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] stated: Whenever I would hear a hadeeth directly from Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection), Allaah would allow me to glean as much benefit from it as He willed; and whenever anyone conveyed a hadeeth to me, I would ask him to swear by Allaah [in order to confirm that he actually heard it from Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection)], and once he did so I would accept what he said as being true. Indeed, Aboo Bakr conveyed to me – and everything Aboo Bakr said was the truth – that he heard the Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) say, “Whenever any individual commits a sin, then performs wudoo’ properly, and follows that by performing two units of prayer and beseeching Allaah – the Almighty and Most Majestic – to forgive him, that individual would surely be forgiven.”
[143] ‘Amr ibn Qays stated: I heard Ja‘far ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Alee [(may Allaah have mercy upon him)] say, “Allaah has disavowed anyone who disavows Aboo Bakr and ‘Umar”.
[146] Aboo Sa‘eed al-Khudree [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] narrated that they had set out on a journey with Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection). When it was time to stop for a rest, they divided into groups: one group in the company of one person, and another and in the company of another person. Aboo Sa‘eed said: I had stopped to rest in the company of Aboo Bakr, and we had a bedouin with us who resided in a rural area. We were hosted during that stop by a bedouin family, and there was a pregnant woman among them. The bedouin in our company told her, “I can most surely convey to you the glad tidings of giving birth to a boy; if you give me a sheep, you will give birth to a boy.” Hence, she gave him a sheep, and he recited some rhyming words to her. Aboo Sa‘eed continued: The bedouin slaughtered that sheep. Then, while people sat together to eat, a man said, “Do you know the story behind this sheep?” and he proceeded to tell them about it. Aboo Sa‘eed said: I then saw Aboo Bakr out in the open facing a certain direction, and vomiting what he ate.
[147](A) Maymoon ibn Mihraan [(may Allaah have mercy upon him) from the generation of the taabi‘een] narrated that ‘Umar [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] said to Aboo Bakr [(may Allaah be pleased with him)], “Extend your hand so that we may pledge allegiance to you.” Aboo Bakr replied, “What are you pledging allegiance to me for? I swear by Allaah that neither am I the one among you who does the most in terms of fulfilling Allaah’s commands and avoiding His prohibitions, nor am I the one among you with the most strength. The individual among us who does the most in terms of fulfilling Allaah’s commands and avoiding His prohibitions is Saalim” – referring to the emancipated slave adopted by Aboo Huthayfah – “and the individual among us with the most strength is ‘Umar.” ‘Umar reiterated, “Extend your hand” and he read Allaah’s statement, ((The two of them were in that cave at the mountain called Thawr when the Prophet told his companion, “Do not grieve. Allaah is certainly with us to support, guide, and protect.”)) [9:40]. Maymoon continued: They then pledged allegiance to Aboo Bakr and allocated a stipend of two thousand dirhams for him. Aboo Bakr said, “I kindly request that you increase my stipend. By choosing me for this position, you have prevented me from pursuing my livelihood through commerce, and I have a family to support.” Hence, they gave him an increase of five hundred dirhams, and also allocated for him one sheep on a daily basis with which he could feed those in need among the Muslims. Aboo Bakr then said, “I kindly request that if my family were to have the sheep’s head and lower legs, you would approve of them doing so,” and they did approve.
[148](A) ‘Abdullaah ibn Ja‘far [ibn Abee Taalib (may Allaah be pleased with him)] said, “Aboo Bakr assumed leadership over us, and there was no one else like him among all the other people who assumed leadership over us after him.”
[149] Aboo Hurayrah [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] narrated that the Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) said, “In a dream, I saw myself at a well that had no wall around its opening. I was drawing out water with a bucket. Then, Aboo Bakr took that bucket and drew out one – or rather, two – bucketfuls with a bit of weakness as he drew, and Allaah will bestow mercy upon him. Then, ‘Umar took that bucket and continued drawing out water until the bucket eventually transformed into a very large one like those made from bull skin and used to draw out water for camels. ‘Umar drew out so much water that people and their camels drank their fill, and the camels sat down to rest. I have not seen any strong leader among his people drawing out water in a more proficient manner than ‘Umar did.”
[154] Aboo Sa‘eed al-Khudree [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] stated, “Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) came out to us during the illness from which he eventually passed away. He came out while his head was tied with a piece of cloth.” Aboo Sa‘eed continued by saying, “I followed him until he ascended the minbar (podium from which he addressed the congregation), and he then said, ‘At this very moment, I am certainly standing at the Hawd (immense cistern which I have been granted in the hereafter).’ Aboo Sa‘eed further said, “[Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection)] then said, ‘A worshipping servant of Allaah was offered the life of this world and the adornments it contains; however, he chose the hereafter.’ No one among those present understood what that statement was referring to except Aboo Bakr who then said, ‘I would readily part with my own father and mother to safeguard you from all harm; rather, we are all willing to part with our wealth, our souls, and our children in exchange for you’. Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) then descended from the minbar; and from then until he passed away, he was not seen on it again.
[155] ‘Abdullaah [ibn Mas‘ood (may Allaah be pleased with him)] stated: Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) said, “Pay attention to this: I certainly disavow anyone’s claim for there to be utmost love between us due to the attachment of my heart to him and the need I have for him; and if I were to take for myself any individual for whom I would specifically have that utmost love, I would have taken Aboo Bakr as that individual. However, your companion” [– referring to himself –] “certainly has that utmost love for Allaah, and Allaah has taken him as the individual to whom He specifically granted a degree of love greater than what He granted to others.”
[156] [‘Abdullaah] ibn Mas‘ood [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] stated: Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) said, “If I were to take for myself any individual for whom I would specifically have utmost love due to the attachment of my heart to him and the need I have for him, I would have taken [Aboo Bakr] – the son of Aboo Quhaafah – as that individual”.
[161] ‘Ubaid ibn Sulaymaan stated: I heard ad-Dahhaak explaining the statement of Allaah – the Almighty and Most Majestic – [in Sooratut-Tahreem, aayah 4, in which Allaah said,] ((and the righteous people who accept and comply with the truth from Allaah)). Ad-Dahhaak said, “It refers to the best individuals among the people who accept and comply with the truth from Allaah: Aboo Bakr and ‘Umar”.
