`Umar reported God's messenger as saying, "Honour my companions, for they are the best of you; then those who follow them immediately; then those who follow them immediately. Then falsehood will appear so that a man will swear oaths without being asked to do so, and give testimony Without being asked to do so. He who would like to get to the very middle of paradise must adhere to the community, for the devil is with a single person, but farther away from two. A man must not be alone with a woman, for the devil makes a third along with them. He who is pleased by his good deeds and vexed by his evil gives various explanations of this, including unjustified pride, unjustified claims to nobility, acquisition of wealth, elaborate food and drink, neglect of religious duties. It is obviously some unsatisfactory characteristic which is intended. The various meanings suggested might be combined by treating it as meaning fine living which leads to neglect of religion deeds is a believer." ...transmitted it. The source is omitted in the Mishkat. Mirqat, 5:521, says it is rendered by Nasai. I have not discovered it in Nasai, but there is a version of the tradition containing the various details but differing slightly in wording in Tirmidhi, Fitan, 7.

Jabir reported the Prophet as saying, "Hell will not touch a Muslim who has seen me or seen one who has seen me." Tirmidhi transmitted it.

`Abdallah b. Mughaffal reported God's messenger as saying, "Fear God regarding my companions, fear God regarding my companions, and do not make them a target[*] after I am gone. He who loves them does so from love of me, and he who hates them does so from hatred of me. He who injures them has injured me, he who injures me has injured God, and he who injures God will soon be punished by Him." *This refers to criticizing them and speaking evil of them. Tirmidhi transmitted it,saying this is a gharib tradition.

Anas reported God's messenger as saying, "Among my people my companions are like salt in food, for food is good only when there is salt in it." Al-Hasan[*] said, "Our salt has gone, so how can we be good?" *i.e., Al Hasan al Basri. It is transmitted in Sharh as-sunna.

`Abdallah b. Buraida told that his father quoted the Prophet as saying, "Not one of my companions will die in a land without being raised as a leader and a light for its people on the day of resurrection." Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this a gharib tradition.

Ibn `Umar reported God's messenger as saying, "When you see people who revile my companions say, 'God's curse be on your worst ones'." Tirmidhi transmitted it.

`Umar b. al-Khattab told he heard God's messenger say he had asked his Lord about disagreement among his companions after his death and received the revelation, "Your companions, Muhammad, are in my estimation in the position of the stars in the sky, some stronger than others, but all having light. So, I consider him who holds to anything about which they disagree to be rightly guided." He also told that God's messenger said, "My companions are like the stars, so whichever of them you copy, you will be guided." Razin transmitted it.

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported the Prophet as saying, "The one who has been most generous to me with his companionship and property is Ab Bakr[*], and if I were to take a friend I would take Abu Bakr as a friend, but we have the brotherhood and love of Islam. No opening into the mosque must be left but that of Abu Bakr." A version has "If I were to take a friend other than my Lord, I would take Abu Bakr as a friend." *After giving Abu Bakr with the nominative, it says Bukhari read Aba Bakr. That would be more usual, as it follows inna, but see p.18. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

`Abdallah b. Mas'ud reported the Prophet as saying, "If I were taking a friend, I would take Abu Bakr as a friend, but he is my brother and my companion, and God has taken your companion[*] as a friend." *i.e., the Prophet himself. Muslim transmitted it.

`A'isha told that during his illness God's messenger said to her, "Call me Abu Bakr, your father, and your brother, so that I may write a document, for I fear that someone may be desirous of succeeding me and that one may [make unjustifiable claims for himself[*]] whereas God and the believers will have no one but Abu Bakr." 3. Literally, "may say, `I'". Pt. 17 Muslim transmitted it.

Al-Humaidi's book has "I have most right" instead of "make unjustifiable claims for himself." Jubair b. Mut'im told that a woman came and spoke to the Prophet about a matter, and when he ordered her to come back some other time she said, "Messenger of God, tell me what to do if I come and do not find you"; and it seemed as if she meant that he might be dead. He replied, "If you do not find me go to Abu Bakr." (Bukhari and Muslim.)

`Amr b. al-'As told that when God's messenger sent him as head of the army to Dhat as-Salasil[*] he went to him and asked him which of the people he liked best. On his replying that it was `A'isha, he said he was referring to men, and he replied that it was her father. He asked who came next, and when he replied that it was `Umar and went on to enumerate some men, he asked him no more from fear that he might put him among the last of them. *In 8 AH. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Muhammad b. al-Hanafiya[*] told that when he asked his father which of the people after the Prophet was best, he replied that it was Abu Bakr. He asked who came next and he replied that it was `Umar. As he was afraid that he might mention `Uthman next he suggested that his father himself came next, but he replied, "I am only a man among the Muslims." *He was a son of Ali bin Abu Talib. Bukhari transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God's messenger as saying, "No one has helped me without my making it up to him except Abu Bakr, for he has given me help which God will make up to him on the day of resurrection. No one's property has benefited me to the extent of Abu Bakr's, and if I were taking a friend I would take Abu Bakr as a friend, but your companion is God's friend." Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Abu Bakr is our chief, the best among us, and the one of us who is dearest to God's messenger. Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Ibn `Umar told that God's messenger said to Abu Bakr, "You were my companion in the cave, and you will be my companion at the Pond. Tirmidhi transmitted it.

`A'isha reported God's messenger as saying, "It is not fitting for a people among whom Abu Bakr is to be led by anyone else." Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is a gharib tradition.

God's messenger ordered us to give sadaqa, and as that happened when I had some property I said, "If I am going to get ahead of Abu Bakr any day I shall do so to-day." I brought half my property, and when God's messenger asked what I had kept for my family I told him I had kept a similar amount. Abu Bakr, then brought all he had, and when he asked him what he had kept for his family he replied that he had kept God and His messenger for them. I then said, "I shall never get ahead of him in anything." Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it.

`A'isha told that Abu Bakr came in to visit God's messenger who said, "You are God's freedman (atiq) from hell," so on that day he was named `Atiq. Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Ibn `Umar reported God's messenger as saying, "I am the first from whom the earth will burst open, then Abu Bakr and then `Umar. I shall then come to those who are buried in al-Baqi' and they will be gathered along with me; and after that I shall wait for the people of Mecca so as to be gathered among the inhabitants of the two sacred cities." Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God's messenger as saying, "Gabriel came, and taking me by the hand showed me the gate of paradise by which my people will enter." Abu Bakr then said, "Messenger of God, I wish I had been with you so that I might have looked at it to which God's messenger replied, "You, Abu Bakr, will be the first of my people to enter paradise." Abu Dawud transmitted it.

When Abu Bakr was mentioned in `Umar's presence he wept and said, "I wish all my good deeds could compare with what he did on a certain day and a certain night. The night was the one on which he went with God's messenger to the cave and said when they reached it, `I swear by God that you will not enter it before I have first done so, for if there is anything in it I shall be smitten by it and not you.' He then entered and swept it and found some holes in the side of it, so he tore up his lower-garment and stopped them with it; but as two were still left he thrust his feet into them[*] and told God's messenger to enter. When he had done so the Prophet laid his head on his lap and went to sleep. Abu Bakr's foot in one of the holes received a sting, but he did not move for fear God's messenger might awake. His tears, however, fell on God's messenger's face, and he asked him what was the matter with him. He replied, `O you for whom I would give my father and mother as ransom, I have been stung.' God's messenger then spat and the pain left him, but the effect of the poison later returned and was the cause of his death. The day was when God's messenger died and the Arabs apostatised and refused to pay zakat. He said, `If they were to refuse me a tether, I would strive with them over it.' I said, `Successor of God's messenger, be affable and gentle to the people,' but he replied, `Have you who were a powerful man in the pre-Islamic period become weak in the Islamic period? The revelation has ceased and the religion has been perfected. Is it to diminish while I am alive?'" *Literally gave his feet as mouthfuls. Razin transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God's messenger as saying, "Among the nations before your time there have been inspired people, and if there is one among my people he is `Umar." (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Sa'd b. Abu Waqqas told that `Umar b. al-Khattab asked permission from God's messenger to enter when there were with him some women of Quraish who were talking volubly to him with loud voices. They got up when `Umar asked permission and hastened to veil themselves, and when `Umar entered God's messenger was laughing, so he said, "God keep you smiling, messenger of God!" The Prophet replied, "I was astonished at these women who are with me, for when they heard your voice, they hastened to veil themselves." `Umar then said, "Enemies of yourselves, do you stand in awe of me and do not stand in awe of God's messenger?" They replied, ``Yes, you are more churlish and harsher." God's messenger then said, "Never mind, son of al-Khattab; I swear by Him in whose hand my soul is that the devil has never met you walking on a mountain-road without going to another one than yours." Al-Humaidi said that after "messenger of God" al-Barqani added ``What makes you laugh[*]?" *i.e., after `Umar's remark, "God keep you smiling, messenger of God." (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Jabir reported God's messenger as saying, "I entered paradise and met ar-Rumaisa', the wife of Abu Talha. Hearing a movement, I asked who it was and was told that it was Bilal. I saw a palace with a girl in the courtyard and when I asked whose palace it was, I was told that it belonged to `Umar b. al-Khattab. I wanted to enter and look at it, but I remembered your jealous nature." `Umar replied, "Messenger of God for whom I would give my father and mother as ransom, could I be jealous of you?" (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Sa'id reported God's messenger as saying, "While I was asleep, I saw people being presented before me wearing shirts some of which reached the nipples while others did not reach so far. Then `Umar b. al-Khattab was presented to me wearing a shirt which he was trailing." He was asked how he interpreted that and replied that it meant religion. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Ibn 'Umar told that he heard God's messenger say, "While I was asleep I was brought a jug of milk and drank till I could see what was drunk coming out at my nails. Then I gave what I had left to `Umar b. al-Khattab." He was asked how he interpreted it and replied that it meant knowledge. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Ibn `Umar reported God's messenger as saying, "God has placed truth upon `Umar's tongue and heart." Tirmidhi transmitted it.

In Abu Dawud's version on the authority of Abu Dharr he said, "God has placed truth on `Umar's tongue and he speaks it." Ali said. We did not think it impossible that the Sakina[*] should speak with `Umar's tongue. Baihaqi transmitted it in Dala'il an nubuwa.

Ibn `Abbas reported the Prophet as saying, "0 God, strengthen Islam with Abu Jahl b. Hisham, or `Umar b. al-Khattab." In the morning `Umar went to the Prophet and accepted Islam; then prayed openly in the mosque. Ahmad and Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Jabir told that when `Umar addressed Abu Bakr as the best of men after God's messenger, Abu Bakr replied that seeing he had said that, he could tell him he had heard God's messenger say, "The sun has not risen on a better man than `Umar.'' Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is a gharib tradition.

`Uqba b. `Amir reported the Prophet as saying, "If there were to be a prophet after me, he would be `Umar b. al-Khattab." Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is a gharib tradition.

Buraida told that God's messenger went out on one of his expeditions, and when he came back a black slave-girl came and said, "Messenger of God, I have vowed that if God brings you back safe, I shall play the tambourine in front of you and sing.'' He replied, "If you have made a vow, play; otherwise, do not.'' She began to play and-Abu Bakr entered while she was playing; then `Ali entered while she was playing; then `Uthman entered while she was playing; then `Umar entered and she threw the tambourine under her and sat on it. God's messenger then said, "The devil is afraid of you, `Umar. I was sitting while she was playing, then Abu Bakr entered while she was playing, then `Ali entered while she was playing, then `Uthman entered while she was playing, but when you entered, `Umar, she threw down the tambourine." Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is a hasan sahih gharib tradition.

When God's messenger was seated, we heard confused sounds and boys' voices, so he got up and saw an Abyssinian woman dancing with the boys around her. He said, "Come and look, `A'isha," so I went and placed my chin on God's messenger's shoulder and began to look at her over his shoulder. He then said to me, "Have you not had enough? Have you not had enough?" and I began to say, "No," in order that I might look where I was with him. But `Umar came along, and when the people ran away from her[*] God's messenger said, "I am looking at the devils of jinn and men who have fled from `Umar." I then went back. *i.e., the Abyssinian woman. Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is a hasan sahih gharib tradition.

I agreed with my Lord[1] regarding three matters. I said, "Messenger of God, would that we could take Abraham's station as a place of prayer!" and the revelation came down, "And take Abraham's station as a place of prayer[2]." I said, "Messenger of God, both pious and profligate come in where your women are. If only you would order them to seclude themselves!" Then the verse about secluding came down[3]. The Prophet's wives united in jealousy and I said, "Perhaps if he divorces you his Lord will give him better wives than you in place of you." Then a revelation to that effect came down[4]. In a version by Ibn `Umar he told that 'Umar said: I agreed with my Lord regarding three matters, Abraham's station, the seclusion, and the prisoners at Badr. i.e., he expressed opinions which were found to agree with Quran verses revealed later. Cf. Quran. 2: 125. Cf. Quran, 33:53. Cf. Quran, 66:5. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

(1) By the mention of the prisoners at the battle of Badr. He ordered that they be killed and God most high sent down, "Were it not that a decree had come previously from God a severe punishment would have come to you for what you took[1]." (2) By his mention of the seclusion. He commanded the Prophet's wives to seclude themselves and Zainab said to him, "Have you been set over us, son of al-Khattab, when the revelation comes down in our houses?" Then God most high sent down, "And when you ask them for anything ask them from behind a screen[2]." (3) By the Prophet's supplication, "0 God, strengthen Islam by `Umar." (4) By his opinion about Abu Bakr to whom he was the first to swear allegiance. Quran, 8:68. Quran, 33:53. Ahmad transmitted it.

I swear by God that till the end of his life we thought that that man was no one other than `Umar b. al-Khattab. Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Ibn `Umar asked me something about him, i.e., 'Umar, and when I informed him, he said, "I never saw anyone after the time when God's messenger was taken who was more earnest or excellent up to the end of his life than `Umar." Bukhari transmitted it.

When `Umar was stabbed he began to suffer, and Ibn `Abbas who seemed to be trying to console him said, "Do not worry about all that. You were a good companion to God's messenger and when he left you, he was pleased with you; you were a good companion to Abu Bakr and when he left you, he was pleased with you; you have been a good companion to the Muslims and if you leave them, you will do so when they are pleased with you." He replied, "As for what you have mentioned about my companionship with God's messenger and his good pleasure, that was simply a favour from God which He bestowed on me; as for what you have mentioned about my companionship with Abu Bakr and his good pleasure, that was simply a favour from God which He bestowed on me; but as for my anxiety which you see, it is on account of you and your companions. I swear by God that if I had as much gold as would fill the earth, I would ransom myself with it from God's punishment before seeing Him." Bukhari transmitted.

Abu Huraira said God's messenger told that while a man was driving a cow, he grew weary and mounted on its back, whereupon it said, "We were not created for this, but only for tilling the ground." The people said, "Glory be to God! Can a cow speak?" and God's messenger replied, "I believe it, as also do Abu Bakr and `Umar, but they were not present at the time. He then told that while a man was shepherding some sheep of his, a wolf attacked one of them and seized it. Its owner caught up on it and rescued it and the wolf said to him, "Who will look after it when the beast of prey's day comes and it has no shepherd but me?" The people said, "Glory be to God! Can a wolf speak?" and he replied, "I believe it, as also do Abu Bakr and `Umar," but they were not present at the time. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

I was standing among some people who made supplication to God for `Umar when he had been placed on his couch[*], and a man behind me who had put his elbow on my shoulder was saying, "God have mercy on you! I hope God may place you along with your two companions, because I often heard God's messenger say, `I, Abu Bakr and `Umar were...', `I, Abu Bakr and `Umar did... `I, Abu Bakr and 'Umar went off...' `I, Abu Bakr and `Umar entered...', `I, Abu Bakr and `Umar went out...'" Ibn `Abbas said that when he turned round, he saw it was `Ali b. Abu b. Talib. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported the Prophet as saying, "The inhabitants of paradise and those of `Illiyin will see one another as you see a sparkling star in the extremities of the sky, and Abu Bakr and `Umar will be among the latter, having been shown special favour." It is transmitted in Sharh as-sunna, and Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted something to the same effect.

Anas reported God's messenger as saying, "Abu Bakr and `Umar will be the chiefs of the middle-aged inhabitants of paradise, of those who belonged to earliest and latest times, except the prophets and messengers." Tirmidhi transmitted it, and Ibn Majah transmitted it on `Ali's authority.

Hudhaifa reported God's messenger as saying, "I do not know how long I shall remain among you, so copy those two who will remain after I am gone, Abu Bakr and `Umar." Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Anas told that when God's messenger entered the mosque no one but Abu Bakr and `Umar raised his head. They would smile to him and he would smile to them. Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is a gharib tradition.

Ibn `Umar told that the Prophet went out one day and entered the mosque with Abu Bakr and `Umar, one on his right and the other on his left, holding their hands. He said, "We shall be raised thus on the day of resurrection." Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is a hasan gharib tradition.

`Abdallah b. Hantab told that the Prophet saw Abu Bakr and `Umar and said, "These are hearing and sight[*]." Tirmidhi transmitted it in mursal form.

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported God's messenger as saying. "There is no prophet who does not have two wazirs from the inhabitants of heaven and two from the inhabitants of the earth. My two wazirs from the inhabitants of heaven are Gabriel and Michael, and my two wazirs from the inhabitants of the earth are Abu Bakr and `Umar." Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is a hasan gharib tradition.

Abu Bakra told that a man said to God's messenger, "I saw as though a scale descended from the sky. You and Abu Bakr were weighed and you were heavier Abu Bakr and `Umar were weighed and Abu Bakr was heavier; `Umar and `Uthman were weighed and `Umar was heavier; then the scale was taken up." God's messenger was grieved about that, meaning that what the man told him grieved him. He then said, "There will be a caliphate on the model of prophecy, then God will give the kingdom to whom He wills." Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Ibn Mas'ud reported the Prophet as saying, "One who will be one of the inhabitants of paradise will come to you;" then Abu Bakr came along. He then said, "One who will be one of the inhabitants of paradise will come to you;" then `Umar came along. Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is a gharib tradition.