Al-Lu'lu Wal-Marjan 1541 — The Book of the Virtues of the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri Narrated from:

Allâh's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم sat on the pulpit and said, "Allâh has given one of His slave, the choice of receiving the splendour and luxury of the worldly life (whatever he likes) or to accept the good (of the Hereafter) which is with Him (Allâh). So he has chosen that good which is with Allâh."On that Abû Bakr wept and said, "Our fathers and mothers be sacrificed for you. We became astonished at this". The people said, "Look at this old man! Allâh's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم talks about a slave of Allâh to whom He has given the option to choose either the splendour of this worldly life or the good which is with Him, while he says, 'Our fathers and mothers be sacrificed for you.'" But it was Allâh's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم who had been given option, and Abû Bakr رضى الله عنه knew it better than us.Allâh's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم added, "No doubt Abû Bakr رضى الله عنه has favoured me much both with his company and his property more than anybody else. And if I had to take a Khalil [1] from my followers, I would certainly have taken Abû Bakr, but the fraternity of Islâm is sufficient. Let no Khoukha [2] of the mosque remain open, except the Khoukha of Abû Bakr.”( Sahîh Al-Bukhârî, Hadîth No. 244, Vol. 5 )