44/1. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 2383a — Abu Bakr as Brother and Companion
The Virtues Of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (RA)
Abu Bakr Khalil Hadith: Brother and Companion
Sahih Muslim : 2383a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 2383a
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ الْعَبْدِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، بْنِ رَجَاءٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ أَبِي الْهُذَيْلِ، يُحَدِّثُ عَنْ أَبِي الأَحْوَصِ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ عَبْدَ، اللَّهِ بْنَ مَسْعُودٍ يُحَدِّثُ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَّهُ قَالَ " لَوْ كُنْتُ مُتَّخِذًا خَلِيلاً لاَتَّخَذْتُ أَبَا بَكْرٍ خَلِيلاً وَلَكِنَّهُ أَخِي وَصَاحِبِي وَقَدِ اتَّخَذَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ صَاحِبَكُمْ خَلِيلاً " .
Abdullah ibn Mas'ud Narrated from:
Abdullah b. Mas'ud reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: If I were to choose a bosom friend I would have definitely chosen Abu Bakr as my bosom friend, but he is my brother and my companion and Allah, the Exalted and Glorious. has taken your brother and companion (meaning Prophet himself) as a friend.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 2383aIn-book reference : Book 44, Hadith 4USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 31, Hadith 5871
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 2383a
This Abu Bakr khalil hadith shows the high place of Abu Bakr with Allah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم while keeping the Prophet's special bond with Allah clear. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said that if he were to choose a bosom friend, he would have chosen Abu Bakr. Then he described him as his brother and companion. The narration also says that Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, had taken the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم as a friend. The text balances two points: Abu Bakr's closeness to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and the Prophet's unique closeness to Allah. It is not a general statement about all companions equally; it is specifically about Abu Bakr's honored companionship.
What we learn from this hadith
- Abu Bakr is described as the Prophet's brother and companion.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said he would have chosen Abu Bakr as khalil if he were to choose one.
- The narration affirms that Allah took the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم as a friend.
- The hadith highlights Abu Bakr's special closeness without going beyond the wording.
