44/1. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 2383e — Free from Every Khalil
The Virtues Of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (RA)
Abu Bakr Khalil Hadith: Free from Every Bosom Friend
Sahih Muslim : 2383e
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 2383e
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ، وَوَكِيعٌ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ، إِبْرَاهِيمَ أَخْبَرَنَا جَرِيرٌ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ أَبِي عُمَرَ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، كُلُّهُمْ عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ نُمَيْرٍ، وَأَبُو سَعِيدٍ الأَشَجُّ - وَاللَّفْظُ لَهُمَا - قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، حَدَّثَنَا الأَعْمَشُ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مُرَّةَ، عَنْ أَبِي الأَحْوَصِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أَلاَ إِنِّي أَبْرَأُ إِلَى كُلِّ خِلٍّ مِنْ خِلِّهِ وَلَوْ كُنْتُ مُتَّخِذًا خَلِيلاً لاَتَّخَذْتُ أَبَا بَكْرٍ خَلِيلاً إِنَّ صَاحِبَكُمْ خَلِيلُ اللَّهِ " .
`Abdullah Narrated from:
This hadith has been narrated through another chain of transmitters and the one narrated on the authority of Abdullah (the words are): " Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) is reported to have said: Behold I am free from the dependence of all bosom friends and if I were to choose anyone as bosom friend I would have taken Abu Bakr as my bosom friend. Allah has taken your companion as a friend.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 2383eIn-book reference : Book 44, Hadith 8USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 31, Hadith 5875
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 2383e
This narration adds a strong wording to the Abu Bakr khalil hadith. Allah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said that he was free from the dependence of every bosom friend. Then he said that if he were to choose anyone as a bosom friend, he would have taken Abu Bakr as his bosom friend. The statement ends by saying that Allah had taken the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم as a friend. The hadith teaches readers to honor Abu Bakr's special place while recognizing that the Prophet's highest attachment is to Allah. It also shows why the word khalil is not used casually here. The praise of Abu Bakr is direct, but the Prophet's bond with Allah is placed above all.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم declared freedom from dependence on every khalil.
- Abu Bakr is named as the one he would have chosen if he chose a khalil.
- The narration ends by affirming that Allah took the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم as a friend.
- The hadith keeps love for Abu Bakr within the greater truth of devotion to Allah.
