Riyad as-Salihin 708

One day, I performed my Wudu in my house and then set forth with the determination that I would stick to Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and spend the whole day with him.

I came to the mosque and asked about him. The Companions told that he (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) had gone in a certain direction. Abu Musa added: I followed him inquiring until I came to Bir Aris (a well in the suburb of Al-Madinah). (There) I sat down at the door till he (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) had relieved himself and performed Wudu.

Then I went to him and saw him sitting on the platform of the well with his shanks uncovered and his legs dangling in the well. I greeted him and returned to the door of the garden, saying to myself, “I will be the doorkeeper of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) today.” Abu Bakr (radiyallahu anhu) came and knocked at the door.

I said; “Who is that?” He said: “Abu Bakr.” I said, “Wait a moment.” Then I went to the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and said, “O Messenger of Allah! Abu Bakr is at the door seeking permission to enter.”

He said, “Admit him and give him the glad tidings of Jannah.” I returned and said to Abu Bakr (radiyallahu anhu): “You may enter and Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) has given you the glad tidings of (entering) Jannah.” Abu Bakr (radiyallahu anhu) came in and sat down on the right side of Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and suspended his legs into the well and uncovered his shanks, as the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) had done.

I returned to the door and sat down. I had left my brother at home while he was performing Wudu and intending to join me. I said to myself: “If Allah intends good for him (i.e., to be blessed to come at this time and receive the glad tidings of entering Jannah), He will bring him here.”

Someone knocked at the door and I said, “Who is it?” He said, “Umar ibn al-Khattab.” I said, “Wait a moment.” Then I proceeded towards Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam).

I greeted him and said, “Umar is at the door, seeking permission to enter. He said, ‘Let him in and give him the glad tidings of entering Jannah.’ I went back to Umar (radiyallahu anhu) and said to him, ‘Messenger of Allah has given you permission as well as glad tidings of entering Jannah.’ He entered and sat down with Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) on his left side and dangled his feet into the well.

I returned to the door and sat down and said to myself: ‘If Allah intends good for my brother, He will bring him here.’ Someone knocked at the door and I said, ‘Who is it?’

He said, ‘Uthman ibn Affan.’ I said, ‘Wait a moment.’ I went to Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and informed him about his arrival. He said, ‘Let him in and give him glad tidings of entering Jannah together with a tribulation which he will have to face.’

I came back to him and said, ‘You may enter; and Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) gives you the glad tidings of entering Jannah together with a tribulation that will afflict you.’ He got in and saw that the elevated platform round the well was fully occupied. So he sat on opposite side. Said ibn Al- Musaiyab (radiyallahu anhu) a subnarrator has reported: The order in which they sat down indicated the places of their burial.

Another narration adds: Abu Musa al-Ashari (radiyallahu anhu) said: The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) ordered me to guard the door. When Uthman was told (about the misfortune) he praised Allah then said: ‘Allahu Mustaan (His help is to be sought).’(The interpretation of Said ibn al-Musaiyab is that the graves of Abu Bakr and Umar (radiyallahu anhum) are by the side of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), in the same position they took when they sat next to the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) while the grave of Uthman is away from their graves, in the public graveyard of Al-Madinah known as Baqi Al-Gharqad).”