Loved by the Holy Prophet (sa)
Abu Uthman narrates that the Holy Prophet (sa) appointed Hazrat Amr (ra) bin al-Aas as the commander of the army for the battle of Zat al-Salasil. This is a place approximately a days-journey away from Medina. This is according to the mode of travel at that time. It is the name of a well in the region of the tribe of Judham, further out from the valley of al-Qura. Hazrat Amr (ra) states, “When I returned to the Holy Prophet (sa), I asked him who is most beloved to him. The Holy Prophet (sa) replied, ‘Aisha.’ I then asked who is the most beloved to him amongst the men. The Holy Prophet (sa) replied, ‘The father of Aisha.’ I then asked who was after him. The Holy Prophet (sa) replied, ‘Umar.’ He then proceeded to name other men.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Maghazi, Bab Ghazwat al-Salasil, Hadith 4358) (Sayyid Fadl al-Rahman, Farhang-e-Sirat [Karachi, Pakistan: Zawwar Academy Publications, 2003], 152)
Hazrat Anas (ra) relates that the Holy Prophet (sa) would come out and sit with his companions from among the Muhajirin and the Ansar. Among them were Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) and Hazrat Umar (ra), but none of them would raise their glance to look at the Holy Prophet (sa) except Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra)and Hazrat Umar (ra). Both of them would look at the Holy Prophet (sa) and smile, and in turn, he would look at the two of them and smile.
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Kitab al-Manaqib, Bab fi ma li Abi Bakr (ra)wa Umar (ra) inda al-Nabi (sa), Hadith 3668)
Hazrat Ibn Umar (ra) relates that the Holy Prophet (sa) once came out and entered the mosque with Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra)and Hazrat Umar (ra). One was to his right side, and the other to his left and he had hold of their hand. He stated, “This is how we shall be raised on the Day of Judgement.”
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Kitab al-Manaqib, Bab Qaulih li Abi Bakr (ra)wa Umar (ra): Hakadha Nub’athu Yaum al-Qiyamah, Hadith 3669)
Abdullah bin Hantab relates that the Holy Prophet (sa) once saw Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) and Hazrat Umar (ra) and said, “They are both eyes and ears.”
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Kitab al-Manaqib, Bab Qaulih fihima hadhani al-Sam wa al-Basar, Hadith 3671)
Hazrat Jabir bin Abdillah relates that Hazrat Umar (ra) said to Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra), “O ye who is the best man after the Messenger (sa) of Allah!” Thereupon, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra)replied, “If this is what you say, I tell you that I heard the Holy Prophet (sa) state, ‘The sun has not set upon anyone greater than Umar.’”
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Kitab al-Manaqib, Bab Qaulih li Abi Bakr (ra)wa Umar (ra): Ya Khair al-Nas Ba‘d Rasulsa Allah, Hadith 3684)
Hazrat Ibn Umar narrates that the Holy Prophet (sa) said, “I am the first person for whom the earth shall be rent asunder, followed by Abu Bakr, then Umar. Then I shall go to the dwellers of Baqi‘ and they shall be raised with me. Then I shall wait for the people of Mecca until I shall be raised between the two holy cities.”
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Kitab al-Manaqib, Bab Ana Awwal man Tuhshaqu anhu al-Ard…, Hadith 3692)
Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Mas‘ud relates that the Holy Prophet (sa) stated, “One of the dwellers of Paradise is coming to you.” Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra)then came. The Holy Prophet (sa) once more said “One of the dwellers of Paradise is coming to you,” after which Hazrat Umar (ra) came.
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Kitab al-Manaqib, Bab Akhbarih ‘an Itla’Rajul min Ahl al-Jannah…, Hadith 3694)