It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Zubair that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) once said regarding that person: If I were to take a close friend (khalil) from this Ummah other than my Lord, I would have taken Ibn Abi Quhafa as my close friend. They have considered the grandfather as the father.
Hadith Referenceمسند احمد / مسند المدنيين رضي الله عنهم اجمعين / 16120
Hadith Gradingحکم دارالسلام:حديث صحيح، وهذا إسناد ضعيف، ابن جريج مدلس، وقد عنعن