Ibn Hibban

Sayyiduna Abu Sa'id Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) delivered a sermon and said: Indeed, Allah Almighty has given His servant the choice that Allah may grant him the adornment and beauty of this world or grant him presence in His court, so that person chose presence in the court of his Lord. Upon this, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) began to weep and said: We offer our fathers and our children as ransom for you. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: Abu Bakr, remain silent. Then the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: Among the people, in terms of companionship and wealth, Abu Bakr has treated me the best. If I were to take anyone from among the people as a close friend (khalil), I would have taken Abu Bakr, but the brotherhood and love of Islam is there. Beware! Every door in the mosque should be closed except the door of Abu Bakr; only his door should remain open.

Sayyiduna Abu Sa'id Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: I thought, I am amazed at this matter that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is informing us that a servant has been given the choice between this world and the Hereafter, and this companion (i.e., Sayyiduna Abu Bakr) is weeping.

Sayyiduna Abu Sa'id Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) says: The person who was given the choice was the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and the one who was weeping was Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), because regarding the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) had the most knowledge among us.