Hadith 6855
Sayyiduna Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates this statement of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): "I am free from the friendship of every friend; if I were to take anyone as a close friend (khalil), I would have taken Abu Bakr as my khalil. However, brotherhood and the love of faith remain. As for your master, he is Allah's khalil." Sufyan says: "The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) meant his own self by this."