Silsilah as-Sahihah 3245 — Virtue and greatness of Abu Bakr (ra)

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Beware! I am absolving myself of the close friendship of every deep friend. If I were to take anyone (among mankind) as a close friend, I would have taken Abu Bakr as one. Your companion (i.e., Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him) is the close friend of Allah, the Exalted." This hadith is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Mas'ud, Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Abbas, Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Zubair, Sayyiduna Abu Ma'la Ansari, Sayyiduna Jundub Bajali, Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah, Aisha, Anas, Jabir, Abu Waqid, and Bara ibn Azib (may Allah be pleased with them).