Narrated by Abu Musa Al-’Ashari (RA) :

I performed ablution in my house and then went out and said :

Today I shall stick to Allaah’s Messenger and stay with him all this day of mine (in his service).

I went to the Mosque and asked about Allaah’s Messenger (SAW). They said :

He had gone in this direction.

So I followed his way, asking about him till he entered a place called Bir Aris. I sat at its gate that was made of date-palm leaves till Allaah’s Messenger (SAW) finished answering the call of nature and performed ablution. Then I went up to him to see him sitting at the well of Aris at the middle of its edge with his legs uncovered, hanging in the well.

I greeted him and went back and sat at the gate. I said :

Today I will be the gatekeeper of Allaah’s Messenger.

Abu Bakr (RA) came and pushed the gate. I asked :

Who is it ?

He said :

Abu Bakr.

I told him to wait, went in and said :

O Allaah’s Messenger ! Abu Bakr asks for permission to enter.

He said :

Admit him and give him the glad tidings that he will be in Paradise.

So I went out and said to Abu Bakr (RA) :

Come in, and Allah’s Messenger gives you the glad tidings that you will be in Paradise.

Abu Bakr entered and sat on the right side of Allaah’s Messenger (SAW) on the built edge of the well and hung his legs n the well as Allaah’s Messenger (SAW) did and uncovered his legs.

I then returned and sat (at the gate). I had left my brother performing ablution and he intended to follow me. So I said (to myself) :

If Allaah wants good for so-and-so (i.e. my brother), He will bring him here.

Suddenly somebody moved the door. I asked :

Who is it ?

He said :

‘Umar ibn Al-Khattab.

I told him to wait, went in and said :

O Allaah’s Messenger ! ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattab asks for permission to enter.

He said :

Admit him and give him the glad tidings that he will be in Paradise.

So I went out and said to ‘Umar (RA) :

Come in, and Allah’s Messenger gives you the glad tidings that you will be in Paradise.

So he entered and sat beside Allaah’s Messenger (SAW) on the built edge of the well on the left side and hung his legs in the well.

I returned and sat (at the gate) and said (to myself) :

If Allaah wants good for so-and-so, He will bring him here.

Suddenly somebody moved the door. I asked :

Who is it ?

He said :

‘Uthman ibn ‘Affan.

I told him to wait, went in and informed him.

He said :

Admit him, give him the glad tidings of entering Paradise after a calamity that will befall him.

So I went up to him and said :

Come in, Allaah’s Messenger give you the glad tidings of entering Paradise after a calamity that will befall you.

He praised Allah and said :

I seek Allah’s Aid.

‘Uthman then came in and found that the built edge of the well was occupied, so he sat opposite to Allaah’s Messenger (SAW) on the other side.

Sa’id ibn Al-Musaiyab said :

I interpret this (narration) in terms of their graves.

[ Sahih Al-Bukhari, The Book of the Companions of the Prophet, No. 3422 & No. 3441 ]