Sayyiduna Abu Sa'id Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) sat on the pulpit and said: "A servant was given the choice by Allah Almighty that He may grant him as much of the adornment and beauty of the world as he wishes, or He may grant him (the rank, status, and reward) in His presence, so that servant chose what is with Allah Almighty (the reward and status in His presence)." (The narrator says:) Upon this, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) began to weep and said: "May our fathers and mothers be sacrificed for you, O Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)." (The narrator says:) In reality, the person who was given the choice was the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) himself, and Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) knew this better than all of us. Then the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "In terms of wealth and companionship, Abu Bakr has treated me the best. If I were to take anyone as a close friend (khalil), I would have taken Abu Bakr as my khalil, but the brotherhood of Islam (remains). Every door in the mosque should be closed except the special door for Abu Bakr's entry, which should remain open."