It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Abu Hurayrah is a vessel of knowledge."

Khalid bin Sa'id bin Amr bin Sa'id bin al-As narrates from his father, and he from Sayyidah Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her), that she sent for Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) and said to him: "O Abu Hurayrah! What are these hadiths that we learn you narrate from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)? Have you heard anything other than what we heard, and have you seen anything other than what we saw?" He said: "O mother! The mirror, the kohl container and adorning yourself for the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) also kept you occupied (away from spending more time) with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) (because of which you may not have come to know of many of his sayings and actions), whereas, by Allah, nothing kept me occupied away from his (peace and blessings be upon him) company." This hadith is sahih al-isnad (authentic in its chain), but the two Shaykhs (Bukhari and Muslim) did not record it.