It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "If I were to take anyone as a close friend (khalil), I would have taken Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) as my close friend, but he is my brother and my companion, and your Prophet is the close friend (khalil) of Allah, the Exalted."