Ibn Abi Al-Ma'la narrates from his father that one day the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, delivered a sermon and said: "A servant has been given the choice by his Lord to either remain in this world as long as he wishes and eat from it whatever he wishes, or to meet his Lord. He has chosen to meet his Lord." Upon hearing this, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, began to weep. The noble Companions said, "Look at this elder; the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, has only mentioned a righteous servant whom Allah Almighty gave the choice between the world and meeting his Lord, and he chose to meet his Lord." Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, understood the words of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, very well. He said, "We all, along with our wealth and children—or (he said, the narrator is in doubt) our fathers—are sacrificed for you, O Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him." The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "No one has done more favor to me with his companionship and wealth than Abu Bakr ibn Abi Quhafa. If I were to take anyone as a close friend (khalil), I would have taken the son of Abu Quhafa as my close friend, but the relationship of affection, brotherhood, and faith is the strongest, and indeed, I am the close friend (khalil) of Allah Almighty."