Abu Musa al-Ash'ari said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless
him and grant him peace, went out one day to one of the walled gardens
of Madina, and I went out after him. When he entered the garden, I sat
at the gate and said, I will be the doorkeeper of the Messenger of Allah
today even if he has not commanded me to do it.' The Prophet went and answered
a call of nature and then sat on the edge of the well. He uncovered his
legs and dangled them in the well. Abu Bakr came and asked for permission
to enter.' I said, 'Stay where you are until I ask permission for you.'
He waited and I went to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him
peace, and said, 'Messenger of Allah, it is Abu Bakr asking permission
to come in.' He said, 'Let him in and give him the good news of the Garden.'
He entered and sat at the right side of the Prophet, may Allah bless him
and grant him peace. uncovered his legs and dangled them in the water.
Then 'Umar came. I said, 'Stay where you are until I ask permission for
you.' The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'Let
him in and give him the good news of the Garden.' 'Umar went in and sat
at the left side of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace,
uncovered his legs and dangled his feet in the well. The rim of the well
was then full and there was no place left to sit. Then 'Uthman came. I
said, 'Stay where you are until I ask permission for you.' The Prophet,
may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'Let him in and give him
the good news of the Garden as well as an affliction which will befall
him.' 'Uthman came in and could not find a place with them. He moved around
until he was facing them on the other side of the well, uncovered his legs
and dangled them in the well. I began to wish that a brother of mine would
come and I asked Allah to make him come, but he did not come before they
had got up."