Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 3657 ⓘ
Narrated Aiyub: The Prophet said, "If I were to take a Khalil, I would have taken him (i.e. Abu Bakr) as a Khalil, but the Islamic brotherhood is better."
حَدَّثَنَا مُعَلَّى، وَمُوسَى، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا وُهَيْبٌ، عَنْ أَيُّوبَ، وَقَالَ، " لَوْ كُنْتُ مُتَّخِذًا خَلِيلاً لاَتَّخَذْتُهُ خَلِيلاً، وَلَكِنْ أُخُوَّةُ الإِسْلاَمِ أَفْضَلُ " . حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَهَّابِ، عَنْ أَيُّوبَ، مِثْلَهُ.
also referenced under: Book 62, Hadith 9 (In-Book) & Volume 5, Book 57, Hadith 9 (USC-MSA)