Sahih al-Bukhari 3755
Sahih al-Bukhari · Book 62: Companions of the Prophet · The merits of Bilal bin Rabah, the freed slave of Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه
Narrated Qais:
حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ نُمَيْرٍ ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عُبَيْدٍ ، حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ ، عَنْ قَيْسٍ ، أَنَّ بِلاَلاً ، قَالَ لأَبِي بَكْرٍ إِنْ كُنْتَ إِنَّمَا اشْتَرَيْتَنِي لِنَفْسِكَ فَأَمْسِكْنِي، وَإِنْ كُنْتَ إِنَّمَا اشْتَرَيْتَنِي لِلَّهِ فَدَعْنِي وَعَمَلَ اللَّهِ.
Bilal said to Abu Bakr, "If you have bought me for yourself then keep me (for yourself), but if you have bought me for Allah's Sake, then leave me for Allah's Work."