The benefits of the hadith of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), Abu Bakr, 'Umar, and 'Uthman sitting by the well.

The Shaykh : This hadith contains many benefits, among which are: the state of the people during the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), where houses generally did not have a place for relieving oneself, so they would go out to the courtyards to relieve themselves there. It also indicates that the lower leg is not part of the 'awrah (nakedness). In some wordings of this hadith: with hesitation. When a wording is found with hesitation and another with certainty, the wording with certainty is adopted, because hesitation indicates the narrator's doubt, whereas certainty is clear. It also includes following the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) even in matters that are not acts of worship, for we do not know that uncovering the lower leg is an act of worship, and yet Abu Bakr followed him and 'Umar followed him. It may be said that it is an act of worship from one angle, in that it is not proper etiquette for a man to be in the presence of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) with his lower leg uncovered while the Prophet has covered his. Thus, their action is a matter of etiquette rather than imitation and following. This is likely the closest explanation, as it does not appear that following the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in matters of custom is among the beloved things. However, a person may be driven by the strength of his love for the Messenger (may Allah's prayers and blessings be upon him) to do what he does, even if it is not an act of worship. From this is following the gourd in eating. Do you know what a gourd is? It is a type of melon. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would follow the gourd and eat it, and Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) followed him. If a person has intense love for the Messenger (may Allah's prayers and blessings be upon him), he may follow him even in actions that are not acts of worship, because love necessitates inclination toward the beloved and following him, even if it is not in the way of worship. Therefore, you find some people who love someone intensely following him even in ordinary actions. I saw some people during the time of our Shaykh (may Allah have mercy on him), 'Abd al-Rahman ibn Sa'di, following him even in wearing the mashlah (a type of garment) and in how he carried his cane, because our Shaykh (may Allah have mercy on him) would carry his cane and hold it upright like this, making it long, not leaning on it because he did not need it. So some people, when walking, would be found holding their cane upright. The strength of love causes a person to follow the beloved person, even if it is not in the way of worship. Thus, the uncovering of their lower legs by 'Umar and Abu Bakr is either a matter of etiquette, in which case it is an act of worship, or it is due to the strength of love, so they followed him even in matters that are not acts of worship. Among the benefits of this hadith is that we testify to Abu Bakr, 'Umar, and 'Uthman regarding Paradise, based on his saying: It is obligatory for us to testify to Paradise for those to whom the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) testified, because the testimony of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is a report, and the report of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) must be accepted by us and acted upon according to its implications. Testifying to Paradise is divided into two categories:
Testimony of specific identity and testimony of description. Testimony of specific identity is to testify that so-and-so is in Paradise. Testimony of description is to testify that every believing, God-fearing person is in Paradise, but one does not testify to a specific person regarding Paradise except for those to whom the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) testified. I do not know if any of you can enumerate for us those to whom the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) specifically testified regarding Paradise. Also, among the benefits of this hadith is the permissibility of appointing a gatekeeper, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) approved Abu Musa, even if he did not order him to do so, but he approved him. It also indicates that if someone asks for permission to enter, even if he is the closest person to the owner of the house, he is not granted permission until the owner of the house gives permission. For this reason, he prevented Abu Bakr, although he knew that Abu Bakr was the closest of the companions of the Messenger (may Allah's prayers and blessings be upon him) to him. It also highlights the virtue of Abu Musa, where he wished his brother would come, but he did not come.