Volume 2, Book 23, Number 449:
Narrated Abu Al-Aswad:
I came to Medina when an epidemic had broken out. While I was sitting with ‘Umar bin Al-Khat –
tab a funeral procession passed by and the people praised the deceased. ‘Umar said, “It has been af –
firmed to him.” And another funeral procession passed by and the people praised the deceased.
‘Umar said, “It has been affirmed to him.” A third (funeral procession) passed by and the people spoke
badly of the deceased. He said, “It has been affirmed to him.” I (Abu Al-Aswad) asked, “O chief of the
believers! What has been affirmed?” He replied, “I said the same as the Prophet had said, that is: if
four persons testify the piety of a Muslim, Allah will grant him Paradise.” We asked, “If three persons
testify his piety?” He (the Prophet) replied, “Even three.” Then we asked, “If two?” He replied, “Even
two.” We did not ask him regarding one witness.