Musnad Ahmad — Hadith #45505

Abdullah narrated to us, Abu Salih Al-Hakam bin Musa narrated to us, Shihab bin Kharash narrated to us, Al-Hajjaj bin Dinar narrated to us, on the authority of Husayn bin Abd Al-Rahman, on the authority of Abu Juhayfah, said: I was of the opinion that Ali, may God be pleased with him, was the best of people after the Messenger of God, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him. He said hello, and he mentioned the hadith. I said, “No, by God, O Commander of the Faithful. I did not see that any of the Muslims after the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace.” He said, “Shall I not tell you about the best of people after the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace?” He said, “I said: Yes, so Abu Bakr, may God be pleased with him, said. He said, Shall I not inform you of the best of people who existed after the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, and Abu Bakr? I said Yes, Omar, may God be pleased with him, said.