1 Omar; and the truest in shame is ' Othman; and the one most skilled in the law of inheritance is Zaid bin Thabit; and the best reader amongst them is Ubai bin Ka'b; and the most learned of them in matters lawful and unlawful is Mu'adh bin Jabal. For every religious sect there is a faithful guardian >' and the faithful guardian of this sect is Abu 'Ubaidah binu'l- Jarrah." ' Ahmad, At Tirmidhi.
It is related from 'All that, ' It was said, " O Apostle of God, whom shall we appoint as prince after thee?" He replied, " If ye make Abu Bakr your prince, ye will find him faithful, indifferent to this world, and eager for the next. And if ye make 'Omar prince, ye will find him strong and faithful, not fearing the blame of detractors in the matters of God. And if ye make 'Ali prince though I cannot imagine your doing so ye will find him a guide who is rightly directed, and one who will lead you into the straight path." ' Ahmad.
ON THE VIRTUES OF THE PEOPLE OF THE PROPHET'S FAMILY
It is related from Abu Hurairah that he said, ' I went out with the Apostle of God in a certain part of the day, until we came to Fatimah's house. And he said, " Is the boy there? Is the boy there?" meaning Hasan. And he did not delay, but came running until each of them embraced his companion. And the Apostle of God said, " O God, verily I love him; then do Thou love him and those who love him." ' Muslim, Al Bukhdri.
It is related from Buraidah that he said, ' The Apostle of God was giving the public address(in the mosque) when Hasan and Husain came, wearing red shirts. And they were walking and stumbling along. Then the Apostle of God descended from the pulpit and picked them up and placed them in front of him. Then he said, " God spoke truly, 'Your goods and your children are only a temptation.' 1 I looked at these two children walking and stumbling along, and I could no longer contain myself, so much so that I cut short my words and took them up." ' At Tirmidhi, Abu Ddud.
It is related from Anas that, ' The head of Husain was brought to 'Ubaidu'llah bin Ziyad, and it was placed in a basin.
1 Qur'an,Suratu'l-Anfal (viii) 28.
