and the rest of the Muslims on his appointment, in accordance with ‘Umar’s instructions; then the caliphate of ‘Alī ibn Abī Tālib, may Allah be pleased with him, through the pledge of allegiance given by those veterans of Badr who pledged to him—‘Ammār ibn Yāsir and Sahl ibn Hunayf—and the other Companions who followed them, together with his precedence in Islam and his merit.

[The Superiority of the Companions]
They affirm the superiority of the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, because Allah says:

“Certainly Allah was pleased with the believers when they pledged allegiance to you under the tree.” [Al-Fath: 18]

And He says:

“And the first forerunners among the Emigrants and the Helpers and those who followed them in righteousness—Allah is pleased with them.” [Al-Tawbah: 100]

Those with whom Allah affirmed His pleasure did nothing thereafter that would incur the displeasure of Allah, the Almighty and Majestic. He granted this to those who followed them only on the condition of righteousness. Thus, anyone who comes after them and disparages them has not followed them in righteousness and has no share in this.