427 - Abd Allāh narrated to us, saying: Abū Abd al-Rahmān Abd Allāh ibn Umar narrated to me, saying: Mus-hir ibn Abd al-Malik ibn Sal‘ al-Hamdānī narrated to us, from Abd Khayr, who said: I heard Alī say:

“Allah took His Prophet in the best state in which He had ever taken any prophet.” The narrator said: He then praised him.

“Then Abū Bakr was appointed caliph, and he followed the deeds and sunnah of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Then he was taken in the best state in which Allah had taken anyone. He was thus the best of the community after its Prophet. Then Umar was appointed caliph, and he followed the deeds and sunnah of them both. Then he was taken in the best state in which anyone had been taken. He was thus the best of this community after its Prophet and after Abū Bakr.”