He says:

38:46, 47 “We distinguished them with a special quality: remembrance of the Hereafter. And indeed, in Our sight they are among the chosen, the best.”

Sufficient testimony to their honor and excellence is that Allah singled them out for His revelation, made them trustees of His message and intermediaries between Himself and His servants, and bestowed upon them various forms of honor. Among them are those whom He took as close friends, those to whom He spoke directly, and those whom He raised to a lofty station, ranks above the rest. He has given His servants no path to reach Him except through them, nor any entrance into His Paradise except by following them.