295 – (good)

ʿAmr ibn al-ʿĀṣ reported:

“The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, would turn his face and his conversation toward the most objectionable people, seeking to win their hearts. In doing so he would give me his full attention until I began to think I was the best of the people. So I asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, am I better—or Abū Bakr?’ He answered, ‘Abū Bakr.’ I then asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, am I better—or ʿUmar?’ He replied, ‘ʿUmar.’ I asked again, ‘O Messenger of Allah, am I better—or ʿUthmān?’ He said, ‘ʿUthmān.’ When the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, answered me truthfully, I wished I had never asked him at all.”