'Ismah ibn 'Asim informed me, saying: Hanbal narrated to us, saying: I heard Abu 'Abd Allah when he was asked: 'Who is more virtuous: Mu'awiyah or 'Umar ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz?' He said: 'The one who saw [435] the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.' And the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: 'The best of people are those of my generation.'
