Yusuf ibn Musa and Ahmad ibn al-Husayn ibn Hassan informed me that Abu 'Abd Allah was asked: 'Can anyone be compared to the Companions of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him?' He said: 'Allah forbid.' It was said: 'Is Mu'awiyah more virtuous than 'Umar ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz?' He said: 'Yes, by my life.' The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: 'The best of people are those of my generation.'
