Hanbal said: I heard Sulayman ibn Harb, when Khayyat al-Sunnah asked him about the preference (between the Companions), say: "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, passed away while Abu Bakr was the best of people after him. Then Abu Bakr passed away, and 'Umar was the best of people after him. Then 'Umar passed away, and 'Uthman was the best of people after him." He said: Sulayman said: "Abu Bakr, 'Umar, and 'Uthman, and we remain silent (regarding the rest)."
قَالَ حَنْبَلٌ: وَسَمِعْتُ سُلَيْمَانَ بْنَ حَرْبٍ وَسَأَلَهُ خَيَّاطُ السُّنَّةِ عَنِ التَّفْضِيلِ، فَقَالَ: قُبِضَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَكَانَ أَفْضَلَ النَّاسِ بَعْدَهُ أَبُو بَكْرٍ، ثُمَّ قُبِضَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ فَكَانَ أَفْضَلَ النَّاسِ بَعْدَهُ عُمَرُ، ثُمَّ قُبِضَ عُمَرُ فَكَانَ أَفْضَلَ النَّاسِ بَعْدَهُ عُثْمَانُ ". قَالَ: قَالَ سُلَيْمَانُ: أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرُ وَعُثْمَانُ، وَنَسْكُتُ
