597 - Al-Hasan ibn Salih informed me, saying: Muhammad ibn Habib narrated to us, saying: I said to Abu 'Abd Allah: 'What about one who says: Abu Bakr, 'Umar, 'Uthman, and 'Ali?' He replied: 'Go to him [to ask him]. It pleases me to say: Abu Bakr, 'Umar, and 'Uthman, and then remain silent. If a man says: "And 'Ali," I do not rebuke him, but this statement does not please me.' Ibn 'Umar used to say: "Abu Bakr, 'Umar, and 'Uthman," and we leave the Companions of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, without preferring some of them over others.'