حَدَّثَنَا أَسْوَدُ بْنُ عَامِرٍ حَدَّثَنِي عَبْدُ الْحَمِيدِ بْنُ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ يَعْنِي الْفَرَّاءَ عَنْ إِسْرَائِيلَ عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ يُثَيْعٍ عَنْ عَلِيٍّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ قِيلَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَنْ يُؤَمَّرُ بَعْدَكَ قَالَ إِنْ تُؤَمِّرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ تَجِدُوهُ أَمِينًا زَاهِدًا فِي الدُّنْيَا رَاغِبًا فِي الْآخِرَةِ وَإِنْ تُؤَمِّرُوا عُمَرَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ تَجِدُوهُ قَوِيًّا أَمِينًا لَا يَخَافُ فِي اللَّهِ لَوْمَةَ لَائِمٍ وَإِنْ تُؤَمِّرُوا عَلِيًّا رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ وَلَا أُرَاكُمْ فَاعِلِينَ تَجِدُوهُ هَادِيًا مَهْدِيًّا يَأْخُذُ بِكُمْ الطَّرِيقَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ
مسند امام احمد بن حنبل · Hadith 859
It was narrated that 'Ali (RA) said: It was said: O Messenger of Allah, who should be appointed in charge after you are gone? He said: "If you appoint Abu Bakr, you will find him trustworthy and uninterested in worldly gains, seeking the Hereafter. If you appoint 'Umar, you will find him strong and trustworthy and not fearing the blame of anyone for the sake of Allah. If you appoint 'Ali - which I do not think you will do- you will find him a guide and guided; he will take you on the straight path."
Translated by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan · Reviewed by Islamic University of Madinah · Published March 2020