عن عمرو بن العاص قال: كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقبل بوجهه وحديثه على أشر القوم يتألفهم بذلك فكان يقبل بوجهه وحديثه علي حتى ظننت أني خير القوم فقلت: يا رسول الله أنا خير أو أبو بكر فقال: أبو بكر فقلت: يا رسول الله أنا خير أم عمر فقال: عمر فقلت: يا رسول الله أنا خير أم عثمان فقال: عثمان فلما سألت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فصدقني فلوددت أني لم أكن سألته (الشمائل المحمدية للترمذي رقم: 327)

Hazrat Amr bin Aas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) would show special attention towards even the worst of people through turning his mubaarak countenance towards them and speaking to them in a special way, thereby showing love to them (and drawing them towards himself). Hence, (I noticed that) Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) would show me special attention and speak to me in a special way, until I began to think that I was the best of people (and most beloved to him). I therefore once asked, “O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! Am I greater, or is Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) greater (in position)?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) is greater than you.” I then enquired, “O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! Am I greater, or is Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) greater?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) answered, “Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) is greater than you.” Thereafter, I asked, “O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! Am I greater, or is Hazrat Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) greater?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) responded, “Hazrat Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) is greater than you.” Upon asking Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) these questions, I found that he was honest to me (i.e. in explaining to me that I was lower in position than these great Sahaabah), then I (felt sad for asking such questions and) wished that I had not asked him these questions.”