Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrates: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) intended to send someone on a task, and it was an important task. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) was on the right side of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was on his left side. Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said to him: "Why do you not send these two?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "How can I send these two, when their position in the religion is that of hearing and sight in the head?"
Tabarani recorded it. Its chain contains a narrator, Furat bin al-Sa'ib, who is matruk (abandoned). (Allamah Haythami says:) I say: This hadith has another route in the chapter on the virtues of a group of the Companions.
Hadith Referenceمجمع الزوائد ومنبع الفوائد / كتاب المناقب / 14351