Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) says: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) went ahead, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) came second, and Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) came third. Then a trial (fitnah) threw us into confusion (the narrator is unsure; perhaps the words are:) then a trial befell us; Allah Almighty will pardon whomever He wills.
Ahmad recorded it. He said that Sayyiduna Ali's (may Allah be pleased with him) saying 'then a trial threw us into confusion' was meant as an expression of humility. Tabarani recorded it in al-Mu'jam al-Awsat, and the narrators of Ahmad are thiqat (trustworthy).
Hadith Referenceمجمع الزوائد ومنبع الفوائد / كتاب المناقب / 14365
Hadith Gradingمحدثین:إسنادہ صحیح
Hadith Takhrij«اخرجه الطبراني فى المعجم الصغير (895)»