Al-Maqburi narrates: We were with Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) when Sayyiduna Imam Hasan bin Ali (may Allah be pleased with them both) came and gave the greeting of peace. Those present returned his greeting and he went on his way. Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) was with us but did not notice. He was told that Imam Hasan bin Ali (may Allah be pleased with them both) had given the greeting of peace, so Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) went after him and said: "And upon you be peace, O my master!" Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) was asked: "You were saying, 'O my master'?" Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "I bear witness that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'He (that is, he said this about Sayyiduna Imam Hasan (may Allah be pleased with him)) is a leader.'"
Tabarani recorded it, and its narrators are thiqat (trustworthy).
Hadith Referenceمجمع الزوائد ومنبع الفوائد / كتاب المناقب / 15049
Hadith Gradingمحدثین:إسنادہ صحیح
Hadith Takhrij«اخرجه ابو يعلى فى المسند (6561) اخرجه الطبراني فى المعجم الكبير “ (2596) ، أخرجه المعجم الكبير للطبراني برقم: 2596، وأخرجه السنن الكبرى للنسائي برقم: 10304»