Sayyiduna Umar bin al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) states: I was sitting with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and he said: "Tell me about those who are the most excellent of the people of faith in terms of faith." The people said: "O Messenger of Allah! The angels." the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "They are indeed so, and it is their right to be so; what could prevent them from that when Allah Almighty has granted them a special station? But it is someone other than them." The people said: "O Messenger of Allah! Then the Prophets, whom Allah Almighty has honoured with His Messengership and Prophethood." the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "They are indeed so, and they are deserving of it; what could prevent them from that when Allah Almighty has granted them a special rank and station?" The people said: "O Messenger of Allah! Then the martyrs who attained martyrdom alongside the Prophets." the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "They are indeed so, and they are deserving of it; what could prevent them when Allah Almighty has honoured them with martyrdom? But it is other people than them." The people said: "O Messenger of Allah! Who are they?" the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "People who are still in the loins of men and will come after me; they will believe in me although they have not seen me, and they will affirm me although they have not seen me. They will find a hanging page and act upon the rulings in it. These people will be the most excellent of the people of faith in terms of faith."
Abu Ya'la recorded it.
Hadith Referenceمجمع الزوائد ومنبع الفوائد / كتاب المناقب / 16689