It is narrated from Abu al-Bakhtari that he said: We mentioned Sayyiduna Abu Bakr, Sayyiduna Umar and Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with them) in the presence of him (a certain elder), and he said: "This is a very fine opinion and a commendable matter, and indeed I feel in my heart for Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) such intense attachment and affection as I do not feel for those two (Sayyiduna Abu Bakr and Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both))."
All the narrators of this report are thiqat (trustworthy), and Ibn Abi Shaybah recorded it in his al-Musannaf (no. 32091).
Hadith Referenceالمطالب العالية بزوائد المسانيد الثمانية / كتاب المناقب / 3997
Hadith Gradingمحدثین:إسناده ضعيف
Hadith Takhrij«حکم الحدیث المطالب العالیہ محققاً تنسیق د. سعد بن ناصر بن عبد العزيز الشَّثري- مکتبہ شاملہ :إسناده ضعيف » «انفرد به المصنف من هذا الطريق»