It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) that he said: "When the blessed soul of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was taken, I said to a man of the Ansar: Come, let us ask the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) (about matters of knowledge), for today they are present in large numbers. Thereupon that man said: O Ibn Abbas, I am amazed at you! Do you think that people will be in need of you (for knowledge), when among the people are those eminent Companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) who are present at this time?"
Musnad Ahmad bin Mani': 4069; all the narrators of its chain are thiqat (trustworthy).
Hadith Referenceالمطالب العالية بزوائد المسانيد الثمانية / كتاب المناقب / 4069
Hadith Gradingمحدثین:إسناده صحيح، موقوف
Hadith Takhrij«حکم الحدیث المطالب العالیہ محققاً تنسیق د. سعد بن ناصر بن عبد العزيز الشَّثري- مکتبہ شاملہ :إسناده صحيح موقوف » «أخرجه المستدرك للحاكم برقم: 363، وأخرجه مسند الدارمي برقم: 590، وأخرجه المعجم الكبير للطبراني برقم: 10592»