Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) relates that Sayyiduna Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) came to visit the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) during his illness. He (peace and blessings be upon him) lifted him (out of honour) and seated him in his own place on the bed. Then the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said to him: "O uncle, may Allah Almighty raise you high."
Sayyiduna Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "This is Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) asking permission to come in." He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Let him come in."
So he came in, and with him were Sayyiduna al-Hasan and Sayyiduna al-Husayn (may Allah be pleased with them both). Sayyiduna Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "O Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), these are your children." He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "O uncle, they are your children too." He said: "Do you love them?" He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "May Allah Almighty love you as He loves them."
Hadith Referenceالمعجم الأوسط / باب الألف / 2962
Hadith Gradingمحدثین:إسناده ضعيف لضعف محمد بن يحيى الحجري
Hadith Takhrij«قال الهيثمي: فيه محمد بن يحيى الحجري وهو ضعيف «مجمع الزوائد ومنبع الفوائد، ج 9، ص 173»» «أخرجه الطبراني فى «الصغير» برقم: 246»