It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Layla (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "I will certainly give the banner to a man who loves Allah and His Messenger, and whom Allah and His Messenger love." Then he (peace and blessings be upon him) gave the banner to Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him).
Imam al-Tabarani (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "This hadith was narrated from Abd al-Malik bin Abi Sulayman only by Ali bin Hashim, and Dirar bin Surad is alone in narrating it."
Hadith Referenceالمعجم الأوسط / باب الميم / 5789
Hadith Takhrij«أخرجه الطبراني فى «الكبير» برقم: 6421»