On one occasion, Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Shall I not tell you who is the best person in this Ummah after the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)? Sayyiduna Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) and Sayyiduna Umar al-Faruq (may Allah be pleased with him), and if I wish, I can also mention the third one.
Hadith Referenceمسند احمد / مسند الخلفاء الراشدين / 934
Hadith Gradingحکم دارالسلام:حديث صحيح، وهذا إسناد ضعيف، سويد بن سعيد الهروي فيه مقال، والصبي فيه ضعف يحتمل، وسويد وصبي قد توبعا