Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Sahihah

Sayyiduna Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him) says: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) saying on the pulpit in favor of the Ansar: "The general people are like the upper garment, and the Ansar are like the lower garment (i.e., the special people). If people walk in one valley and the Ansar walk in another ravine, I will walk in the ravine of the Ansar. If there had been no migration, I would have been among the Ansar. Whoever becomes responsible for the affairs of the Ansar should treat their good people well and overlook the mistakes of those who err. Whoever frightens them has frightened that which is between these two sides." The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said this while pointing to himself.