Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Sahihah

Mu’adh bin Rifa’ah bin Rafi’ Zurqi narrates from his father, who was a participant of Badr, and his grandfather, who was among the people of ‘Aqabah, that he said: Jibril (peace be upon him) came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and asked: What status do you consider for those who participated in the Battle of Badr? The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) replied: “The most virtuous among the Muslims.” Jibril (peace be upon him) said: The angels who participated in that battle are also considered (the most virtuous) in the same way.