It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The best number of companions (travel companions) is four, the best army consists of four thousand (fighters), and twelve thousand (a sincere army) will not be defeated merely because of small numbers." This hadith is sahih (authentic) on the condition of the two Shaykhs (Bukhari and Muslim), and they did not record it. There is a fourfold disagreement over its chain from Imam al-Zuhri, which I have explained in my book "al-Talkhis".

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) sent out an expedition consisting of a few men. He (peace and blessings be upon him) asked: "How much of the Qur'an do you know?" He (peace and blessings be upon him) tested each of them in turn until he came to a young man who was the youngest of them all in age. He (peace and blessings be upon him) asked: "O so-and-so! How much of the Qur'an do you know?" He replied: I know such-and-such surahs and Surah al-Baqarah. He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Go, you are their leader (because you know a great surah like Surah al-Baqarah)." This hadith is sahih (authentic) on the condition of the two Shaykhs (Bukhari and Muslim), and they did not record it.