It is narrated from Hazrat Usama (may Allah be pleased with him) that once Hazrat Ja'far (may Allah be pleased with him), Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), and Zaid bin Harithah (may Allah be pleased with him) were together in one place. During the conversation, Hazrat Ja'far (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) loves me the most among all of you." Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said the same about himself, and Hazrat Zaid bin Harithah (may Allah be pleased with him) said the same about himself. To settle the matter, they said, "Let us go to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and ask him." So they came and sought permission to enter upon the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said to me, "See who has come?" I looked and said, "Ja'far, Ali, and Zaid have come." I did not say, "My father has come." The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Allow them to enter." They came in and said, "O Messenger of Allah! Whom do you love the most?" The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Fatimah." They said, "We are asking you about men." The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "O Ja'far! Your appearance most resembles mine and your character most resembles mine. You are from me and you are my branch. And Ali! You are my son-in-law and the father of my children (grandsons). I am from you and you are from me. And O Zaid! You are our freedman and you are from me and towards me, and among all people you are the most beloved to me."