It is narrated from Hazrat Buraidah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Allah Almighty loves four people from among my noble companions (may Allah be pleased with them), and He has informed me that He loves them, and He has commanded me to love them as well. The people asked, "O Messenger of Allah! Who are they?" The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: One of them is Ali, the second is Abu Dharr Ghifari, the third is Salman Farsi, and the fourth is Miqdad bin Aswad Kindi (may Allah be pleased with them).