It is narrated from Awn bin Abi Juhaifah, who says: My father was among the special guards of Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him). He was sitting near the pulpit. He related to me that Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) came to the pulpit, praised and glorified Allah Almighty, sent blessings upon the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and said: In this Ummah, after the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) and after him, Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) are the most virtuous. Then he said: Allah sends goodness and blessings wherever He wills.