It is narrated from Hasan Basri that a man said to Sayyiduna Amr bin Al-Aas (may Allah be pleased with him): "What is your opinion about the person whom the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) loved throughout his life? Would he not be a righteous man?" He replied: "Why not?" So the man said: "When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) departed from this world, he had appointed you as his governor." Sayyiduna Amr bin Al-Aas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "He did appoint me as governor, but by Allah! I do not know whether he appointed me because of his love for me or to seek my help. However, I will tell you that when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) departed from this world, he loved two men: one was Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) and the other was Sayyiduna Ammar bin Yasir (may Allah be pleased with him)."