It is narrated from Shurayh bin Ubaid that Sayyiduna Utbah (may Allah be pleased with him) used to say: Sayyiduna Irbad (may Allah be pleased with him) was better than me, and Sayyiduna Irbad (may Allah be pleased with him) used to say: Sayyiduna Uqbah (may Allah be pleased with him) was better than me; he reached the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) one year before me.