The most beloved of all to the holy Prophet (ص)

It is narrated from Aisha that the Messenger of Allah (ص) was in my house in the state of sickness and before dying, he said:

عَنْ مَعَاذَةِ الْغِفَارِيَةِ: كُنْتُ أَنِيساً لِرَسُولِ اللهِ (صلّی‌ الله‌ عليه ‌وآله) أَخْرُجُ مَعَهُ فِي الْأَسْفَارِ، أَقُومُ عَلَی الْمَرْضَی، وَاُدَاوِي الْجَرْحَی. فَدَخَلْتُ عَلی رَسُولِ اللهِ (صلّی‌ الله‌ عليه ‌وآله) بِبَيْتِ عائِشَةَ وَعَلِيٌّ خَارِجٌ مِنْ عِنْدِهَا،‌ فَسَمِعْتُهُ يَقوُلُ لِعَائِشَةَ:

﴿ إِنَّ هَذَا أَحَبُّ الرِّجَالِ إِلَيَّ وَأَكْرَمَهُمْ عَلَيَّ، فَاعْرِفِي لِي حَقَّهُ، وَأَكْرِمِي مَثْوَاهُ ﴾

“I was a friend and companion of the Messenger of God (ص) such that I would accompany him on journeys and upon his instructions, I would attend to the unwell and heal their wounds. One day I visited the Prophet (ص) who was in Aisha’s house and at that point, Ali was present outside the house. I heard the Prophet (ص) enlightening her about Ali and saying:

 "This is the most beloved of men to me and the most respected among them to me, so for my sake, do recognize his right and honor his position."