It is narrated from Harith A’war that the Messenger of Allah (ص) said:
“Whoever wants to see Adam (ع) in his knowledge, Noah (ع) in his perception, Abraham (ع) in his forebearance, Yahya (ع) in his asceticism, and Moses (ع) in courage, then he should look at Ali bin Abi Talib (ع)”
Aini, Manaqib Sayedna Ali, page 49; Ibn Asaker, Tarikh Madinah-Damishq, V.42, page 313; Tabari, Zhakair ul-Uqba, page 93 narrating from Abi Humrah; Ibn Abil Hadid, Shahr Nahjul-Balagha, V.9, page 168.