Arabic (Original)
حَدَّثَنَا أَسْوَدُ بْنُ عَامِرٍ، حَدَّثَنِي عَبْدُ الْحَمِيدِ بْنُ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ يَعْنِي الْفَرَّاءَ، عَنْ إِسْرَائِيلَ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ يُثَيْعٍ، عَنْ عَلِيٍّ، رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ قِيلَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَنْ يُؤَمَّرُ بَعْدَكَ قَالَ إِنْ تُؤَمِّرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ تَجِدُوهُ أَمِينًا زَاهِدًا فِي الدُّنْيَا رَاغِبًا فِي الْآخِرَةِ وَإِنْ تُؤَمِّرُوا عُمَرَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ تَجِدُوهُ قَوِيًّا أَمِينًا لَا يَخَافُ فِي اللَّهِ لَوْمَةَ لَائِمٍ وَإِنْ تُؤَمِّرُوا عَلِيًّا رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ وَلَا أُرَاكُمْ فَاعِلِينَ تَجِدُوهُ هَادِيًا مَهْدِيًّا يَأْخُذُ بِكُمْ الطَّرِيقَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ.
English Translation
It was narrated that Hadrat 'Ali (may Allah be well pleased with him) said: It was said: O Beloved Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), who should be appointed in charge after you are gone? He said: “If you appoint Hadrat Abu Bakr, you will find him trustworthy and uninterested in worldly gains, seeking the Hereafter. If you appoint ‘Umar, you will find him strong and trustworthy and not fearing the blame of anyone for the sake of Allah. If you appoint Ali Which I do not think you will do you will find him a guide and guided, he will take you on the straight path.”