Hadith 6150

`Abdallah b. `Umar told that when God's messenger sent out a force in charge of which he appointed Usama b. Zaid and some people criticised his appointment, he said, "If you criticise his appointment you have done the same before about his father's appointment[*]. I swear by God that he was worthy of the office of commander, that he was one of those who were dearest to me, and that this man is one of those who are dearest to me after his time." *The reference is to Zaid b. Haritha who was killed when leading the troops at Mu'ta. (Bukhari and Muslim.) In a version by Muslim there is something to the same effect at the end of which come the words "I commend him to you, for he is one of your upright ones."