الأدلة كثيرة: منها عدّ خلافتهم بثلاثين سنة، وهي مدة إمارتهم، وتفضيلهم على سائر أصحاب النبي ﷺ، وما رواه سَمُرة بن جُنْدَب قال: قال رجل: يا رسول الله ﷺ! رأيت كأن دلوًا نزل من السماء، فجاء أبو بكر فأخذه فشرب منه شربًا ضعيفًا، ثم جاء عمر فأخذه فشرب حتى تضلّع، ثم جاء عثمان فأخذه فشرب حتى تضلّع، ثم جاء علي فأخذه فانتُزع منه وانتُثر عليه منه شيء. (رواه أبو داود وأحمد)

A--- The proofs are numerous: counting its period with thirty years which is the period of their leadership, preferring them to all other companions of the Prophet (Peace be upon him), and what has been narrated by Samura Ibn Jundub saying: that a man said: “O Allah's Messenger! I saw as if a bucket descended from the sky. Then came Abu Bakr and took it and he drank very few thereof Then, came 'Umar who took it and drank till he got satisfied. Then, came `Uthman who took it and drank till he got satisfied. Then, came `Ali who took it and it was drawn from him and something thereof was spelt over him.” (Abu Dawud and Ahmed)