While I was with ʿUthman, a man came to him and said, "Appoint your successor." ʿUthman said, "Has such successor been named?" He replied, "Yes, Az-Zubair." ʿUthman said, thrice, "By Allah! Indeed you know that he is the best of you."
سَمِعْتُ مَرْوَانَ كُنْتُ عِنْدَ عُثْمَانَ أَتَاهُ رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ اسْتَخْلِفْ قَالَ وَقِيلَ ذَاكَ قَالَ نَعَمْ الزُّبَيْرُ قَالَ أَمَا وَاللَّهِ إِنَّكُمْ لَتَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّهُ خَيْرُكُمْ ثَلاَثًا