Musnad Ahmad Hadith 21777

It is narrated from Usama (may Allah be pleased with him) that once Ja'far (may Allah be pleased with him), Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), and Zaid bin Harithah (may Allah be pleased with him) were together in one place. During the conversation, Ja'far (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) loves me the most among all of you." Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said the same about himself, and Zaid bin Harithah (may Allah be pleased with him) said the same about himself. To settle the matter, they said, "Let us go to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and ask him." So they came and sought permission to enter upon the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said to me, "See who has come?" I looked and said, "Ja'far, Ali, and Zaid have come." I did not say, "My father has come." The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said, "Allow them to enter." They came in and said, "O Messenger of Allah! Whom do you love the most?" The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said, "Fatimah." They said, "We are asking you about men." The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said, "O Ja'far! Your appearance most resembles mine and your character most resembles mine. You are from me and you are my branch. And Ali! You are my son-in-law and the father of my children (grandsons). I am from you and you are from me. And O Zaid! You are our freedman and you are from me and towards me, and among all people you are the most beloved to me."