Praise be to Allah,
Sufyaan [ibn ‘Uyaynah] narrated to us from ‘Amr [ibn Deenaar] who said he heard Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullaah
“On the Day we [marched to] al-Hudaybiyah, We were one thousand and four hundred. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said to us, ‘You are the best people on earth today.'”
(Musnad Ahmad, Vol. 3, p. 308. The isnaad of this hadeeth is Saheeh according to the conditions set by al-Bukhaaree and Muslim.)
Note:
Al-Hudaybiyah is a plain, a little to the west of the Madeenah-Makkah road, as used in the Prophet’s time. The Prophet (PBUH) announced his intention of visiting Makkah to perform ‘Umrah (the minor pilgrimage), so he marched out along with his companions to Makkah. When they reached al-Hudaybiyah, they sent several envoys to the Quraysh leaders to inform them of his peaceful intentions. However, when news reached him that ‘Uthmaan whom he had sent as an envoy, was killed, he (PBUH) announced that he would not leave the place until he had fought the Quraysh. He called for a pledge of allegiance which was called Bay’ at ar-Ridwaan “the pledge of Allah’s good pleasure.
Source:
Thulaathiyyaat Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal (may Allah have mercy on him)
Reports of Imaam Ahmad that have only three narrators between him and the Prophet, peace, and blessings be upon him.
Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Saalim as–Saffaareenee al–Hanbalee ~(1114 –1188 AH)