Sahih al-Bukhari 4468
Sahih al-Bukhari · Book 64: Military Expeditions led by the Prophet (pbuh) (Al-Maghaazi) · The dispatch of Usama bin Zaid رضي الله عنهما by the Prophet (saws) during his fatal illness
Narrated Salim's father:
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَاصِمٍ الضَّحَّاكُ بْنُ مَخْلَدٍ ، عَنِ الْفُضَيْلِ بْنِ سُلَيْمَانَ ، حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى بْنُ عُقْبَةَ ، عَنْ سَالِمٍ ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ ، اسْتَعْمَلَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أُسَامَةَ ـ فَقَالُوا فِيهِ ـ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " قَدْ بَلَغَنِي أَنَّكُمْ قُلْتُمْ فِي أُسَامَةَ، وَإِنَّهُ أَحَبُّ النَّاسِ إِلَىَّ " .
The Prophet (ﷺ) appointed Usama as the commander of the troops (to be sent to Syria). The Muslims spoke about Usama (unfavorably ). The Prophet (ﷺ) said, " I have been informed that you spoke about Usama. (Let it be known that ) he is the most beloved of all people to me."