Narrated Salim's father:

The Prophet 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."

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَاصِمٍ الضَّحَّاكُ بْنُ مَخْلَدٍ، عَنِ الْفُضَيْلِ بْنِ سُلَيْمَانَ، حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى بْنُ عُقْبَةَ، عَنْ سَالِمٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، اسْتَعْمَلَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ أُسَامَةَ ـ فَقَالُوا فِيهِ ـ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ " قَدْ بَلَغَنِي أَنَّكُمْ قُلْتُمْ فِي أُسَامَةَ، وَإِنَّهُ أَحَبُّ النَّاسِ إِلَىَّ ".