Musannaf Ibn Abi Shayba 36:519

Ibn Numayr narrated to us, from ‘Abd al-Malik ibn Sabu‘, from ‘Abd Khayr, who said: I heard ‘Ali saying: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) was taken [in death] upon the best [state] that any of the prophets was taken upon. Then Abu Bakr was made successor, and he acted according to the practice of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and his Sunnah. Then Abu Bakr was taken [in death] upon the best [state] that anyone was taken upon, and he was the best of this nation after its Prophet. Then ‘Umar was made successor, and he acted according to their practice and their Sunnah. Then he was taken [in death] upon the best [state] that anyone was taken upon, and he was the best of this nation after its Prophet and after Abu Bakr.