Is this narration authentic?
لم يجلس أبو بكر الصديق في مجلس رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم على المنبر حتى لقي الله، ولم يجلس عمر في مجلس أبي بكر حتى لقي الله، ولم يجلس عثمان في مجلس عمر حتى لقي الله
Answer
Imam Tabarani (rahimahullah) has recorded this statement of Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhuma). Hafiz Haythami (rahimahullah) states, ‘The narrators are reliable, however there exists a difference of opinion regarding some narrators.’
(Al Mu’jamul Awsat, Hadith: 7919, Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 9 pg. 54)
Translation
Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radiyallahu ‘anhu) did not sit in the place of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) on the pulpit [out of respect] until he passed away, Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu) did not sit in the place of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radiyallahu ‘anhu) until he passed away and Sayyiduna ‘Uthman (radiyallahu ‘anhu) did not sit in the place of Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu) until he passed away.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar