even if this was only known through abdullah bin abbas alone it would have been sufficient and a clear proof for the wonder in him surpassed all wonders and cut off all causes. you have seen omars need for him his consultation with him his correction of uthman and his change of him. if there was no one among his peers deserving of virtue and special for it the messenger would not have singled him out with the answered supplication nor would he have singled him out with the knowledge of the book and the sunnah which are the highest knowledge and the most noble thought. his prioritization of the goal and his preference for education and clarification is indicated by his statement when he was asked in his youth and before reaching the age of maturity what gave you this knowledge this explanation and this understanding? he said a heart of intellects and a tongue of inquiry.
ولو لم يعرف ذلك إلا بعبد الله بن العباس وحده كان ذلك كافيا، وبرهانا شافيا، فإن الأعجوبة فيه أربت على كل عجب، وقطعت كل سبب. وقد رأيتم حاجة عمر إليه، واستشارته إياه، وتقويمه لعثمان رضي الله عنهما وتغييره عليه. ولو لم يكن للفضيلة من بين أقرانه مستحقا، وبها مخصوصا، ما خصه الرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم بالدعوة المستجابة، ولما خصه بعلم الكتاب والسنة وهما أرفع العلم، وأشرف الفكر. ويدلك على تقديمه للغاية، وإيثاره للتعليم والاستبانة، قوله حين قيل له في حداثته وقبل البلوغ في سنه ما الذي آتاك هذا العلم وهذا البيان والفهم؟ قال قلب عقول، ولسان سؤول .