It is narrated from Abu Idris al-Khawlani (may Allah have mercy on him) that he said: I sat in a gathering in which there were twenty Companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). Among them was a very handsome and dignified young man whose eyes were deep black and whose front teeth were gleaming. Whenever the Companions differed about something and that young man gave his opinion, they would all agree and stop at his view. On enquiring, I learned that he was Sayyiduna Mu'adh bin Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him). The next day I came again and saw that he was praying beside a pillar. He shortened his prayer, then sat drawing his knees up to his stomach and remained silent. I said: "I love you for the sake of the majesty of Allah." He asked: "By Allah?" I said: "By Allah." Then he said: "Indeed, for those who love one another for the sake of Allah (I think he also said: in the shade of Allah on the Day when there is no shade but His shade; and there is no doubt in the rest of the words) chairs of light will be placed; the Prophets, the truthful and the martyrs will envy them for their place of sitting." Abu Idris says: Then I told this to Sayyiduna Ubadah bin al-Samit (may Allah be pleased with him), and he said: "I will tell you only what I myself heard from the blessed tongue of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), that he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'My love is established for those who love one another for My sake; My love is due to those who spend wealth on one another for My sake; My love is binding for those who keep their hearts pure towards one another for My sake; My love is rightfully due to those who go to meet one another for My sake; and My love is certain for those who keep ties with one another for My sake.'" Shu'bah was in doubt about the words "al-mutawasilin" (those who keep ties) and "al-mutazawirin" (those who visit one another). This hadith is sahih (authentic) on the condition of the two Shaykhs (Bukhari and Muslim), but they did not record it.

It is narrated from Abu Idris al-Khawlani (may Allah have mercy on him) that he said: I entered the mosque of Hims and sat in a circle in which all the people were narrating hadith from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). Among them was a young man; when he spoke, all the people would listen attentively, and when he spoke to someone, that person would listen to him with full attention. Then the people dispersed, and I did not know at that time who that young man was. Then he mentioned the complete lengthy hadith.

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Indeed, Allah has some servants who are neither Prophets nor martyrs, yet on the Day of Resurrection the Prophets and martyrs will envy them because of their nearness to Allah Almighty and their rank with Him." At this, a Bedouin knelt on his knees and said: "O Messenger of Allah! People who are neither Prophets nor martyrs, yet the Prophets and martyrs will envy them because of their nearness to Allah Almighty and their rank with Him! Describe them to us and make their reality clear to us." He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "They will be people from various families and scattered tribes who, solely for the pleasure of Allah, became friends with one another and loved one another for His sake. On the Day of Resurrection, Allah Almighty will set up pulpits of light for them. When other people are afraid, they will have no fear. These are the friends of Allah upon whom there will be no fear, nor will they grieve." Imam al-Hakim said that the chain of this hadith is sahih (authentic), but Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim did not record it.