Sahl narrates from his father that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, ordered his companions to go on a military expedition. One man stayed behind and said to his family: My purpose in staying behind is that I may perform the Zuhr prayer with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, then bid him farewell with salutations, and he, peace and blessings be upon him, will supplicate for me in such a way that it will be a means of intercession for me on the Day of Resurrection. So when the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, performed the prayer and that man turned towards him with salutations, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said to him: Do you know how much those people have surpassed you? He said: Yes, they set out in the morning (and I will set out now after Zuhr). The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: By Him in Whose hand is my soul! They have surpassed you in virtue and greatness by so much that it is more than the distance between the two Easts and the two Wests.