Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that a man from among the Companions passed by a mountain pass in which there was a small spring of sweet water. Because of its pleasantness, he liked that place and the spring very much. He said (thought): "I wish I could separate myself from the people and reside in this mountain pass." But then he said, "I will never do so until I seek permission from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him)." He mentioned this to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and he said: "Do not do so, for if any one of you stands in the path of Allah, it is better than praying in his house for seventy years. Do you not wish that Allah should forgive your sins and admit you to Paradise? Strive in the path of Allah. Whoever strives in the path of Allah for the duration between two milkings of a she-camel, Paradise becomes obligatory for him." __REF_N__ Imam Tirmidhi says: This hadith is Hasan.