عن معاذ بن جبل قال: لما بعثه رسول الله صلَّى الله عليه وسلَّم إلى اليمن خرج معه رسول الله صلَّى الله عليه وسلَّم يوصيه، ومعاذ راكب، ورسوله الله صلَّى الله عليه وسلَّم يمشي تحت راحلته، فلما فرغ قال: "يا معاذ إنك عسى أن لا تلقاني بعد عامي هذا، أو لعلك أن تمر بمسجدي هذا أو قبر" فبكى معاذ جشعاً لفراق رسول الله صلَّى الله عليه وسلَّم، ثم التفت فأقبل بوجهه نحو المدينة فقال: "إن أولى الناس بي المتقون من كانوا وحيث كانوا"  (رواه احمد)

Hadrat Muaaz R.A narrates that Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam offered various advises him whilst bidding him farewell to Yemen. Muaaz R.A. was mounted on his conveyance whilst Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam was walking (on the ground). After advising Muaaz R.A., Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam said O Muaaz, perhaps you will not meet me after this year and you will pass by my Masjid and Qabr. Hearing this Muaaz R.A. began weeping due to the grieve of separation from Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam. Thereafter Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam turned towards Madinah Munawwarah and said, “The closest to me are those that are pious whoever they may be and wherever they may be.”

From this Hadith Sharif we understand that any person that leads a life of Taqwa will be close to Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam, even though he may be the citizen of a particular country or belonging to a particular tribe. Being close (to Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam) could have two meanings, it could mean that you will be close to my intercession or you will be close to me in position. A life of Taqwa is attained by remaining in the company of the Buzurgs (pious servants of Allah Ta'ala.) A person is unable to swim by merely reading a book on swimming. He will have to learn swimming from an experienced swimmer. Similarly, Taqwa cannot be acquired through Kitaabs but one will have to remain in the company of a Muttaqi (Allah fearing) servant for a lengthy duration. It is through the blessings of Taqwa that Hadrat Uwais Qarni whilst residing in Yemen reached such a lofty rank and as a result of discarding Taqwa how were the honourable leaders of Makkah Sharif destroyed.  In this Hadith the Ummat has been advised to adopt Taqwa. O Allah, bless us with this Ne’mat. Ameen!.