Shaykh Tabarsi has narrated that Thauban, the freed slave of the Prophet used to love the Messenger of Allah (S) very much and could not bear separation from him. He came to the Prophet one day and his face was pale, body weak and thin. The Holy Prophet (S) asked him why he was so pale? He said that he was not suffering from any illness but that till he did not see the Prophet, he used to be restless and eager and till he did not come to the Prophet, he could not get rest.
Then I remember the hereafter, how I will come to the presence of the Messenger of Allah (S), although I know that you will get the loftiest grades of Paradise with the divine prophets. If I also reach Paradise, I will be at a much lower station than yours. And if I cannot reach Paradise, I will never be able to see you again. The following verse was revealed at that time:
وَمَنْ يُطِعِ اللَّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ فَأُولٰئِكَ مَعَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنَ النَّبِيِّينَ وَالصِّدِّيقِينَ وَالشُّهَدَاءِ وَالصَّالِحِينَ ۚ وَحَسُنَ أُولَٰئِكَ رَفِيقًا
“And whoever obeys Allah and the Apostle, these are with those upon whom Allah has bestowed favors from among the prophets and the truthful and the martyrs and the good, and a goodly company are they!”14
The Holy Prophet (S) said: “By the One who sent with truth, no man is perfect in faith till he does not consider me dearer to him than his parents, family and all other people.”