Majma al-Zawaid — Hadith 871

Abu Tamimah narrates about Sayyiduna Jundub bin Abdullah al-Azdi (may Allah be pleased with him), who was a Companion of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Abu Tamimah narrates: He and I were travelling towards Basrah until we reached a place called "Bayt al-Miskin", which was as far from Basrah as "al-Nawbah" is. He asked: Have you ever studied the Qur'an with anyone? I replied: Yes! He said: When we reach Basrah, bring those people to me. So I brought Salih bin Misrah, Abu Bilal and his grandfather, and Nafi' bin al-Azraq to him; in my view at that time these people were among the most virtuous people of Basrah. Then he began narrating hadith to me from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Sayyiduna Jundub (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The example of the scholar who teaches people goodness and forgets himself is like a lamp, which gives light to people and burns itself." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) also said: "(Let it not happen) that when a person is looking at the gates of Paradise, a handful of blood which he shed unjustly comes between him and Paradise." The narrator says: Then those present began to talk, and they mentioned enjoining good and forbidding evil, while Sayyiduna Jundub (may Allah be pleased with him) remained silent, listening to them. Then he said: I have never seen people like those of today who are more deserving of salvation, provided they are truthful.
Tabarani recorded it in al-Mu'jam al-Kabir. It has another chain as well, which will come in the chapter on fighting the rebels. The narrators of this report have been declared trustworthy.