Al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 3078 — Travelling in pursuit of knowledge

It is narrated from Abd al-Malik bin Farigh that Abu Sayyad told him that one day at midday he was with Maslamah bin Mukhallad (the governor of Egypt) when suddenly a man came riding on his mount and, seeking permission to see Maslamah, called out: "O Maslamah!" Maslamah ordered one of his slave-girls, saying: "See who this is." She said: "An elder who has come on his mount." The man said: "Call Maslamah to me." The slave-girl asked (in astonishment): "Shall I call the governor for you?" Maslamah said to the slave-girl: "Go back to him and ask him: 'Who are you?'" He told his name, and Maslamah (out of respect) stood up at once; that man was one of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). He said to Maslamah: "I heard a blessed hadith from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and on that day Sayyiduna Uqbah bin Amir (may Allah be pleased with him) was the closest of the gathering to him (peace and blessings be upon him). I wished to ask him about this hadith so that I might attain complete reassurance and certainty; so, O Maslamah, come with me to him." Maslamah said: "Rather, I will send for him and he will come to me himself." At this the Companion said (indignantly): "Your rule and authority have made you vain. (If you will not come yourself,) then order Abu Sayyad to go with me to Uqbah." So when Sayyiduna Uqbah bin Amir (may Allah be pleased with him) saw him, he welcomed him and took him by the hand. Then the man said: "I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) saying" and then he narrated the hadith.
Imam Abu Ya'la al-Mawsili recorded it in his Musnad. Its men are thiqat (trustworthy), and this report is an excellent example of the Companions' travelling for the sake of knowledge and of their lofty character in speaking the truth.