Al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 3310 — The virtue of scrupulousness and piety

It is narrated from Sayyiduna al-Bara' bin Azib (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Truly, Allah, Glorified and Exalted, has certain chosen and special servants whom He will settle in the lofty and exalted stations of Paradise; they were the people of the greatest intellect and understanding among mankind." Then he (peace and blessings be upon him) said (describing their qualities): "They are the people whose entire concern is to race one another in seeking the pleasure of their Lord and to hasten towards the deeds that please Him. They renounced the world, its useless excesses and its leadership and positions, and it (the world) became utterly insignificant in their eyes. So they were patient for a short while (in the passing life of this world), and then (in the Hereafter) they attained long, everlasting rest and comfort."
Imam al-Bayhaqi recorded this hadith in 'al-Zuhd al-Kabir'; its chain contains Hanzalah bin Wada'ah and his father, who are majhul (unknown), and for that reason this narration is da'if (weak) in its chain.