Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 37870 — Mutarrif bin al-Shikhkhir

It is narrated from Mutarrif, who said: We used to say among ourselves that of two men who love one another for the sake of Allah, the better is the one who has the greater love for his companion. He said: When Madh'ur and Amir bin Abdullah were sent into exile, the narrator said: Madh'ur met Mutarrif and began discussing with him. Mutarrif said: I began to say: "My brother, why have you held me back, when the stars have set and the night is passing?" He said: "O Allah, for You." Then he discussed with Mutarrif for another while. Mutarrif again said: "My brother, why have you held me back, when the stars have set and the night is passing?" He said: "O Allah, for You." Then, when morning came, I was told that he had gone. Then I recognised his superiority over me that night.