Musnad Ahmad

Sayyiduna Talhah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that once two men came to the service of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and both accepted Islam at the same time. One of them strove much harder than his companion. This person, who strove harder, participated in a battle and was martyred. The other man lived for another year after him and then passed away a natural death. Sayyiduna Talhah (may Allah be pleased with him) says that he saw in a dream that he was near the gate of Paradise. Suddenly, he saw both of them. A man came out from Paradise and gave permission for the one who died later to enter first. After a short while, he came out and gave permission for the martyr to enter as well. Then both of them came to me and said, "You should return, your time has not yet come." When morning came and Sayyiduna Talhah (may Allah be pleased with him) mentioned this dream to the people, they were greatly surprised. When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) came to know of it, he said, "What are you surprised about?" The people said, "O Messenger of Allah! This man strove more and was martyred in the way of Allah, yet the other man entered Paradise before him." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Did he not live for another year after him?" The people said, "Yes, he did." He said, "Did he not reach the month of Ramadan and fast during it?" The people said, "Yes, he did." He said, "Did he not perform so many prostrations during the year?" The people said, "Yes, he did." Upon this, he said, "That is the reason why the difference between them is as great as the distance between the heavens and the earth."