Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Sahihah

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both), he says that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "There are some servants of Allah who are neither prophets nor martyrs, but the prophets and martyrs will envy them because of their closeness to Allah and their sitting with Him." A Bedouin sat down on his knees and said: "O Messenger of Allah! Describe their qualities for us and make them clear to us." The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "They will be people of unknown lineage from unrecognized tribes, who will have mutual friendship for the sake of Allah and will love one another for His sake. On the Day of Resurrection, Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, will place pulpits of light for them. Other people will be afraid, but they will have no fear. These are the friends (awliya) of Allah, about whom (according to the Divine statement): 'There will be no fear upon them, nor will they grieve.'"