Dr. Rif`at Fawzi, former professor of Shari`ah at Cairo Univ., states: “The existence of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) with the companions did not make deeds easy for them. Rather, the companions were put in too many tests that only people of good and true faith who can bear them. They were put in many trials and hardships because of the existence of the Prophet with them. Rarely a year passed without making a ghazwah (conquest) and they were required to memorize the Qur’an and hadith and to deliver it to people as well as the next generations.
The existence of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) with them was a cause of causing them to have good faith in a way that no other generation enjoy the same faith. So, it is fair for them to be in a higher rank in Paradise.
However, it should be noted that a Muslim may be resurrected with them bearing into consideration the Prophet’s hadith, “A man is resurrected with one whom he loves.”
So, a Muslim has to do his best to do good deeds and to have a good faith and then he has to leave the issue of his rank in Paradise for Allah bearing into consideration that each one, even the least one, in Paradise will feel content with his share and rank. Allah Almighty will make no one in Paradise feel of deprivation. Also, with good deeds, one may be resurrected with Allah’s Prophets, the righteous, and the martyrs as is clear in Almighty Allah’s saying, “Whoso obeyeth Allah and the messenger, they are with those unto whom Allah hath shown favor, of the Prophets and the saints and the martyrs and the righteous. The best of company are they!” (An-Nisa’: 69)
Finally, do not forget to make du`a’ (supplication) to Allah asking Him to grant you a good and sincere faith and to resurrect you along with Allah’s Prophets and the companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and to attain Al-Firdaws, the highest rank in Paradise.”