[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Another narration is: The Prophet (ﷺ) was asked; "What about a person who loves a people but cannot be with them?" (i.e., either he cannot attain their lofty position of righteousness or that he has not met with them in this life). He (ﷺ) replied, "A person will be in the company of those whom he loves".
وفي رواية قال: قيل للنبي صلى الله عليه وسلم : الرجل يحب القوم ولما يلحق بهم؟ قال: "المرء مع من أحب".
Reference | : Riyad as-Salihin 368 |
In-book reference | : Introduction, Hadith 368 |