Is it possible for a Muslim to be a neighbor of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and his companions in Paradise? What are the deeds that lead to that rank?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

There is no doubt that the degrees and ranks of Prophets in Paradise are the highest ones. When the Companions became aware of this fact and felt that none but Prophets deserve such high ranks, they feared that the high rank of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, would prevent them from seeing and accompanying him, while he was their beloved companion whom they could not bear to be separated from, not even for a moment.

On the authority of ‘Aa’ishah a man told the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, that he loved him dearly but whenever he remembered that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, on the Day of Judgment would be elevated to the highest place in Paradise, he became sad because he could not reach that rank and, consequently, would not see him. Thereafter, Allaah The Almighty revealed the verse (which means): {And whoever obeys Allaah and the Messenger - those will be with the ones upon whom Allaah has bestowed favor of the Prophets, the steadfast affirmers of truth, the martyrs and the righteous. And excellent are those as companions.} [Quran 4:69] The part of the verse which says (what means): {Those will be with the ones upon whom Allaah has bestowed favor} means that they will be with them in the same abode and the same bliss, enjoying seeing them and being in their presence. This is a general rule which is not confined to a certain age or generation.

Anyone who submissively and utterly obeys Allaah and His Messenger will be, by the grace and favor of Allaah, a neighbor and companion of those on whom Allaah The Almighty has bestowed the favor of the Prophets, the affirmers of the truth and the martyrs. Such is the promise of Allaah and Allaah The Almighty does not fail in His promises.

On the authority of Abu Hurayrah the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, mentioned that he and the one who takes care of the orphan will be as close in Paradise as the index finger and the middle finger. [Muslim]

On the authority of Rabee‘ah Ibn Maalik he asked the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, to be his companion in Paradise. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, requested him to prostrate much before Allaah The Almighty - that is, to offer many prayers. [Muslim]

On the authority of Anas a man told the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, that he loved Allaah The Almighty and His Messenger. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, told him that he would be with those whom he loved on the Day of Judgment.

To sum up, taking care of an orphan, frequent prostration, loving the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, his companions, and those who follow them in truth until the Day of Recompense, and doing many good deeds elevate the doer to be a neighbor to those whom Allaah The Almighty has bestowed upon His favor, the Prophets, the truthful, the martyrs, and the righteous. Among these, the best among them is Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.

Allaah Knows best.