Healthy Competition:
'Al-Hasan al-Basree said, "If you see a man competing with you with regard to this world then compete with him concerning the hereafter."
Wuhayb ibn al-Ward said, "If you are able to make sure that no one precedes you in hastening towards Allah then do so."
Muhammad ibn Yoosuf al-Asbahaanee said, "If a person hears of another person or knows another person who is more obedient to Allah than him, then that should grieve him."
So it is correct to vie for the levels of rank in the Hereafter and to seek and aspire to that by hastening in that which leads to it, and that a person should not be satisfied with aspiring for a lower rank when it is within his power to aspire for that which is higher.'
From 'The Evil of Craving Wealth and Status' by al-Haafidh ibn Rajab al-Hanbalee (rahimahullah)