Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) had a doorkeeper who would announce when people would arrive and seek permission for them to enter. When people would gather at the door of Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) (to learn the mubaarak Ahaadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)), Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) would instruct the doorkeeper to call them in. Permission would first be granted to certain special students of Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) to enter. Thereafter, permission would be given for other people to enter.
Once, Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) was criticized for teaching the special students before everyone else. Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) explained, “These special students of mine are the neighbors of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) (i.e. I show them special attention on account of them being residents of Madinah Munawwarah and the neighbors of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)).”
(Ad-Deebaaj-ul-Muzahhab 1/108-109)