Can one who has been guided attain a higher rank in Paradise than the one who was instrumental in their guidance, and does this contradict the saying that a person can reach the ranks of the righteous, even if they were not among the Companions?

It is possible for the rank of the guided person to be higher than that of the caller (to Islam), and it is not necessary for their rewards to be equal. However, according to the majority of scholars, no one after the Companions can reach their ranks, and the early predecessors (Salaf) are superior to those who came later. Nevertheless, among those who came later (Khalaf), some may attain a higher rank than others who preceded them, excluding the Companions, due to the hadith: "Twelve thousand will emerge from Aden Abyan, who will support Allah and His Messenger. They are the best among those between me and them."