Superiority of the company of pious people
Superiority of the company of pious people
53) Narrated AbO Huraira : Allah's Messenger said: Allah has some angels who roam about the
streets in search of people mentioning Allah's Names. When they find such a gathering, they call one another saying: Come to the object of your pursuit. The Prophet added: The angels surround them with their wings up to the lowest heaven (sky of the world). He further added: (When the people in the gathering disperse, the angels ascend to the heaven). Their Lord, who knows best about the people, asks them: What do my slaves say? The angels reply: They were glorifying You (by repeating the words "Allah is the All-Glorified , exalting You (by repeating the words "Allah is All-Great praising You (by repeating the words "All praise be to Allah, and dignifying You. He asks them: Have they seen Me? The angels reply: No, by Allah. 0 Lord! They haven't seen You (at all). He asks: How would it be if they saw Me? The angels reply: If they saw You, they would worship You more devotedly, dignify You more fervently and exalt You more sincerely. Then Allah asks them: What do they ask Me? The angels reply: They ask You Paradise. He asks them: Have they seen it? The angels reply: No, by Allah, they have not seen it. He asks: How would it be, if they saw it? The angels reply: If they saw it, they would crave for it eagerly, seek after it vigorously and desire it ardently. He asks: From what do they seek My protection? The angels reply: (They seek your protection) from Hell. He asks: Have they seen it? The angels reply: No, by Allah, 0 Lord! They haven't see it (at all). He asks: How would it be, if they saw it. The angels reply: If they saw it, they would fear it extremely and flee from it hastily. Then Allah says (to the angels): I make you witness that I have forgiven them. Allah's Messenger added: One of the angels would say: 0 Lord! among them was so-and-so (a much sinning slave) who was not actually included in the gathering but he happened to came there for some need (and sat down with them). Allah would remark: Anyhow, they were all sitting together, so their companion will not be reduced to misery (i.e. they were sitting together and glorifying Allah, so he who sits with them will not suffer but get forgiveness as a reward for his association with the people remembering Allah).
(This Haditb is sound and reported by Bukhari and Muslim).
