I was sitting in a circle in the mosque of Medina and there was an old man, quite handsome. He was 'Abdullah b. Salim. He was telling good things to them (to the people sitting in that company). As he stood up (to depart) the people said: He who is desirous of looking at a person from amongst the people of Paradise should see him. I said: By Allah, I will follow him, and would try to know his residence. So I followed him and he walked on until he reached the outskirts of Medina. He then entered his house. I sought permission from him to get in, and he granted me the permission, saying: My nephew, what is the need (that has brought you here)? I said to him: As you stood up, I heard people say about you: He who is desirous of seeing a person from among the people of Paradise should look at him. So I became desirous of accompanying you. He ('Abdullah b. Salim) said: It is Allah Who knows best about the people of Paradise. I would, however, narrate to you as to why they said like it. (The story is) that while I was asleep (one night) there came to me a person (in the dream) who asked me to stand up. (So I stood up) and he caught hold of my hand and I walked along with him, and, lo, I found some paths on my left and I was about to set out upon them. Thereupon he said to me Do not set yourself on (them) for these are the paths of the leftists (denizens of Hell-fire). Then there were paths leading to the right side, whereupon he said: Set yourself on these paths. We came across a hill and he said to me: Climb up, and I attempted to climb up that I fell upon my buttocks. I made several attempts (but failed to succeed). He led until he came to a pillar (so high) that its upper end touched the sky and its base was in the earth. And there was a handhold at its upper end. He said to me Climb over it. I said: How can I climb upon it, as its upper end touches the sky? He cought hold of my hand and pushed me up and I found myself suspended with the handhold. He then struck the pillar and it fell down, but I remained attached to that handhold until it was morning (and the dream was thus over). I came to Allah's Apostle ﷺ and narrated it to him. He said: So far as the paths which you saw on your left are concerned, these are paths of the leftists (denizens of Hell) and the paths which you saw on your right, these are the paths of the rightists (the dwellers of Paradise) and the mountain represents the destination of the martyrs which you would not be able to attain. The pillar implies the pillar of Islam. and so far as the handhold is concerned, it implies the handhold of Islam, and you would hold to it fastly until you would meet death.  

كُنْتُ جَالِسًا فِي حَلْقَةٍ فِي مَسْجِدِ الْمَدِينَةِ قَالَ وَفِيهَا شَيْخٌ حَسَنُ الْهَيْئَةِ وَهُوَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ سَلاَمٍ قَالَ فَجَعَلَ يُحَدِّثُهُمْ حَدِيثًا حَسَنًا قَالَ فَلَمَّا قَامَ قَالَ الْقَوْمُ مَنْ سَرَّهُ أَنْ يَنْظُرَ إِلَى رَجُلٍ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ فَلْيَنْظُرْ إِلَى هَذَا قَالَ فَقُلْتُ وَاللَّهِ لأَتْبَعَنَّهُ فَلأَعْلَمَنَّ مَكَانَ بَيْتِهِ قَالَ فَتَبِعْتُهُ فَانْطَلَقَ حَتَّى كَادَ أَنْ يَخْرُجَ مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ ثُمَّ دَخَلَ مَنْزِلَهُ قَالَ فَاسْتَأْذَنْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَأَذِنَ لِي فَقَالَ مَا حَاجَتُكَ يَا ابْنَ أَخِي قَالَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ سَمِعْتُ الْقَوْمَ يَقُولُونَ لَكَ لَمَّا قُمْتَ مَنْ سَرَّهُ أَنْ يَنْظُرَ إِلَى رَجُلٍ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ فَلْيَنْظُرْ إِلَى هَذَا فَأَعْجَبَنِي أَنْ أَكُونَ مَعَكَ قَالَ اللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِأَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ وَسَأُحَدِّثُكَ مِمَّ قَالُوا ذَاكَ إِنِّي بَيْنَمَا أَنَا نَائِمٌ إِذْ أَتَانِي رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ لِي قُمْ فَأَخَذَ بِيَدِي فَانْطَلَقْتُ مَعَهُ قَالَ فَإِذَا أَنَا بِجَوَادَّ عَنْ شِمَالِي قَالَ فَأَخَذْتُ لآخُذَ فِيهَا فَقَالَ لِي لاَ تَأْخُذْ فِيهَا فَإِنَّهَا طُرُقُ أَصْحَابِ الشِّمَالِ قَالَ فَإِذَا جَوَادُّ مَنْهَجٌ عَلَى يَمِيِنِي فَقَالَ لِي خُذْ هَا هُنَا فَأَتَى بِي جَبَلاً فَقَالَ لِي اصْعَدْ قَالَ فَجَعَلْتُ إِذَا أَرَدْتُ أَنْ أَصْعَدَ خَرَرْتُ عَلَى اسْتِي قَالَ حَتَّى فَعَلْتُ ذَلِكَ مِرَارًا قَالَ ثُمَّ انْطَلَقَ بِي حَتَّى أَتَى بِي عَمُودًا رَأْسُهُ فِي السَّمَاءِ وَأَسْفَلُهُ فِي الأَرْضِ فِي أَعْلاَهُ حَلْقَةٌ فَقَالَ لِيَ اصْعَدْ فَوْقَ هَذَا قَالَ قُلْتُ كَيْفَ أَصْعَدُ هَذَا وَرَأْسُهُ فِي السَّمَاءِ قَالَ فَأَخَذَ بِيَدِي فَزَجَلَ بِي قَالَ فَإِذَا أَنَا مُتَعَلِّقٌ بِالْحَلْقَةِ قَالَ ثُمَّ ضَرَبَ الْعَمُودَ فَخَرَّ قَالَ وَبَقِيتُ مُتَعَلِّقًا بِالْحَلْقَةِ حَتَّى أَصْبَحْتُ قَالَ فَأَتَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ فَقَصَصْتُهَا عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ أَمَّا الطُّرُقُ الَّتِي رَأَيْتَ عَنْ يَسَارِكَ فَهِيَ طُرُقُ أَصْحَابِ الشِّمَالِ قَالَ وَأَمَّا الطُّرُقُ الَّتِي رَأَيْتَ عَنْ يَمِينِكَ فَهِيَ طُرُقُ أَصْحَابِ الْيَمِينِ وَأَمَّا الْجَبَلُ فَهُوَ مَنْزِلُ الشُّهَدَاءِ وَلَنْ تَنَالَهُ وَأَمَّا الْعَمُودُ فَهُوَ عَمُودُ الإِسْلاَمِ وَأَمَّا الْعُرْوَةُ فَهِيَ عُرْوَةُ الإِسْلاَمِ وَلَنْ تَزَالَ مُتَمَسِّكًا بِهَا حَتَّى تَمُوتَ  

I and two of my companions were so much afflicted by hunger that we had lost our power of seeing and hearing. We presented ourselves (as guests) to the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ, but none amongst them would entertain us. So we came to Allah's Apostle ﷺ, and he took us to his residence and there were three goats. Allah's Apostle ﷺ said: Milk these for us. So we milked them and every person amongst us drank his share and we set aside the share of Allah's Apostle ﷺ. (It was his habit) to come during the night and greet (the people present there) in a manner that would not wake up one in sleep but make one who was awake hear it. He would then go to the mosque and say prayer, then go to the milk and drink it. Miqdad added: One night the Satan came to me when I had taken my share, and he said: Muhammad has gone to the Ansar, who would offer him hospitality and he would get what is with them, and he has no need for this draught (of milk). So I took (that milk) and drank it, and when it had penetrated deeply in my stomach and I was certain that there was no way out (but to digest it), the Satan aroused (my sense of) remorse and said: Woe be to thee! what have you done? You have taken the drink reserved for Muhammad! When he would come and he would not find it, he would curse you, and you would be ruined, and thus there would go (waste) this world and the Hereafter (for) you. There was a sheet over me; as I placed (pulled) it upon my feet, my head was uncovered and as I placed it upon my head, my feet were uncovered, and I could not sleep, but my two companions had gone to sleep for they had not done what I had done. There came Allah's Apostle ﷺ, and he greeted as he used to greet (by saying as-Salamu 'Alaikum). He then came to the mosque and observed prayer and then came to his drink (milk) and uncovered it, but did not find anything in it. He raised his head towards the sky, and I said (to myself) that he (the Holy Prophet) was going to invoke curse upon me and I would be thus ruined; but he (the Holy Prophet) said: Allah, feed him who fed me and give drink to him who provided me drink. I held tight the sheet upon myself (and when he had supplicated), I took hold of the knife and went to the goats (possessed by the Holy Prophet) so that I may slauhter one for Messenger of Allah ﷺ which was the fattest amongst them, and in fact all of them were milch goats; then I took hold of the vessel which belonged to the family of Messenger of Allah ﷺ in which they used to milk and drink therefrom, and milked them in that until it swelled up with foam. I came to Messenger of Allah ﷺ and he said: Have you taken your share of the milk during the night? I said: Drink it. and he drank it; he then handed over (the vessel) to me and I said: Messenger of Allah, drink it, and he drank it and handed over (the vessel) to me again, I then perceived that Allah's Apostle ﷺ had been satiated and I had got his blessings. I burst into laughter (so much) so that I fell upon the ground, whereupon Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Miqdad, it must be one of your mischiefs. I said: Messenger of Allah, this affair of mind is like this and this. and I have done so. Thereupon. Allah's Apostle ﷺ said: This is nothing but a mercy from Allah. Why is it that you did not give me an opportunity so that we should have awakened our two friends and they would have got their share (of the milk)? I said: By Him Who has sent you with Truth. I do not mind whatever you give (to them), and whatever the (other) people happen to get, when I had got it along with you from among the people.  

أَقْبَلْتُ أَنَا وَصَاحِبَانِ لِي وَقَدْ ذَهَبَتْ أَسْمَاعُنَا وَأَبْصَارُنَا مِنَ الْجَهْدِ فَجَعَلْنَا نَعْرِضُ أَنْفُسَنَا عَلَى أَصْحَابِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَلَيْسَ أَحَدٌ مِنْهُمْ يَقْبَلُنَا فَأَتَيْنَا النَّبِيَّ ﷺ فَانْطَلَقَ بِنَا إِلَى أَهْلِهِ فَإِذَا ثَلاَثَةُ أَعْنُزٍ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ احْتَلِبُوا هَذَا اللَّبَنَ بَيْنَنَا قَالَ فَكُنَّا نَحْتَلِبُ فَيَشْرَبُ كُلُّ إِنْسَانٍ مِنَّا نَصِيبَهُ وَنَرْفَعُ لِلنَّبِيِّ ﷺ نَصِيبَهُ قَالَ فَيَجِيءُ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَيُسَلِّمُ تَسْلِيمًا لاَ يُوقِظُ نَائِمًا وَيُسْمِعُ الْيَقْظَانَ قَالَ ثُمَّ يَأْتِي الْمَسْجِدَ فَيُصَلِّي ثُمَّ يَأْتِي شَرَابَهُ فَيَشْرَبُ فَأَتَانِي الشَّيْطَانُ ذَاتَ لَيْلَةٍ وَقَدْ شَرِبْتُ نَصِيبِي فَقَالَ مُحَمَّدٌ يَأْتِي الأَنْصَارَ فَيُتْحِفُونَهُ وَيُصِيبُ عِنْدَهُمْ مَا بِهِ حَاجَةٌ إِلَى هَذِهِ الْجُرْعَةِ فَأَتَيْتُهَا فَشَرِبْتُهَا فَلَمَّا أَنْ وَغَلَتْ فِي بَطْنِي وَعَلِمْتُ أَنَّهُ لَيْسَ إِلَيْهَا سَبِيلٌ قَالَ نَدَّمَنِي الشَّيْطَانُ فَقَالَ وَيْحَكَ مَا صَنَعْتَ أَشَرِبْتَ شَرَابَ مُحَمَّدٍ فَيَجِيءُ فَلاَ يَجِدُهُ فَيَدْعُو عَلَيْكَ فَتَهْلِكُ فَتَذْهَبُ دُنْيَاكَ وَآخِرَتُكَ وَعَلَىَّ شَمْلَةٌ إِذَا وَضَعْتُهَا عَلَى قَدَمَىَّ خَرَجَ رَأْسِي وَإِذَا وَضَعْتُهَا عَلَى رَأْسِي خَرَجَ قَدَمَاىَ وَجَعَلَ لاَ يَجِيئُنِي النَّوْمُ وَأَمَّا صَاحِبَاىَ فَنَامَا وَلَمْ يَصْنَعَا مَا صَنَعْتُ قَالَ فَجَاءَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ فَسَلَّمَ كَمَا كَانَ يُسَلِّمُ ثُمَّ أَتَى الْمَسْجِدَ فَصَلَّى ثُمَّ أَتَى شَرَابَهُ فَكَشَفَ عَنْهُ فَلَمْ يَجِدْ فِيهِ شَيْئًا فَرَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ فَقُلْتُ الآنَ يَدْعُو عَلَىَّ فَأَهْلِكُ فَقَالَ اللَّهُمَّ أَطْعِمْ مَنْ أَطْعَمَنِي وَأَسْقِ مَنْ أَسْقَانِي قَالَ فَعَمَدْتُ إِلَى الشَّمْلَةِ فَشَدَدْتُهَا عَلَىَّ وَأَخَذْتُ الشَّفْرَةَ فَانْطَلَقْتُ إِلَى الأَعْنُزِ أَيُّهَا أَسْمَنُ فَأَذْبَحُهَا لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَإِذَا هِيَ حَافِلَةٌ وَإِذَا هُنَّ حُفَّلٌ كُلُّهُنَّ فَعَمَدْتُ إِلَى إِنَاءٍ لآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ ﷺ مَا كَانُوا يَطْمَعُونَ أَنْ يَحْتَلِبُوا فِيهِ قَالَ فَحَلَبْتُ فِيهِ حَتَّى عَلَتْهُ رَغْوَةٌ فَجِئْتُ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ أَشَرِبْتُمْ شَرَابَكُمُ اللَّيْلَةَ قَالَ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ اشْرَبْ فَشَرِبَ ثُمَّ نَاوَلَنِي فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ اشْرَبْ فَشَرِبَ ثُمَّ نَاوَلَنِي فَلَمَّا عَرَفْتُ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ قَدْ رَوِيَ وَأَصَبْتُ دَعْوَتَهُ ضَحِكْتُ حَتَّى أُلْقِيتُ إِلَى الأَرْضِ قَالَ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ إِحْدَى سَوْآتِكَ يَا مِقْدَادُ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ كَانَ مِنْ أَمْرِي كَذَا وَكَذَا وَفَعَلْتُ كَذَا فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ مَا هَذِهِ إِلاَّ رَحْمَةٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ أَفَلاَ كُنْتَ آذَنْتَنِي فَنُوقِظَ صَاحِبَيْنَا فَيُصِيبَانِ مِنْهَا قَالَ فَقُلْتُ وَالَّذِي بَعَثَكَ بِالْحَقِّ مَا أُبَالِي إِذَا أَصَبْتَهَا وَأَصَبْتُهَا مَعَكَ مَنْ أَصَابَهَا مِنَ النَّاسِ  

Send your son to my residence (to carry this haudaj), and my father said to me: Carry it (for him). So I carried it and there went along with him (with Abu Bakr) my father in order to fetch its price and he ('Azib) said to Abu Bakr: Abu Bakr, narrate to me what you both did on the night when you set out on a journey along with Messenger of Allah ﷺ. He said: We set out during the night and went on walking until it was noon, and the path was vacant and so none passed by that (until) there appeared prominently before us a large rock. It had its shade and the rays of the sun did not reach that place. So we got down at that place. I then went to the rock and levelled the ground with my hands at the place where the Prophet ﷺ would take rest under its shade. I then set the bedding and said: Messenger of Allah, go to sleep and I shall keep a watch around you. I went out and watched around him. There we saw a shepherd moving towards that rock with his flock and he intended what we intended (i. e. taking rest). I met him and said to him: Young boy, to which place do you belong? He said: I am a person from Medina. I said, is there any milk in the udders of your sheep and goats? He said: Yes. He took hold of a goat, and I said to him: Clean the udder well so that it should be free from hair, dust and impurity. I saw al-Bara' striking his hand upon the other (to give an indication) how he did that. He milked the goat for me in a wooden cup which he had with him and I had with me a bucket in which I kept water for drinking and for performing ablution. I came to Allah's Apostle ﷺ and did not like to awaken him from sleep but he was accidentally startled from the sleep. I poured water upon the milk (till It was cold) and I said: Messenger of Allah, take this milk. He then took It and I was delighted and he (the Holy Prophet) said: Is now not the time to march on? I said: Of course. So he marched on after the sun had passed the meridian and Suraqa b. Malik pursued us and we had been walking on soft, level ground. I said: Messenger of Allah, we are about to be overtaken by them. Thereupon he said: Be not grieved. Verily, Allah is with us. Then Messenger of Allah ﷺ cursed him and his horse sank into the earth. I think he also said: I know you have hurled curse upon me. So supplicate Allah for me and I take an oath that I shall turn everyone away who would come in search of you. So he (Messenger of Allah) supplicated Allah and he was rescued and he came back and to everyone he met, he said: I have combed all this side. In short, he diverted everyone whom he met and he in fact fulfilled his promise.  

لِعَازِبٍ ابْعَثْ مَعِيَ ابْنَكَ يَحْمِلْهُ مَعِي إِلَى مَنْزِلِي فَقَالَ لِي أَبِي احْمِلْهُ فَحَمَلْتُهُ وَخَرَجَ أَبِي مَعَهُ يَنْتَقِدُ ثَمَنَهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبِي يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ حَدِّثْنِي كَيْفَ صَنَعْتُمَا لَيْلَةَ سَرَيْتَ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ نَعَمْ أَسْرَيْنَا لَيْلَتَنَا كُلَّهَا حَتَّى قَامَ قَائِمُ الظَّهِيرَةِ وَخَلاَ الطَّرِيقُ فَلاَ يَمُرُّ فِيهِ أَحَدٌ حَتَّى رُفِعَتْ لَنَا صَخْرَةٌ طَوِيلَةٌ لَهَا ظِلٌّ لَمْ تَأْتِ عَلَيْهِ الشَّمْسُ بَعْدُ فَنَزَلْنَا عِنْدَهَا فَأَتَيْتُ الصَّخْرَةَ فَسَوَّيْتُ بِيَدِي مَكَانًا يَنَامُ فِيهِ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ فِي ظِلِّهَا ثُمَّ بَسَطْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَرْوَةً ثُمَّ قُلْتُ نَمْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَأَنَا أَنْفُضُ لَكَ مَا حَوْلَكَ فَنَامَ وَخَرَجْتُ أَنْفُضُ مَا حَوْلَهُ فَإِذَا أَنَا بِرَاعِي غَنَمٍ مُقْبِلٍ بِغَنَمِهِ إِلَى الصَّخْرَةِ يُرِيدُ مِنْهَا الَّذِي أَرَدْنَا فَلَقِيتُهُ فَقُلْتُ لِمَنْ أَنْتَ يَا غُلاَمُ فَقَالَ لِرَجُلٍ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْمَدِينَةِ قُلْتُ أَفِي غَنَمِكَ لَبَنٌ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ أَفَتَحْلُبُ لِي قَالَ نَعَمْ فَأَخَذَ شَاةً فَقُلْتُ لَهُ انْفُضِ الضَّرْعَ مِنَ الشَّعَرِ وَالتُّرَابِ وَالْقَذَى قَالَ فَرَأَيْتُ الْبَرَاءَ يَضْرِبُ بِيَدِهِ عَلَى الأُخْرَى يَنْفُضُ فَحَلَبَ لِي فِي قَعْبٍ مَعَهُ كُثْبَةً مِنْ لَبَنٍ قَالَ وَمَعِي إِدَاوَةٌ أَرْتَوِي فِيهَا لِلنَّبِيِّ ﷺ لِيَشْرَبَ مِنْهَا وَيَتَوَضَّأَ قَالَ فَأَتَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ وَكَرِهْتُ أَنْ أُوقِظَهُ مِنْ نَوْمِهِ فَوَافَقْتُهُ اسْتَيْقَظَ فَصَبَبْتُ عَلَى اللَّبَنِ مِنَ الْمَاءِ حَتَّى بَرَدَ أَسْفَلُهُ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ اشْرَبْ مِنْ هَذَا اللَّبَنِ قَالَ فَشَرِبَ حَتَّى رَضِيتُ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَلَمْ يَأْنِ لِلرَّحِيلِ قُلْتُ بَلَى قَالَ فَارْتَحَلْنَا بَعْدَ مَا زَالَتِ الشَّمْسُ وَاتَّبَعَنَا سُرَاقَةُ بْنُ مَالِكٍ قَالَ وَنَحْنُ فِي جَلَدٍ مِنَ الأَرْضِ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أُتِينَا فَقَالَ لاَ تَحْزَنْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَنَا فَدَعَا عَلَيْهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَارْتَطَمَتْ فَرَسُهُ إِلَى بَطْنِهَا أُرَى فَقَالَ إِنِّي قَدْ عَلِمْتُ أَنَّكُمَا قَدْ دَعَوْتُمَا عَلَىَّ فَادْعُوَا لِي فَاللَّهُ لَكُمَا أَنْ أَرُدَّ عَنْكُمَا الطَّلَبَ فَدَعَا اللَّهَ فَنَجَى فَرَجَعَ لاَ يَلْقَى أَحَدًا إِلاَّ قَالَ قَدْ كَفَيْتُكُمْ مَا هَا هُنَا فَلاَ يَلْقَى أَحَدًا إِلاَّ رَدَّهُ قَالَ وَوَفَى لَنَا  

"I went to the Prophet ﷺ while he was sitting in the Masjid, the people said: 'This is 'Adi bin Hatim.' And I came without having a treaty nor a writ. When I was brought to him, he took my hand. Prior to that he had said: 'I hope that Allah will place his hand in my hand.'" He said: "He stood with me, and a woman and a boy met him and said: 'We have a need from you.' He stood with them, until he was finished dealing with what they wanted. Then he took me by the hand until he brought me to his house. A slave girl brought him a cushion to sit on, and I sat in front of him. He expressed thanks and praise for Allah then said: 'What has caused you to flee from saying La Ilaha Illallah? Do you know of another god other than Him?'" He said: "I said: 'No.'" He said: "Then he talked for some time, and then said: 'You refuse to say Allahu Akbar because you know that there is something greater than Allah?'" He said: "I said: 'No.' He said: 'Indeed the Jews are those who Allah is wrath with, and the Christians have strayed.'" He said: "I said: 'Indeed I am a Muslim, Hanif.'" He said: "I saw his face smiling with happiness." He said: "Then he ordered that I stop with him at the home of a man from the Ansar, whom he would frequently visit in the mornings and the evenings. When I was with him at night, a people in woolen garments of these Nimar (a cloth with certain patters, and the word appeared before) came. Then he performed Salat and stood to encourage them (the people) to give (charity) to them. Then he said: 'Even with a Sa' or half a Sa', or a handful or part of a handful, to save the face of one of you from the heat of Hell, or the Fire. And even if it be by a date or a part of a date - for indeed one of you shall meet Allah and it shall be said to him what I say to you: "Have I not given hearing and seeing to you?" He shall say: "Of course." It will be said: "Have I not given you wealth and children?" He shall say: "Of course." It will be said: "So where is what you have sent forth for yourself?" He will look before him and behind him, on his right and on his left, but he shall not find anything to protect his face from the heat of Hell. Let one of you protect his face from the Fire, even if with part of a date, and if he does not find that, then with a good statement. For indeed I do not fear poverty for you - Allah will aid you and grant you, such that a woman can travel on her camel howda from Yathrib to Al-Hirah, or further, without fear of being robbed.' I began thinking to myself: "Where would the thieves of Taiy' be then?"'  

أَتَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَهُوَ جَالِسٌ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ فَقَالَ الْقَوْمُ هَذَا عَدِيُّ بْنُ حَاتِمٍ وَجِئْتُ بِغَيْرِ أَمَانٍ وَلاَ كِتَابٍ فَلَمَّا دَفَعْتُ إِلَيْهِ أَخَذَ بِيَدِي وَقَدْ كَانَ قَالَ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ إِنِّي لأَرْجُو أَنْ يَجْعَلَ اللَّهُ يَدَهُ فِي يَدِي قَالَ فَقَامَ بِي فَلَقِيَتْهُ امْرَأَةٌ وَصَبِيٌّ مَعَهَا فَقَالاَ إِنَّ لَنَا إِلَيْكَ حَاجَةً فَقَامَ مَعَهُمَا حَتَّى قَضَى حَاجَتَهُمَا ثُمَّ أَخَذَ بِيَدِي حَتَّى أَتَى بِي دَارَهُ فَأَلْقَتْ لَهُ الْوَلِيدَةُ وِسَادَةً فَجَلَسَ عَلَيْهَا وَجَلَسْتُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ وَأَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ مَا يُفِرُّكَ أَنْ تَقُولَ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ فَهَلْ تَعْلَمُ مِنْ إِلَهٍ سِوَى اللَّهِ قَالَ قُلْتُ لاَ قَالَ ثُمَّ تَكَلَّمَ سَاعَةً ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّمَا تَفِرُّ أَنْ تَقُولَ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَتَعْلَمُ أَنَّ شَيْئًا أَكْبَرُ مِنَ اللَّهِ قَالَ قُلْتُ لاَ قَالَ فَإِنَّ الْيَهُودَ مَغْضُوبٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَإِنَّ النَّصَارَى ضُلاَّلٌ قَالَ قُلْتُ فَإِنِّي جِئْتُ مُسْلِمًا قَالَ فَرَأَيْتُ وَجْهَهُ تَبَسَّطَ فَرَحًا قَالَ ثُمَّ أَمَرَ بِي فَأُنْزِلْتُ عِنْدَ رَجُلٍ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ جَعَلْتُ أَغْشَاهُ آتِيهِ طَرَفَىِ النَّهَارِ قَالَ فَبَيْنَا أَنَا عِنْدَهُ عَشِيَّةً إِذْ جَاءَهُ قَوْمٌ فِي ثِيَابٍ مِنَ الصُّوفِ مِنْ هَذِهِ النِّمَارِ قَالَ فَصَلَّى وَقَامَ فَحَثَّ عَلَيْهِمْ ثُمَّ قَالَ وَلَوْ صَاعٌ وَلَوْ بِنِصْفِ صَاعٍ وَلَوْ بِقَبْضَةٍ وَلَوْ بِبَعْضِ قَبْضَةٍ يَقِي أَحَدُكُمْ وَجْهَهُ حَرَّ جَهَنَّمَ أَوِ النَّارِ وَلَوْ بِتَمْرَةٍ وَلَوْ بِشِقِّ تَمْرَةٍ فَإِنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ لاَقِي اللَّهَ وَقَائِلٌ لَهُ مَا أَقُولُ لَكُمْ أَلَمْ أَجْعَلْ لَكَ سَمْعًا وَبَصَرًا فَيَقُولُ بَلَى فَيَقُولُ أَلَمْ أَجْعَلْ لَكَ مَالاً وَوَلَدًا فَيَقُولُ بَلَى فَيَقُولُ أَيْنَ مَا قَدَّمْتَ لِنَفْسِكَ فَيَنْظُرُ قُدَّامَهُ وَبَعْدَهُ وَعَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَعَنْ شِمَالِهِ ثُمَّ لاَ يَجِدُ شَيْئًا يَقِي بِهِ وَجْهَهُ حَرَّ جَهَنَّمَ لِيَقِ أَحَدُكُمْ وَجْهَهُ النَّارَ وَلَوْ بِشِقِّ تَمْرَةٍ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَجِدْ فَبِكَلِمَةٍ طَيِّبَةٍ فَإِنِّي لاَ أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمُ الْفَاقَةَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ نَاصِرُكُمْ وَمُعْطِيكُمْ حَتَّى تَسِيرَ الظَّعِينَةُ فِيمَا بَيْنَ يَثْرِبَ وَالْحِيرَةِ أَكْثَرُ مَا تَخَافُ عَلَى مَطِيَّتِهَا السَّرَقَ قَالَ فَجَعَلْتُ أَقُولُ فِي نَفْسِي فَأَيْنَ لُصُوصُ طَيِّئٍ  

“I came to Al-Madinah and sat with some old men in the mosque of the Prophet ﷺ. Then an old man came, leaning on his stick, and the people said: ‘Whoever would like to look at a man from among the people of Paradise, let him look at this man.’ He stood behind a pillar and prayed two Rak’ah. I got up and went to him, and said to him: ‘Some of the people said such and such.’ He said: ‘Praise is to Allah. Paradise belongs to Allah and He admits whomsoever He wills to it. At the time of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ I saw a dream in which a man came to me and said: “Let’s go.” So I went with him and he took me along a great road. A road was shown to me on the left and I wanted to follow it, but he said: “You are not one of its people.” Then a road was shown to me on the right, and I followed him until I reached a slippery mountain. He took me by the hand and helped me up. When I reached the top I could not stand firm. There was an iron pillar there with a golden ring at the top. He took my hand and helped me up until I reached the handhold, then he said: “Have you gotten a firm hold?” I said: “Yes.” Then he struck the pillar with his foot and I held tight to the pillar. I told this to the Prophet ﷺ and he said: "You have seen something good. The great road is the plain of gathering (on the Day of Resurrection). The road that you were shown on your left is the way of the people of Hell, and you are not one of its people. The road which you were shown on your right is the way of the people of Paradise. The slippery mountain is the place of the martyrs, and the handhold that you held on tight to is the handhold of Islam. Hold on tight to it until you die." I hope to be one of the people of Paradise,' and he was 'Abdullah bin Salam."  

قَدِمْتُ الْمَدِينَةَ فَجَلَسْتُ إِلَى أَشْيِخَةٍ فِي مَسْجِدِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَجَاءَ شَيْخٌ يَتَوَكَّأُ عَلَى عَصًا لَهُ فَقَالَ الْقَوْمُ مَنْ سَرَّهُ أَنْ يَنْظُرَ إِلَى رَجُلٍ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ فَلْيَنْظُرْ إِلَى هَذَا فَقَامَ خَلْفَ سَارِيَةٍ فَصَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ فَقُمْتُ إِلَيْهِ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ قَالَ بَعْضُ الْقَوْمِ كَذَا وَكَذَا قَالَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الْجَنَّةُ لِلَّهِ يُدْخِلُهَا مَنْ يَشَاءُ وَإِنِّي رَأَيْتُ عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ رُؤْيَا رَأَيْتُ كَأَنَّ رَجُلاً أَتَانِي فَقَالَ لِيَ انْطَلِقْ فَذَهَبْتُ مَعَهُ فَسَلَكَ بِي فِي مَنْهَجٍ عَظِيمٍ فَعُرِضَتْ عَلَىَّ طَرِيقٌ عَلَى يَسَارِي فَأَرَدْتُ أَنْ أَسْلُكَهَا فَقَالَ إِنَّكَ لَسْتَ مِنْ أَهْلِهَا ثُمَّ عُرِضَتْ عَلَىَّ طَرِيقٌ عَنْ يَمِينِي فَسَلَكْتُهَا حَتَّى إِذَا انْتَهَيْتُ إِلَى جَبَلٍ زَلَقٍ فَأَخَذَ بِيَدِي فَزَجَلَ بِي فَإِذَا أَنَا عَلَى ذُرْوَتِهِ فَلَمْ أَتَقَارَّ وَلَمْ أَتَمَاسَكْ وَإِذَا عَمُودٌ مِنْ حَدِيدٍ فِي ذُرْوَتِهِ حَلْقَةٌ مِنْ ذَهَبٍ فَأَخَذَ بِيَدِي فَزَجَّلَ بِي حَتَّى أَخَذْتُ بِالْعُرْوَةِ فَقَالَ اسْتَمْسَكْتَ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ فَضَرَبَ الْعَمُودَ بِرِجْلِهِ فَاسْتَمْسَكْتُ بِالْعُرْوَةِ فَقَالَ قَصَصْتُهَا عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ رَأَيْتَ خَيْرًا أَمَّا الْمَنْهَجُ الْعَظِيمُ فَالْمَحْشَرُ وَأَمَّا الطَّرِيقُ الَّتِي عُرِضَتْ عَنْ يَسَارِكَ فَطَرِيقُ أَهْلِ النَّارِ وَلَسْتَ مِنْ أَهْلِهَا وَأَمَّا الطَّرِيقُ الَّتِي عُرِضَتْ عَنْ يَمِينِكَ فَطَرِيقُ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ وَأَمَّا الْجَبَلُ الزَّلَقُ فَمَنْزِلُ الشُّهَدَاءِ وَأَمَّا الْعُرْوَةُ الَّتِي اسْتَمْسَكْتَ بِهَا فَعُرْوَةُ الإِسْلاَمِ فَاسْتَمْسِكْ بِهَا حَتَّى تَمُوتَ فَأَنَا أَرْجُو أَنْ أَكُونَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ فَإِذَا هُوَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ سَلاَمٍ  

“I came to Al-Madinah and sat with some old men in the mosque of the Prophet ﷺ. Then an old man came, leaning on his stick, and the people said: ‘Whoever would like to look at a man from among the people of Paradise, let him look at this man.’ He stood behind a pillar and prayed two Rak’ah. I got up and went to him, and said to him: ‘Some of the people said such and such.’ He said: ‘Praise is to Allah. Paradise belongs to Allah and He admits whomsoever He wills to it. At the time of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ I saw a dream in which a man came to me and said: “Let’s go.” So I went with him and he took me along a great road. A road was shown to me on the left and I wanted to follow it, but he said: “You are not one of its people.” Then a road was shown to me on the right, and I followed him until I reached a slippery mountain. He took me by the hand and helped me up. When I reached the top I could not stand firm. There was an iron pillar there with a golden ring at the top. He took my hand and helped me up until I reached the handhold, then he said: “Have you gotten a firm hold?” I said: “Yes.” Then he struck the pillar with his foot and I held tight to the pillar. I told this to the Prophet ﷺ and he said: "You have seen something good. The great road is the plain of gathering (on the Day of Resurrection). The road that you were shown on your left is the way of the people of Hell, and you are not one of its people. The road which you were shown on your right is the way of the people of Paradise. The slippery mountain is the place of the martyrs, and the handhold that you held on tight to is the handhold of Islam. Hold on tight to it until you die." I hope to be one of the people of Paradise,' and he was 'Abdullah bin Salam." (Using translation from Ibn Mājah 3920)  

قَدِمْتُ الْمَدِينَةَ فَجَلَسْتُ إِلَى شِيَخَةٍ فِي مَسْجِدِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَجَاءَ شَيْخٌ يَتَوَكَّأُ عَلَى عَصًا لَهُ فَقَالَ الْقَوْمُ مَنْ سَرَّهُ أَنْ يَنْظُرَ إِلَى رَجُلٍ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ فَلْيَنْظُرْ إِلَى هَذَا فَقَامَ خَلْفَ سَارِيَةٍ فَصَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ فَقُمْتُ إِلَيْهِ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ قَالَ بَعْضُ الْقَوْمِ كَذَا وَكَذَا فَقَالَ الْجَنَّةُ لِلَّهِ ﷻ يُدْخِلُهَا مَنْ يَشَاءُ وَإِنِّي رَأَيْتُ عَلَى عَهْدِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ رُؤْيَا رَأَيْتُ كَأَنَّ رَجُلًا أَتَانِي فَقَالَ انْطَلِقْ فَذَهَبْتُ مَعَهُ فَسَلَكَ بِي مَنْهَجًا عَظِيمًا فَعَرَضَتْ لِي طَرِيقٌ عَنْ يَسَارِي فَأَرَدْتُ أَنْ أَسْلُكَهَا فَقَالَ إِنَّكَ لَسْتَ مِنْ أَهْلِهَا ثُمَّ عَرَضَتْ لِي طَرِيقٌ عَنْ يَمِينِي فَسَلَكْتُهَا حَتَّى انْتَهَيْتُ إِلَى جَبَلٍ زَلِقٍ فَأَخَذَ بِيَدِي فَزَجَلَ بِي فَإِذَا أَنَا عَلَى ذُرْوَتِهِ فَلَمْ أَتَقَارَّ وَلَا أَتَمَاسَكْ فَإِذَا عَمُودٌ مِنْ حَدِيدٍ فِي ذُرْوَتِهِ حَلْقَةٌ مِنْ ذَهَبٍ فَأَخَذَ بِيَدِي فَزَجَلَ بِي حَتَّى أَخَذْتُ بِالْعُرْوَةِ فَقَالَ اسْتَمْسِكْ فَقُلْتُ نَعَمْ فَضَرَبَ الْعَمُودَ بِرِجْلِهِ فَاسْتَمْسَكْتُ بِالْعُرْوَةِ فَقَصَصْتُهَا عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ رَأَيْتَ خَيْرًا أَمَّا الْمَنْهَجُ الْعَظِيمُ فَالْمَحْشَرُ وَأَمَّا الطَّرِيقُ الَّتِيعَرَضَتْ عَنْ يَسَارِكَ فَطَرِيقُ أَهْلِ النَّارِ وَلَسْتَ مِنْ أَهْلِهَا وَأَمَّا الطَّرِيقُ الَّتِي عَرَضَتْ عَنْ يَمِينِكَ فَطَرِيقُ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ وَأَمَّا الْجَبَلُ الزَّلِقُ فَمَنْزِلُ الشُّهَدَاءِ وَأَمَّا الْعُرْوَةُ الَّتِي اسْتَمْسَكْتَ بِهَا فَعُرْوَةُ الْإِسْلَامِ فَاسْتَمْسِكْ بِهَا حَتَّى تَمُوتَ قَالَ فَأَنَا أَرْجُو أَنْ أَكُونَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ قَالَ وَإِذَا هُوَ عَبْدُ اللهِ بْنُ سَلَامٍ  

I was sitting in a circle in the mosque of Medina and there was an old man, quite handsome. He was 'Abdullah b. Salim. He was telling good things to them (to the people sitting in that company). As he stood up (to depart) the people said: He who is desirous of looking at a person from amongst the people of Paradise should see him. I said: By Allah, I will follow him, and would try to know his residence. So I followed him and he walked on until he reached the outskirts of Medina. He then entered his house. I sought permission from him to get in, and he granted me the permission, saying: My nephew, what is the need (that has brought you here)? I said to him: As you stood up, I heard people say about you: He who is desirous of seeing a person from among the people of Paradise should look at him. So I became desirous of accompanying you. He ('Abdullah b. Salim) said: It is Allah Who knows best about the people of Paradise. I would, however, narrate to you as to why they said like it. (The story is) that while I was asleep (one night) there came to me a person (in the dream) who asked me to stand up. (So I stood up) and he caught hold of my hand and I walked along with him, and, lo, I found some paths on my left and I was about to set out upon them. Thereupon he said to me Do not set yourself on (them) for these are the paths of the leftists (denizens of Hell-fire). Then there were paths leading to the right side, whereupon he said: Set yourself on these paths. We came across a hill and he said to me: Climb up, and I attempted to climb up that I fell upon my buttocks. I made several attempts (but failed to succeed). He led until he came to a pillar (so high) that its upper end touched the sky and its base was in the earth. And there was a handhold at its upper end. He said to me Climb over it. I said: How can I climb upon it, as its upper end touches the sky? He cought hold of my hand and pushed me up and I found myself suspended with the handhold. He then struck the pillar and it fell down, but I remained attached to that handhold until it was morning (and the dream was thus over). I came to Allah's Apostle ﷺ and narrated it to him. He said: So far as the paths which you saw on your left are concerned, these are paths of the leftists (denizens of Hell) and the paths which you saw on your right, these are the paths of the rightists (the dwellers of Paradise) and the mountain represents the destination of the martyrs which you would not be able to attain. The pillar implies the pillar of Islam. and so far as the handhold is concerned, it implies the handhold of Islam, and you would hold to it fastly until you would meet death. (Using translation from Muslim 2484c)   

فَجَعَلَ يُحَدِّثُهُمْ حَدِيثًا حَسَنًا فَلَمَّا قَامَ قَالَ الْقَوْمُ مَنْ سَرَّهُ أَنْ يَنْظُرَ إِلَى رَجُلٍ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ فَلْيَنْظُرْ إِلَى هَذَا قُلْتُ وَاللَّهِ لَأَتَّبِعَنَّهُ فَلَأَعْلَمَنَّ مَكَانَ بَيْتِهِ فَتَبِعْتُهُ فَانْطَلَقَ حَتَّى كَادَ أَنْ يَخْرُجَ مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ ثُمَّ دَخَلَ مَنْزِلَهُ فَاسْتَأْذَنْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَأَذِنَ لِي فَقَالَ مَا حَاجَتُكَ يَا ابْنَ أَخِي؟ قُلْتُ لَهُ سَمِعْتُ الْقَوْمَ يَقُولُونَ كَذَا وَكَذَا فَأَعْجَبَنِي أَنْ أَكُونَ مَعَكَ قَالَ اللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِأَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ وَسَأُحَدِّثُكَ مِمَّا قَالُوا قَالُوا ذَلِكَ إِنِّي بَيْنَمَا أَنَا نَائِمٌ إِذْ أَتَانِي رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ لِي قُمْ فَأَخَذَ بِيَدِي فَانْطَلَقْتُ مَعَهُ فَإِذَا أَنَا بِجَوَادٍ عَنْ شِمَالِي فَأَخَذْتُ لِآخُذَ فِيهَا فَقَالَ لِي لَا تَأْخُذْ فِيهَا فَإِنَّهَا طَرِيقُ أَهْلِ الشِّمَالِ فَإِذَا جَوَادٌ مُنْهَجٌ عَنْ يَمِينِي فَقَالَ لِي خُذْ هَا هُنَا فَإِذَا أَنَا بِجَبَلٍ فَقَالَ لِي اصْعَدْ قَالَ فَجَعَلْتُ إِذَا أَرَدْتُ أَنْ أَصْعَدَ خَرَرْتُ عَلَى إِسْتِي قَالَ حَتَّى فَعَلْتُ ذَلِكَ مِرَارًا قَالَ ثُمَّ انْطَلَقَ حَتَّى أَتَى بِي عَمُودًا رَأْسُهُ فِي السَّمَاءِ وَأَسْفَلُهُ فِي الْأَرْضِ فِي أَعْلَاهُ حَلْقَةٌ فَقَالَ لِي اصْعَدْ فَوْقَ هَذَا قَالَ قُلْتُ كَيْفَ أَصْعَدُ وَرَأْسُهُ فِي السَّمَاءِ قَالَ فَأَخَذَ بِيَدِي فَزَجَلَ بِي فَإِذَا أَنَا مُتَعَلِّقٌ بِالْحَلْقَةِ حَتَّى أَصْبَحْتُ فَأَتَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ فَقَصَصْتُهَا عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ «أَمَا الطَّرِيقُ الَّتِي رَأَيْتَ عَنْ يَسَارِكَ فَهِيَ طَرِيقُ أَهْلِ الشِّمَالِ وَأَمَّا الطَّرِيقُ الَّتِي عَنْ يَمِينِكَ فَهِيَ طَرِيقُ أَهْلِ الْيَمَنِ وَأَمَّا الْعُرْوَةُ فَهِيَ عُرْوَةُ الْإِسْلَامِ فَلَنْ تَزَالَ مُتَمَسِّكًا بِهَا حَتَّى تَمُوتَ»  

I was sitting in a circle in the mosque of Medina and there was an old man, quite handsome. He was 'Abdullah b. Salim. He was telling good things to them (to the people sitting in that company). As he stood up (to depart) the people said: He who is desirous of looking at a person from amongst the people of Paradise should see him. I said: By Allah, I will follow him, and would try to know his residence. So I followed him and he walked on until he reached the outskirts of Medina. He then entered his house. I sought permission from him to get in, and he granted me the permission, saying: My nephew, what is the need (that has brought you here)? I said to him: As you stood up, I heard people say about you: He who is desirous of seeing a person from among the people of Paradise should look at him. So I became desirous of accompanying you. He ('Abdullah b. Salim) said: It is Allah Who knows best about the people of Paradise. I would, however, narrate to you as to why they said like it. (The story is) that while I was asleep (one night) there came to me a person (in the dream) who asked me to stand up. (So I stood up) and he caught hold of my hand and I walked along with him, and, lo, I found some paths on my left and I was about to set out upon them. Thereupon he said to me Do not set yourself on (them) for these are the paths of the leftists (denizens of Hell-fire). Then there were paths leading to the right side, whereupon he said: Set yourself on these paths. We came across a hill and he said to me: Climb up, and I attempted to climb up that I fell upon my buttocks. I made several attempts (but failed to succeed). He led until he came to a pillar (so high) that its upper end touched the sky and its base was in the earth. And there was a handhold at its upper end. He said to me Climb over it. I said: How can I climb upon it, as its upper end touches the sky? He cought hold of my hand and pushed me up and I found myself suspended with the handhold. He then struck the pillar and it fell down, but I remained attached to that handhold until it was morning (and the dream was thus over). I came to Allah's Apostle ﷺ and narrated it to him. He said: So far as the paths which you saw on your left are concerned, these are paths of the leftists (denizens of Hell) and the paths which you saw on your right, these are the paths of the rightists (the dwellers of Paradise) and the mountain represents the destination of the martyrs which you would not be able to attain. The pillar implies the pillar of Islam. and so far as the handhold is concerned, it implies the handhold of Islam, and you would hold to it fastly until you would meet death. (Using translation from Muslim 2484c)   

أَنْ يَنْظُرَ إِلَى رَجُلٍ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ فَلْيَنْظُرْ إِلَى هَذَا قَالَ قُلْتُ وَاللَّهِ لَأَتْبَعَنَّهُ فَلَأَعْلَمَنَّ بَيْتَهُ قَالَ فَتَبِعْتُهُ فَانْطَلَقَ حَتَّى كَادَ أَنْ يَخْرُجَ مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ دَخَلَ مَنْزِلَهُ فَاسْتَأْذَنْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَأَذِنَ لِي فَقَالَ مَا حَاجَتُكَ يَا ابْنَ أَخِي؟ قُلْتُ إِنِّي سَمِعْتُ الْقَوْمَ يَقُولُونَ لَمَّا قُمْتَ مَنْ سَرَّهُ أَنْ يَنْظُرَ إِلَى رَجُلٍ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ فَلْيَنْظُرْ إِلَى هَذَا فَأَعْجَبَنِي أَنْ أَكُونَ مَعَكَ قَالَ اللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِأَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ وَسَأُخْبِرُكَ مِمَّا قَالُوا ذَلِكَ إِنِّي بَيْنَا أَنَا نَائِمٌ أَتَانِي رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ قُمْ فَأَخَذَ بِيَدِي فَانْطَلَقْتُ مَعَهُ فَإِذَا أَنَا بِجَوَادٍ عَنْ شِمَالِي فَأَخَذْتُ لِآخُذَ فِيهَا فَقَالَ لِي لَا تَأْخُذْ فِيهَا فَإِنَّهَا طُرُقُ أَصْحَابِ الشِّمَالِ قَالَ وَإِذَا جَوَادٌ مَنْهَجٌ عَنْ يَمِينِي قَالَ لِي خُذْ هَاهُنَا فَأَتَى بِي جَبَلًا فَقَالَ لِي اصْعَدْ فَوْقَ هَذَا فَجَعَلْتُ إِذَا أَرَدْتُ أَنْ أَصْعَدَ خَرَرْتُ عَلَى اسْتِي حَتَّى فَعَلْتُهُ مِرَارًا ثُمَّ انْطَلَقَ حَتَّى أَتَى بِي عَمُودًا رَأْسُهُ فِي السَّمَاءِ وَأَسْفَلُهُ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَأَعْلَاهُ حَلْقَةٌ فَقَالَ لِي اصْعَدْ فَوْقَ هَذَا فَقُلْتُ كَيْفَ أَصْعَدُ فَوْقَ هَذَا وَرَأْسُهُ فِي السَّمَاءِ؟ فَأَخَذَ بِيَدِي فَزَحَلَ بِي فَإِذَا أَنَا مُتَعَلِّقٌ بِالْحَلْقَةِ ثُمَّ ضَرَبَ الْعَمُودَ فَخَرَّ وَبَقِيتُ مُتَعَلِّقًا بِالْحَلْقَةِ حَتَّى أَصْبَحْتُ فَأَتَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ فَقَصَصْتُهَا عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ «أَمَّا الطَّرِيقُ الَّذِي رَأَيْتَ عَلَى يَسَارِكَ فَهِيَ طَرِيقُ أَصْحَابِ الشِّمَالِ وَأَمَّا الطَّرِيقُ الَّذِي رَأَيْتَ عَنْ يَمِينِكَ فَهِيَ طَرِيقُ أَصْحَابِ الْيَمِينِ وَالْجَبَلُ هُوَ مَنَازِلُ الشُّهَدَاءِ وَلَنْ تَنَالَهُ وَأَمَّا الْعَمُودُ فَهُوَ عَمُودُ الْإِسْلَامِ وَأَمَّا الْعُرْوَةُ فَهِيَ عُرْوَةُ الْإِسْلَامِ وَلَنْ تَزَالَ مُسْتَمْسِكًا بِهَا حَتَّى تَمُوتَ»  

[Machine] I saw Umar ibn Al-Khattab before he was struck by the days in Medina. He stood with Hudhaifah ibn Al-Yaman and Uthman ibn Hunayf and said, "How have you two managed to bear the burden of the earth that it cannot bear?" They said, "We have carried it by a command that it can bear." Hudhaifah said, "If I were to carry it, it would be weakened." Uthman ibn Hunayf said, "I have carried it by a command that it can bear, without any great favor." Umar then said, "See that you have not carried the burden of the earth that it cannot bear." They said, "No." Umar said, "If Allah grants me safety, I will leave the widows of Iraq without needing any man after me." He said, "Only four things came upon him until he was struck." He said, "And between me and him, there is no one except Abdullah ibn Abbas in the morning." He said, "And he used to stand between the rows. If he saw any disorder among them, he would say, 'Stand still until there is no disorder among them.' Then he would proceed and say the takbir." He said, "And perhaps he would recite Surah Yusuf or An-Nahl or something similar in the first raka'a until the people gathered." He said, "And it was only that he would say the takbir." He said, "I heard him say, 'The dog has killed me or the dog has eaten me,' when he was stabbed. Then he flew out of the wound with a double-edged knife that would not pass by anyone to the right or left except that it would stab him, until he stabbed thirteen men and nine of them died. When he saw that, a Muslim man threw a cloak on him. When the assassin thought that he had taken hold of him, he slit his own throat." He said, "And Umar held the hand of Abdullah ibn Awf and brought him forward." He said, "Who will take care of Umar? He has seen what he has seen." He said, "Regarding the surroundings of the mosque, they did not know anything except that they had lost the voice of Umar while they were saying, 'Subhan Allah, Subhan Allah.' Abdul-Rahman ibn Awf led them in a light prayer. When they finished, Umar said, 'O Ibn Abbas, see who killed me.' He went for a while and then came back and said, 'The slave of Al-Mughirah killed him.' He said, 'Really?' After they all spoke with their tongues and prayed towards their qibla and performed the Hajj according to their rites, he was brought to his house. We then left with him." He said, "And it was as if the people had not been affected by any calamity before that day. Some were saying, 'There is no harm,' while others were saying, 'We fear for him.' So they brought some wine and he drank it, and it came out of his wound. Then they brought some milk and he drank it, and it came out of his wound. They recognized that he was dead, and he mentioned this incident in his will and in the command to consult each other."  

رَأَيْتُ عُمَرَ بْنَ الْخَطَّابِ ؓ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُصَابَ بِأَيَّامٍ بِالْمَدِينَةِ وَقَفَ عَلَى حُذَيْفَةَ بْنِ الْيَمَانِ وَعُثْمَانَ بْنِ حُنَيْفٍ فَقَالَ كَيْفَ فَعَلْتُمَا تَخَافَانِ أَنْ تَكُونَا قَدْ حَمَّلْتُمَا الْأَرْضَ مَا لَا تُطِيقُ؟ قَالَا حَمَّلْنَاهَا أَمْرًا هِيَ لَهُ مُطِيقَةٌ وَقَالَ حُذَيْفَةُ لَوْ حَمَّلْتُ عَلَيْهَا أُضْعِفَتْ وَقَالَ عُثْمَانُ بْنُ حُنَيْفٍ حَمَّلْتُهَا أَمْرًا هِيَ لَهُ مُطِيقَةٌ مَا فِيهَا كَبِيرُ فَضْلٍ قَالَ انْظُرْ أَلَّا تَكُونَا حَمَّلْتُمَا الْأَرْضَ مَا لَا تُطِيقُ قَالَا لَا فَقَالَ عُمَرُ ؓ لَئِنْ سَلَّمَنِي اللهُ لَأَدَعَنَّ أَرَامِلَ الْعِرَاقِ لَا يَحْتَجْنَ إِلَى رَجُلٍ بَعْدِي قَالَ فَمَا أَتَتْ عَلَيْهِ إِلَّا أَرْبَعَةٌ حَتَّى أُصِيبَ قَالَ وَإِنِّي لَقَائِمٌ مَا بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَهُ إِلَّا عَبْدُ اللهِ بْنُ عَبَّاسٍ غَدَاةَ أُصِيبَ قَالَ وَكَانَ إِذَا مَرَّ بَيْنَ الصَّفَّيْنِ قَامَ فَإِنْ رَأَى خَلَلًا قَالَ اسْتَوُوا حَتَّى إِذَا لَمْ يَرَ فِيهِمْ خَلَلًا تَقَدَّمَ فَكَبَّرَ قَالَ وَرُبَّمَا قَرَأَ بِسُورَةِ يُوسُفَ أَوِ النَّحْلِ أَوْ نَحْوِ ذَلِكَ فِي الرَّكْعَةِ الْأُولَى حَتَّى يَجْتَمِعَ النَّاسُ قَالَ فَمَا هُوَ إِلَّا أَنْ كَبَّرَ قَالَ فَسَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ قَتَلَنِي الْكَلْبُ أَوْ أَكَلَنِي الْكَلْبُ حِينَ طَعَنَهُ فَطَارَ الْعِلْجُ بِالسِّكِّينِ ذَاتِ طَرَفَيْنِ لَا يَمُرُّ عَلَى أَحَدٍ يَمِينًا وَلَا شِمَالًا إِلَّا طَعَنَهُ حَتَّى طَعَنَ ثَلَاثَةَ عَشَرَ رَجُلًا فَمَاتَ مِنْهُمْ تِسْعَةٌ فَلَمَّا رَأَى ذَلِكَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ طَرَحَ عَلَيْهِ بُرْنُسًا فَلَمَّا ظَنَّ الْعِلْجُ أَنَّهُ مَأْخُوذٌ نَحَرَ نَفْسَهُ قَالَ وَتَنَاوَلَ عُمَرُ يَدَ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ عَوْفٍ ؓ ا فَقَدَّمَهُ قَالَ فَمَنْ يلِي عُمَرَ ؓ فَقَدْ رَأَى الَّذِي رَأَى وَأَمَّا نَوَاحِي الْمَسْجِدِ فَإِنَّهُمْ لَا يَدْرُونَ غَيْرَ أَنَّهُمْ فَقَدُوا صَوْتَ عُمَرَ ؓ وَهُمْ يَقُولُونَ سُبْحَانَ اللهِ سُبْحَانَ اللهِ قَالَ فَصَلَّى بِهِمْ عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ عَوْفٍ ؓ صَلَاةً خَفِيفَةً فَلَمَّا انْصَرَفُوا قَالَ يَا ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ انْظُرْ مَنْ قَتَلَنِي فَجَالَ سَاعَةً ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَقَالَ غُلَامُ الْمُغِيرَةِ فَقَالَ الصَّنِعُ؟ قَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ قَاتَلَهُ اللهُ لَقَدْ كُنْتُ أَمَرْتُ بِهِ مَعْرُوفًا فَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي لَمْ يجْعَلْ مِيتَتِي بِيَدِ رَجُلٍ يَدَّعِي الْإِسْلَامَ وَقَالَ قَدْ كُنْتَ أَنْتَ وَأَبُوكَ تُحِبَّانِ أَنْ تَكْثُرَ الْعُلُوجُ بِالْمَدِينَةِ قَالَ وَكَانَ الْعَبَّاسُ ؓ أَكْثَرَهُمْ رَقِيقًا فَقَالَ إِنْ شِئْتَ فَعَلْنَا أَيْ إِنْ شِئْتَ قَتَلْنَا قَالَ كَذَبْتَ بَعْدَمَا تَكَلَّمُوا بِلِسَانِكُمْ وَصَلَّوْا قِبْلَتَكُمْ وَحَجُّوا حَجَّكُمْ فَاحْتُمِلَ إِلَى بَيْتِهِ فَانْطَلَقْنَا مَعَهُ قَالَ وَكَأَنَّ النَّاسَ لَمْ تُصِبْهُمْ مُصِيبَةٌ قَبْلَ يَوْمَئِذٍ فَقَائِلٌ يَقُولُ لَا بَأْسَ وَقَائِلٌ يَقُولُ نَخَافُ عَلَيْهِ فَأُتِيَ بِنَبِيذٍ فَشَرِبَهُ فَخَرَجَ مِنْ جُرْحِهِ ثُمَّ أُتِيَ بِلَبَنٍ فَشَرِبَهُ فَخَرَجَ مِنْ جُرْحِهِ فَعَرَفُوا أَنَّهُ مَيِّتٌ وَذَكَرَ الْحَدِيثَ فِي وَصَايَاهُ وَأَمْرِ الشُّورَى  

"عن البراء بن عازب قال: "اشْتَرَى أبُو بَكْرٍ مِن عَازِبٍ سَرْجًا بِثَلاثَةَ عَشَرَ دِرْهَمًا، فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ لِعَازِبٍ: مُرِ الْبَرَاءَ فَيَحْمِلَهُ إِلَى مَنْزِلِى، فَقَالَ: لا؛ حَتَّى تُحَدِّثَنَا كَيْفَ صَنَعْتَ حِينَ خَرَجَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ وَأَنْتَ مَعَهُ، فَقَالَ أبُو بَكْرٍ: خَرَجْنَا فَأدْلَجْنَا فَأَحْثَثْنَا يَوْمَنَا وَلَيْلَتَنَا حَتَّى أَظْهَرْنَا وَقَامَ قَائِمُ الظَّهِيرَةِ فَضَربْتُ بِبَصَرِى هَلْ أَرَى ظِلا نَأوِى إِلَيْهِ، فَإِذَا أَنَا بِصَخْرَةٍ، فَأَهْوَيْتُ إِلَيْهَا، فَإِذَا بَقِيَّةُ ظِلِّهَا فَسَوَّيْتُهُ لِرَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ وَفَرَشْتُ لَهُ فَرْوَةً وَقُلْتُ: اضْطجِعْ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ، فَاضْطَجَعَ، ثُمَّ خَرَجْتُ (أَنْظُرُ) (*) هَلْ أَرَى أَحَدًا مِنَ الطَّلَبِ، فَإِذَا أَنَا بَرَاعِى غَنَمٍ، فَقُلْتُ: لِمَنْ أَنْتَ يَا غُلامُ؟ فَقَالَ: لِرَجُلٍ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ، فَسَمَّاهُ فَعَرَفْتُهُ، فَقُلْتُ: فَهَلْ فِى غَنَمِكَ مِنْ لَبَنٍ؟ قَالَ: نَعَمْ، قُلْتُ: هَلْ أَنْتَ حَالبٌ لِي؟ قَالَ: نَعَمْ، فَأَمَرْتُهُ فَاعْتَقَلَ شَاةً مِنْهَا، ثُمَّ أَمَرْتُهُ فَنَفضَ ضِرْعَهَا مِنَ الْغُبَارِ، ثُمَّ أَمَرْتُهُ فَنَفَضَ كَفَّيْهِ مِنَ الْغُبَارِ وَمَعِى إِدَاوَةٌ عَلَى فَمِهَا خِرْقَةٌ فَحَلَبَ لِى كُثْبَةً مِنَ اللَّبَنِ، فَصَبَبْتُ - يَعْنِى الْمَاءَ - عَلَى الْقَدَحِ حَتَّى بَرَدَ أَسْفَلُهُ، ثُمَّ أَتَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ فَوَافَيْتُهُ وَقَدِ اسْتَيْقَظَ فَقُلْتُ: اشْرَبْ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ، فَشَرِبَ حَتَّى رَضِيتُ، ثُمَّ قُلتُ: هَلْ أتَى الرَّحِيل؟ فَارْتَحَلْنَا وَالْقَوْمُ يَطْلُبُونَنَا، فَلَمْ يُدْرِكْنَا أَحَدٌ مِنْهُمْ إِلا سُرَاقَةُ بْنُ مَالِكِ بن جُعْشُمٍ عَلَى فَرَسٍ لَهُ، فَقُلتُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ! هَذَا الطَّلَبُ قَدْ لَحِقَنَا فَقَالَ: لا تَحْزَنْ إِنَّ اللهَ مَعَنَا، حَتَّى إِذَا دَنَا مِنَّا فَكَانَ بَيْنَنَا (وبينة) (*) قَدْرُ رُمْحٍ اوْ رُمْحَيْنِ أَوْ ثَلاثَةٍ، فَقُلْتُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ! هَذَا الطَّلَبُ قَدْ لَحِقَنَا، وَبَكَيْتُ، قَالَ: لِمَ تَبْكِى؟ فَقُلْتُ: أَمَا وَاللهِ عَلَى نَفْسِى مَا أَبْكِى، وَلَكِنِّى أَبْكِى عَلَيْكَ، فَدَعَا عَلَيْهِ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ: اللَّهُمَ اكْفِنَاهُ بِمَا شِئْتَ، فَسَاخَتْ قَوَائِمُ فَرَسِهِ إِلَى بَطْنِهَا فِي أَرْضٍ صَلْدٍ وَوَثَبِ عَنْهَا، وَقَالَ: يَا مُحَمَّدُ! قَدْ عَلِمْتُ أَنَّ هَذَا عَمَلُكَ فَادْعُ اللهَ أَنْ يُنَجَّيَنِى مِمَّا أنَا فِيهِ، فَوَاللهِ لأُعَمِّيَنَّ عَلَى مَنْ وَرَائِى مِنَ الطَّلَبِ، وَهَذِهِ كِنَايَتِى فَخُذْ مِنْهَا سَهْمًا، فَإِنَّكَ سَتَمُرُّ بِإِبِلِى وَغَنَمِى فِى مَوْضِعِ كَذَا وَكَذَا فَخُذْ مِنْهَا حَاجَتكَ، فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ لَا حَاجَة لِى فِيهَا، وَدَعَا لَهُ رَسُولُ الله ﷺ فَأُطْلِقَ وَرَجَعَ إِلَى أَصْحَابِهِ، وَمَضى رَسُولُ

اللهِ ﷺ وَأَنَا مَعَهُ حَتَّى قَدِمْنَا الْمَدِينَةَ لَيْلًا، فَتَلَقَّاهُ النَّاسُ، فَخَرَجُوا فِى الطَّريقِ وَعَلَى الأَحَاجِيرِ، وَاشتَدَّ الْخَدَمُ وَالصِّبْيَانُ فِى الطَّرِيقِ (يَقُولَونَ) (*): اللهُ أَكْبَرُ، جَاءَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ : جَاءَ مُحَمَّدٌ، وَتَنَازَعَ الْقَوْمُ أَيُّهُمْ يَنْزِلُ عَلَيْهِ، فَقَالَ رَسُولُ الله ﷺ أَنْزِلُ اللَّيْلَةَ عَلَى بَنِى النَّجَّارِ أَخْوَالِ عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ لأُكْرِمَهُمْ بِذَلِكَ، فَلَمَّا أصْبَحَ غَدَا حَيْثُ أُمِرَ".  

"عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ سَلَامٍ قَالَ: بَيْنَا أَنَا نَائِمٌ إِذْ أَتَانِى رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ لِى: قُمْ، فَأَخَذَ بِيَدِى، فَانْطَلَقْتُ مَعَهُ، فَإِذَا أنَا بِجَوَادٍ عَنْ شِمَالِى. فَقَالَ: لَا تَأخُذْ فِيهَا فَإِنَّهَا طُرُقُ أصْحَابِ الشِّمَالِ، وَإذَا أَنَا بِجَوَادٍ عَنْ يَمِينِى، فَقَالَ لِى: خُذْ هَاهُنَا، وَأَتَى جَبَلًا فَقَالَ لِى: اصْعَدْ، فَجَعَلتُ إِذَا أَرَدْتُ أَصْعَدُ خَرَرْتُ عَلَى اسْتِى، فَعَلتُ ذَلِكَ مِرَارًا، تُمَّ انْطَلَقَ بِى حَتَّى أَتَى بِى عَمُودًا رَأسُهُ فِى السَّمَاءِ وَأَسْفَلُهُ فِى الأَرْضِ، وَفِى أَعْلَاهُ حَلَقَةٌ، فَقَالَ لِى: اصْعَدْ فَوْقَ هَذَا، فَقُلتُ لَهُ: كَيْفَ أَصْعَدُ فَوْقَ هَذَا وَرَأسُهُ فِى السَّمَاءِ؟ فَأَخَذَ بِيَدِى فَرَحَلَ بِى فَإِذَا أَنَا مُتَعَلِّقٌ بِالْحَلَقَةِ، ثُمَّ ضَرَبَ الْعَمُودَ فَخَرَّ وَبَقِيتُ مُتَعَلِّقًا بِالْحَلَقَةِ حَتَّى أَصْبَحْتُ، فَأَتَيْتُ النَّبِىَّ ﷺ فَقَصَصْتُهُ عَلَيْهِ، فَقَالَ: أَمَّا الطُّرُقُ الَّتِى عَنْ يَمِينِكَ فَهِىَ طُرُقُ أَصْحَابِ الْيَمِينِ، وَأَمَّا الْجَبَلُ فَهُوَ مَنَازِلُ الشُّهَدَاءِ وَلَنْ تَنَالَهُ، وَأَمَّا الْعَمُودُ فَهُوَ عَمُودُ الإسْلَامِ، وَأَمَّا الْعُرْوَةُ فَهِىَ عُرْوَةُ الإِسْلَامِ، لَمْ تَزَلْ مُتَمَسِّكًا بِهِ حَتَّى بِهِ حَتَّى تَمُوتَ، ثُمَّ قَالَ: أَتَدْرِى كَيْفَ خَلَقَ الله آدَمَ؟ فَقَالَ: يَلِدُ فُلَانٌ فُلانًا، وَيَلِدُ فُلَانٌ فُلانًا أَجَلُهُ كَذَا وَكَذَا، وَعَمَلُهُ كَذا وَكَذَا، وَرِزْقُهُ كَذَا وَكَذَا، ثُمَّ يَنْفُخُ فِيهِ الرُّوحَ".