living islam _ Islamic tradition

Abu Hurairah (radiallhu anhu) narrates
that the Prophet (sallahu alaihiwasalam) said:

"There is a group of Allaah's angels who move about the streets searching
for the people who mention Allaah (azzawajal). When they find a group doing
that, they call each other, "Here is what you are looking for."
Then they cover that group with their wings right up to the sky.

When these angels return to the heavens, their Lord asks them,
although He knows the answer, "What were My Servants saying?"

They say, "They were describing Your holiness and greatness,
and were busy praising and glorifying You."

Allaah (azzawajal) then asks, "Have they seen Me?"
The angels reply, "By Allaah! They have not seen You."

Allaah (azzawajal) says, "What would they have done if they could see me?"
The angels reply,
"They would then be even more busy in their worship, glorification, and praise."

Then Allaah (azzawajal) asks, "What did they want from Me?"
The angels reply, "They asked You for Jannah (Heaven)."

Allaah (azzawajal) says, "Have they seen it?" They answer,
"No, by You! They have not seen it."

Allah (azzawajal) says, "What would they have done if they had seen it?"
The angels answer, "Had they seen it, they would desire it more eagerly,
and would work harder to deserve it."

Then Allaah (azzawajal) asks,
"From what thing did they want Me to protect them?"
The angels answer, "They wanted to be protected from Hell."

Allaah (azzawajal) says, "Have they seen it?"
They answer, "No, by You! They have not seen it."

Allaah (azzawajal) says, "What would they have done if they had seen it?"
The angels answer, "Had they seen it, they would have feared it and run from it even more."

Then Allaah (azzawajal) says, "Be My witnesses: I have forgiven them!"

One of the angels then says,
"But among them was a person who is not one of them.
He had simply come for something he needed."

Allaah (azzawajal) says, "I have forgiven him too, just because he happened
to sit with them. Anyone who sits with those people will not be a loser."

Sahih Al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim

by
Basharat Hussain <bah@_____>