The importance of being with good company

[ncarolinahs]

Narrated by Abu Huraira (Radiallahu Anhu):

Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

"There is a group of Allah's angels who move about the streets searching for the people who mention Allah. 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."

Allah then asks, "Have they seen Me?" The angels reply, "By Allah! They have not seen You."

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

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

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

Allah says, "Have they seen it?" They answer, "No, by You! They have not seen it."

Allah 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 Allah 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."

Allah 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 Bukhari Volume 8:417)