Selected Sayings of The Holy Prophet of Islam — Page 7
9. Abu Hurairah, God be pleased with him, narrates that the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: To Allah belong some angels of high rank who are always on the move in search of people who assemble for the purpose of remembering Allah. When they come upon an assembly engaged in the remembrance of Allah The Almighty, the angels begin to join them, extending their wings over them, hovering one upon another until the space between the earth and the nearest heaven is filled with their presence. When people disperse, they too depart ascending back to heaven. Then The Almighty asks them, (while He knows full well what had happened), 'Where do you come from?' They answer, 'We come from some servants of Thine who were exalting Thee, extolling Thy greatness, proclaiming Thy Unity, glorifying Thee and supplicating Thee. 'Then The Almighty enquires, 'What did they beg of me?' The angels say, 'They were begging Thee for Thy paradise. ' Then Allah enquires, 'Have they seen My paradise?' The angels reply, 'No, our Lord, they have not seen Thy paradise'. 'What if they had seen My paradise!' exclaims Allah. 'They also seek refuge in Thee,' continue the angels. Allah says, 'From what do they seek My refuge?' 'From Thy fire,' they reply. Allah asks, 'Have they seen My fire?' The angels reply, 'No, they have not. ' 'What if they had seen My fire!' exclaims Allah. Then the angels say, 'They ask for Thy forgiveness. ' Allah replies, 7