Book 9: Supplications

‘Abdallah b. ‘Umar said: When we were with the Prophet (ﷺ) on one of his expeditions he came upon some people and asked who they were, to which they replied that they were Muslims. A woman who had a son of hers with her was kindling a fire under her pot, and when the heat increased she moved him away. She then went to the Prophet (ﷺ) and asked, “Are you God’s messenger?” On his replying that he was, she said, “You for whom I would give my father and mother as ransom, tell me if God is not the most merciful of those who are merciful.” He replied that He certainly is, and she asked, “Is God not more merciful to His servants than a mother to her child?” and when he assured her that He certainly is, she replied that a mother does not cast her child into the fire. God’s messenger then bowed his head and wept, and afterwards raised it, looked at her and said, “God punishes only those of His servants who act audaciously towards Him and refuse to say that there is no god but God.” Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Thauban reported the Prophet (ﷺ) as saying that a servant seeks to please God and keeps on doing so, then God who is great and glorious says to Gabriel, “My servant so and so seeks to please me, therefore my mercy had descended on him.” Gabriel says, “God’s mercy has descended on so and so,” and the bearers of the Throne and those who are around them say it until the inhabitants of the seven heavens say it, after which it comes down to him on the earth. Ahmad transmitted it.

In connection with God’s words, “Among them are some who wrong themselves, some who follow a middle course, and some who are foremost in good deeds,” [Quran 35:32] Usama b. Zaid reported the Prophet (ﷺ) as saying, “They will all go to paradise.” Baihaqi transmitted it in Kitab al-ba'th wan-nushur.