Lu'lu' wal-Marjan

Narrated Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: There are some angels of Allah who roam the roads and search for those who remember Allah. When they find some people who are remembering Allah, they call out to each other, “Come, our purpose has been fulfilled.” Then they cover them with their wings up to the first heaven. Then, when it is finished, they return to their Lord. Then their Lord asks them—though He knows best about His servants—“What were My servants saying?” They reply, “They were glorifying You, declaring Your greatness, praising You, and exalting You.” Then Allah asks, “Have they seen Me?” They reply, “No, by Allah! They have not seen You.” Upon this, Allah says, “What would their state be if they had seen Me?” They reply, “If they had seen You, they would worship You even more, exalt You even more, and glorify You even more.” Then Allah asks, “What do they ask of Me?” The angels say, “They ask You for Paradise.” It is reported that Allah asks, “Have they seen Paradise?” The angels reply, “No, by Allah, O Lord! They have not seen Your Paradise.” It is reported that Allah asks, “What would their state be if they had seen it?” The angels reply, “If they had seen it, they would desire it even more, seek it most earnestly, and long for it the most.” Then Allah asks, “From what do they seek refuge?” The angels reply, “From Hellfire.” Allah asks, “Have they seen Hell?” They reply, “No, by Allah, they have not seen it.” Allah says, “What would their state be if they had seen it?” They reply, “If they had seen it, they would flee from it the most and fear it the most.” Upon this, Allah says, “I make you witnesses that I have forgiven them.” The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said that upon this, one of the angels said, “Among them is so-and-so who is not one of them (the people remembering Allah), but came for some need.” Allah says, “These are such people that even the one who sits with them will not be deprived (of mercy).”