Sayyiduna Ubadah bin al-Samit (may Allah be pleased with him) relates: "Once the Companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) found the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) missing. Whenever they made camp, they would keep the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in their midst. They became alarmed and assumed that perhaps Allah Almighty had chosen other companions for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) instead of them. Meanwhile, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) appeared in front of them. When those people saw the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), they said the takbir (Allahu Akbar) and said: 'O Messenger of Allah, we were worried that Allah Almighty might have chosen other companions for you instead of us.' The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'No! Rather, you are my companions in this world and the Hereafter. Allah Almighty woke me and said: "O Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), every Prophet and Messenger whom I sent asked Me one particular request, and I granted it to him. O Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), you too ask, and you will be given." I said: "My request is for intercession for my Ummah on the Day of Resurrection."'" Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "O Messenger of Allah, what is the intercession?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "I said: 'O my Lord, my intercession is that which I am keeping safe with You.' The Lord said: 'Very well.' Then the Lord will bring the rest of my Ummah out of Hell and admit them into Paradise."
Ahmad and al-Tabarani recorded it; the narrators of Ahmad are thiqat (trustworthy), although there is weakness in some of the narrators.
Hadith Referenceمجمع الزوائد ومنبع الفوائد / كتاب البعث / 18487
Hadith Gradingمحدثین:إسنادہ حسن
Hadith Takhrij«اخرجه احمد فى المسند (325/5) ، أخرجه مسند أحمد برقم: 22265»