Al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 4583 — The intercession of the believers

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Two men were travelling through a scorching desert; one of them was very devoted to worship, while the other had some waywardness and shortcomings (rahaq) in his deeds. The worshipper was overcome by severe thirst and collapsed. His companion, seeing him lying senseless on the ground, said (to himself): 'By Allah, if this righteous servant of Allah dies of thirst while I have water with me, I will never attain any good from Allah; and if I give him my water to drink, I will surely die (of thirst) myself.' At last he put his trust in Allah Almighty and made a firm resolve (to prefer the other over himself). So he sprinkled some of his water on the worshipper and gave him the rest to drink, and the worshipper came round and stood up, until the two of them crossed that wilderness." He (peace and blessings be upon him) further said: "Then on the Day of Resurrection that sinful man will be presented for the reckoning and the order of Hell will be passed regarding him. As the angels are driving him along, he will see that worshipper and call out: 'O so-and-so, do you recognise me?' The worshipper will say: 'Who are you?' He will reply: 'I am the man who preferred you over myself on the day in the desert.' The worshipper will say: 'Yes! I recognise you.' Then he will say to the angels: 'Stop!' So he will be stopped, and the worshipper will present himself in the divine court and plead with his Lord: 'Ya Rabbi, qad ta'rifu yadahu indi, wa kayfa atharani ala nafsihi, ya Rabbi, hab-hu li' (O my Lord, You know well the favour he did me and how he preferred me over himself; O my Lord, forgive him for my sake and grant him to me). Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, will say: 'He is yours (i.e. I have granted him to you).'" He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Then that worshipper will come, take him by the hand and admit him into Paradise."
Ja'far (the narrator) said: I asked (my teacher Abu Zilal): "Did Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) himself narrate this hadith to you?" He said: "Yes."