Al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 4589 — The first thing with which Allah

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Mu'adh bin Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If you wish, I will inform you of the first thing that Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, will say to the believers on the Day of Resurrection, and also of the first thing that they (the believers) will say to Allah." The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) said: "Yes, O Messenger of Allah!" Then he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Indeed, Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, will say to the believers on the Day of Resurrection: 'Did you love meeting Me?' They will say: 'Yes, O our Lord!' Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, will ask: 'For what reason (did you long to meet Me)?' They will say: 'Rajawna 'afwaka wa maghfirataka' (We hoped for Your pardon, forbearance and forgiveness). Then Allah Almighty will say: 'Then now I have certainly made My mercy binding and obligatory for you.'"
Imam Ahmad recorded this hadith in his Musnad (22055) and Abu Ya'la in his Musnad; some hadith scholars have criticised its chain because of Ubaydullah bin Zahr and Ali bin Yazid al-Alhani, but on the basis of other supporting reports its meaning and content are reliable.