Hadith 6283

Ibn `Umar reported God's messenger as saying, "Your appointed period in relation to that of peoples who have passed away is just the time between the afternoon prayer and sunset. A comparison between you and the Jews and Christians is like a man who employed labourers and said, `Who will work for me till midday for a qirat each?' The Jews worked till midday for a qirat each, and then he said, `Who will work for me from midday till the afternoon prayer for a qirat each?' The Christians worked from midday till the afternoon prayer for a qirat each, and then he said, `Who will work for me from the afternoon prayer till sunset for two qirat each?' I assure you that you are the ones who work from the afternoon prayer till sunset and that you will have the reward twice over. The Jews and Christians were angry and said, `We have done more work and received less pay,' but God most high asked, `Have I wronged you in any respect regarding what was due to you?' When they admitted that He had not, God most high said, `It is my extra favour which I grant to whomsoever I will.'" Bukhari transmitted it.