(People going to the prophets to start the reckoning on the Day of Judgment)

He reported God's messenger as saying, "When the day of resurrection comes mankind will be in confusion and will go to Adam and say, `Intercede with your Lord,' and he will reply, `I am not capable, but go to Abraham, for he is the friend of the Compassionate One.' They will go to Abraham and he will say, `I am not capable, but go to Moses, for he is God's interlocutor.' They will then go to Moses and he will say, `I am not capable, but go to Jesus, for he is God's spirit and word.' They will then go to Jesus and he will say, `I am not capable, but go to Muhammad.' Then they will come to me and, saying I am capable, I shall ask permission to enter my Lord's presence. When this is granted He will teach me certain utterances of praise which I do not know at present, and I shall use them and fall down prostrating myself. Then will be said, `Raise your head, Muhammad. If you speak you will be listened to, if you make a request it will be granted, and if you make intercession it will be accepted." I shall then say, `0 my Lord, my people, my people,' and shall be told to go away and bring forth from hell those in whose hearts there is as much faith as a grain of barley. I shall go and do so, after which I shall return and use those utterances of praise, then fall down prostrating myself Then will be said, `Raise your head, Muhammad. If you speak you will be listened to, if you make a request it will be granted, and if you make intercession it will be accepted.' I shall then say, `0 my Lord, my people, my people,' and shall be told to go away and bring forth from hell those in whose hearts there is as much faith as a mote or a grain of mustard-seed. I shall go and do so, after which I shall return and use those utterances of praise, then fall down prostrating myself. Then will be said, `Raise your head, Muhammad. If you speak you will be listened to, if you make a request it will be granted, and if you make intercession it will be accepted.' I shall then say, `0 my Lord, my people, my people, and shall be told to go away and bring forth from hell those in whose hearts there is as much faith as the smallest smallest, smallest grain of mustard-seed. I shall go and do so, after which I shall return a fourth time and use those utterances of praise then fall down prostrating myself. Then will be said, `Raise your head, Muhammad. If you speak you will be listened to, if you make a request it will be granted, arid if you make intercession it will be accepted.' I shall then say, `0 my Lord, grant me permission regard - ing those who have said there is no god but God,' and He will reply, `You have no business with this, but by my might, glory, pride and greatness, I will certainly bring out of it those who have said there is no god but God'." (Bukhari and Muslim.)