Musnad Abi Ya'la 1298 — the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Among

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Sa'id (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Among the people who passed away before you was a man to whom Allah Almighty had granted an abundance of wealth and children. When his death approached, he called his sons and asked: 'What kind of father have I been to you?' They replied: 'You were the best of fathers.' He said: 'But by Allah, this man never stored up any good deed with Allah. So when I die, burn me; then, when I become charcoal, grind me finely; then scatter me in the air on a day of violent storm wind.'" The Prophet of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "That man took firm pledges from his sons on this, and by my Lord, they did exactly that: when he died, they burned him until, when he became charcoal, they ground him and scattered him on a day of fierce wind." He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Then his Lord commanded him: 'Be,' and at once he stood up as a complete man. His Lord asked him: 'What made you do what you did?' He said: 'O my Lord, I was afraid of Your punishment.'" He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "By the One in whose hand is the soul of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), at that moment it was Allah's forgiveness alone that took him into its embrace (that is, Allah forgave him)." Qatadah (may Allah have mercy on him) says: This was a man who feared the punishment of Allah, so Allah saved him because of his fear.