Musnad Abi Ya'la 2565 — a man came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) that a man came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and said: "O Messenger of Allah, I saw (in a dream) a cloud dripping ghee and honey, and the people were gathering it in their hands: some took much, some took little, and some were in between. And it was as if a rope had been let down from the sky; then you came and took hold of it and rose up, and Allah Almighty raised you high. Then another man came after you, took hold of it as well, rose up, and Allah raised him. Then another man came after you two, took hold of it and rose up as well. Then another man came after all of you and took hold of it, and the rope broke; then it was joined for him, and he rose up as well, and Allah raised him high." At this Sayyiduna Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "O Messenger of Allah, permit me to interpret it." He gave him permission, and he said: "The cloud is Islam; the ghee and honey are the sweetness and delight of the Qur'an; the rope is the truth and guidance on which you stand: you hold fast to it, so Allah will raise you. Then after you a man will follow your way, and he too will attain a high rank. Then after you two another man will come who will follow in the footsteps of you both, and he too will be raised. Then after all of you another man will come who will be on your way, but in his case the rope will break; then it will be joined for him, and he too will rise, and Allah will raise him high." Then he asked: "O Messenger of Allah, did I interpret it correctly?" He said: "You were right in part and wrong in part." He said: "O Messenger of Allah, I adjure you to tell me (my mistake)." He said: "Do not swear."