Ibn Hibban

Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “There are some angels of Allah Almighty who are apart from those who record people’s deeds. They roam the roads and search for gatherings of remembrance. When they see some people remembering Allah Almighty, they call out to each other: ‘Come to what you seek!’ Then they cover them with their wings up to the sky. Their Lord asks them, although He knows best about them: ‘What are My servants saying?’ The angels reply: ‘O our Lord! They are glorifying You and praising You.’ The Lord asks: ‘Have they seen Me?’ The angels reply: ‘No.’ The Lord asks: ‘If they had seen Me, what would have happened?’ The angels reply: ‘If they had seen You, they would have glorified, exalted, and praised You even more intensely.’ The Lord asks: ‘What are they asking for?’ The angels reply: ‘O our Lord! They are asking You for Paradise.’ The Lord asks: ‘Have they seen it?’ They reply: ‘No.’ The Lord says: ‘If they had seen it, what would have happened?’ The angels reply: ‘If they had seen it, they would have sought it even more intensely and would have been even more eager for it.’ The Lord asks: ‘From what are they seeking refuge?’ The angels reply: ‘They are seeking refuge from Hell.’ The Lord asks: ‘Have they seen it?’ The angels reply: ‘No.’ The Lord asks: ‘If they had seen it, what would have happened?’ The angels reply: ‘If they had seen it, they would have sought refuge from it even more intensely.’ Then the Lord says: ‘I make you witnesses that I have forgiven these people.’”